What to Do When Someone Scratches Your Car?
2 Answers
If someone scratches your car, the first thing to do after discovering it is to check if there are any surveillance cameras around where the car was parked, whether it was within the camera's coverage, or if it was a blind spot. Spotting a camera gives hope of catching the culprit. Below is a detailed guide on what to do if your car is scratched by someone: Finding the Culprit: First, check if there are any surveillance cameras around where the car was parked, whether it was within the camera's coverage, or if it was a blind spot. Seeing a camera increases the chances of catching the culprit. Next, consider where the car was parked. If it was in a residential area, go directly to the property management, explain the situation, and request to review the surveillance footage to identify the culprit. If it was in a parking lot, approach the security personnel, explain the situation, and similarly request to review the footage to find the culprit. The third scenario is if the car was parked on the roadside. In this case, if there are cameras, you should call the police and ask for their assistance in reviewing the surveillance footage to locate the culprit. Insurance Compensation: You can also seek compensation from your insurance company. This involves determining which type of insurance applies—typically, it would be collision coverage or scratch insurance. Nowadays, many people do not purchase scratch insurance. Does that mean you cannot claim compensation from the insurance company? Not necessarily. You can first report the incident to the police, ask them to issue an accident report, and then file a claim under collision coverage for about 75% of the repair cost. Paying Out of Pocket: If there are no cameras and the culprit cannot be found, before filing a claim with the insurance company, you should weigh the number of claims you have made. Compare whether the increase in next year's premium due to filing a claim is higher than the repair cost. If they are about the same or the repair cost is slightly higher, it might be better to handle it yourself, as going through the insurance process can be troublesome and time-consuming. However, if the damage to your car is severe and the repair cost could amount to thousands or even tens of thousands, it would be better to file an insurance claim.
If your car gets scratched, the first thing is to stay calm and pull over safely. Taking photos for evidence is crucial—capture the scratches and the scene from multiple angles, including the other party's license plate and your vehicle's position. If you can find witnesses or surveillance footage, even better. Then assess the damage: minor scratches can be handled yourself, like using scratch wax bought online; deeper scratches exposing metal need prompt repair to prevent rust. Filing an insurance claim is a safe bet—submit photos and an accident report, and repair costs usually run a few hundred bucks. Private negotiation works too, but make sure the other party admits fault before paying. Lastly, remember to park carefully in the future, avoiding tight spots to reduce risks. Been through this myself—handling it calmly saves both hassle and money.
