What to Do If Your Car Is Vandalized with Scratches?
3 Answers
Here are the steps to take if your car is maliciously scratched: 1. Confirm the Scratches: Examine the scratches on your car to determine whether they were caused by a sharp object or if there are paint marks left by another vehicle, such as a non-motorized one, to assess whether it was intentional vandalism. 2. Look for Clues: Check if other vehicles nearby have also been scratched. If only your car was targeted, try to recall if you have had any conflicts recently that might have led to retaliation. If multiple vehicles were scratched, it indicates a malicious act with serious consequences. 3. Find Witnesses: Ask people around the parking area if anyone witnessed the incident or can describe the person who vandalized the car. 4. Report to the Police: Regardless of the cause, if the perpetrator intentionally fled, it constitutes serious damage. You should immediately report the incident to the police for investigation and handling. 5. File an Insurance Claim: If your car is insured, report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Insurers typically inspect the scene, so avoid moving the vehicle to prevent invalidating the claim. 6. Precautions: Having your car scratched by someone else is frustrating. If the perpetrator is found, you can hold them accountable and seek compensation. However, if no leads are found, you may have to accept the loss. Therefore, always try to park your car within the view of surveillance cameras to facilitate investigation in case of incidents and help identify the responsible party.
That morning, as soon as I stepped out, I noticed a long scratch on the car body, which was quite upsetting. As someone who often does some car maintenance myself, I quickly moved closer to check the depth of the scratch—if it was a superficial shallow scratch, I could try DIY with a touch-up pen or special repair agent to save some repair costs; if it was deep enough to expose the primer, I would have to go to a professional body shop for a paint job. I also thought that if this damage wasn’t dealt with promptly, rainwater corrosion could cause rust, affecting the car body’s lifespan. Prevention is better than cure, so it’s best to park in monitored areas or parking lots, and installing a dashcam can serve as evidence. After the repair, applying some protective wax to the car can help avoid future incidents. The whole process made me realize that maintaining a car requires careful attention and observing the safety of the surroundings. In case of another incident, noting down license plate details or surveillance footage immediately can serve as evidence for future use.
When my car got scratched, I immediately called 110 to report it to the police, then took photos to document the damage and the surrounding area. Next, I contacted the insurance company to file a claim, and they sent someone to inspect and assess the damage. If you have collision insurance, it can cover most of the repair costs. Collecting evidence is crucial, such as surveillance footage from the neighborhood or witness information, in case the perpetrator is caught and held accountable. For prevention, I recommend avoiding parking in secluded corners and choosing spots with high foot and vehicle traffic. In the community, we remind each other and set up a WeChat group to report suspicious individuals. Although the claims process takes some time, you only need documents like the insurance policy and accident proof, but don’t delay too long to avoid worsening rust. Safety first—after repairs, try to park in well-lit areas.
