What to Do When Your Car Paint Gets Scratched by Another Vehicle?
2 Answers
If your car is scratched by another vehicle and it's the other party's fault, and they admit to settling privately, then compensation should be made based on the extent of the scratch. If the car is scratched while parked and the cause is unknown, minor scratches can often be concealed with waxing, making them generally unnoticeable, which is a more cost-effective solution. If the scratch results in a dent, it will be necessary to take the car to a repair shop for panel beating, painting, and body repair.
Don’t panic if your car paint gets scratched. I usually stop immediately to check the situation and ensure there’s no other damage. Take a few photos, including wide shots and close-ups of the scratches, and note the license plates of both vehicles. If the other party is present, politely discuss whether to settle privately or file an insurance claim. If they flee, look for surveillance footage or report to the traffic police. Then, call your insurance company to report the accident, providing location and time details—they’ll arrange an assessment and recommend repair shops. For minor scratches, save money by using a touch-up paint pen, but make sure to match the color code to avoid making it look worse. For major damage, it’s best to visit a professional shop for polishing or a full repaint to prevent rust from spreading. As a preventive measure, I park in open areas and install a dashcam to capture incidents. Acting promptly after an accident helps avoid bigger issues—experience tells me that filing an insurance claim, though slow, is hassle-free. Don’t forget to keep all receipts.
