What to Do When Your Parked Car Gets Scratched by Someone?
4 Answers
Call the insurance company to report the case or dial 110 to call the police; The insurance company's surveyor will assist the insurer in investigating the cause, nature, responsibility, and loss of the accident; Negotiate with the insurer, repair shop, or relevant parties to determine the location, items, and amount of the accident loss; Submit the claim to the insurer for processing; Compensate the insured according to the insurance contract.
After discovering a scratch on my car, the first thing to do is to stay calm and not move the vehicle. Take multiple-angle photos with your phone on the spot, including close-ups of the scratch and the surrounding environment. Then check nearby surveillance cameras—approach security guards in mall parking lots to review footage or contact property management in residential areas. If the responsible party can be identified, negotiate compensation directly. Otherwise, immediately call 122 to report to the police. The police will issue an accident report, which is crucial for insurance claims. Next, contact your insurance company to file a claim, prepare your driver’s license and vehicle registration, and have an assessor evaluate the damage. It’s advisable to park in areas with good surveillance coverage and consider installing a dashcam with parking monitoring features—this can save a lot of hassle if it happens again.
It's truly frustrating when your car gets scratched for no reason, but venting emotions won't help. I immediately took photos as evidence, paying special attention to capturing any paint fragments the other party might have left behind. At the same time, I looked around for any witnesses and noted down their contact information. Nowadays, many car insurance apps allow you to file a claim directly online—just upload the photos and wait for the claims adjuster to contact you. When repairing the car, remember to choose an authorized 4S shop and keep the repair invoice. If the responsible party can't be found, the 'Third-Party Unknown Clause' under the car damage insurance is very useful, as you basically don’t have to pay out of pocket. After this incident, I developed the habit of leaving a note when parking, making it easier for others to contact me.
When dealing with a car scratch, strategy is key. First, take 360-degree photos for evidence, paying special attention to the length and depth of the scratch, and include surrounding reference objects in the shots. Then quickly check if your dashcam captured the incident; if not installed, look for public surveillance cameras in shopping areas or roadside. After reporting to the police, cooperate fully in providing a detailed account of when and where the scratch was discovered. When filing an insurance claim, clarify whether an on-site inspection is required—minor scratches can be accumulated for a more cost-effective repair. For daily parking, it's advisable to avoid corners and intersections to reduce the risk of scratches. Keep all handling records in case of disputes.
