If you are a daily commuter then you might frequently wonder about the question: Can I claim insurance for car scratches in India?

In this article, I will tell you whether car insurance covers scratches, denting, and painting or not. Not only this but I will also tell you how you can claim insurance for these and whether it is a good idea to do so or not.

So keep reading!

Does Car Insurance Cover Scratches?

Yes, comprehensive or own-damage car insurance covers the cost of repairing the scratches on your car.

I am sure you will agree with me when I say, the road is full of idiots and you will get your car scratched no matter how carefully you drive.

If you are a daily commuter then you know this more than anyone else.

And since we all pay a good amount for car insurance every year so the first question that can arise in your mind is: Will my car insurance cover this scratch?

The answer to this question is yes and no.

Yes, your car insurance will cover the cost of repairing the scratch if you have comprehensive or first-party car insurance. Since this type of insurance is not mandatory therefore many people don’t buy them to save on the cost of yearly premiums.

On the other hand, if you have only purchased third-party insurance cover for your car then your car insurance will not cover scratches and dents. If you don’t know then let me tell you, third-party car insurance is mandatory to purchase.

Is Denting Painting Covered In Insurance?

Yes, the cost of denting and painting your car is also covered by your car Insurance. However, you need to have comprehensive or own-damage car insurance for this.

So we know that comprehensive or own-damage car insurance can cover the cost of removing scratches. But does it also cover the cost of denting and painting?

Because sometimes the higher impact of the collision can result in dents on your car, right?

The answer is again yes. Your own-damage car insurance will cover the cost of denting and painting your car. But if you have third-party car insurance only then you will have to bear the cost from your pocket.

Can I Claim Insurance For Car Scratches In India?

Yes, you can claim insurance for car scratches, denting, and painting in India if you have own-damage or comprehensive car insurance.

If you have comprehensive or own-damage car insurance then you don’t have to worry about scratches. No matter how small, you can claim your car insurance to fix them.

However, the thing that you need to understand is that the degree of insurance claim can vary. And whether you will get an insurance claim or not will also depend on the inspection of your vehicle.

How To Claim Car Insurance For Scratches In India?

As discussed, you can claim car insurance for scratches. Now the question that arises is: how to claim car insurance for scratches, denting, or painting?

Well, to claim the insurance, you have to follow the below process:

1. Firstly take your car to an authorized service center or workshop. They will help you fill out the form to file for the insurance claim.
2. Once the form is filled out, pay the insurance claim fee. This generally lies between ₹1000 to ₹2000.
3. Then the insurance company will inspect your car for damages and will approve or disapprove the insurance claim.
4. Once the claim is approved, the workshop will fix your car. And the insurance company will pay the repair cost to the workshop.
5. After receiving the payment, the workshop will then hand over your car to you.

So this is how you can claim insurance for car scratches in India.

Is It Worth Claiming On Car Insurance For A Scratch?

No, it is not worth it to claim car insurance for minor scratches. It can increase the overall cost of your car insurance in the future.

As discussed, you can claim insurance for car scratches in India. And we have also looked at the process of claiming the insurance. But the question is: Should you claim insurance for car scratches? Is it worth it?

The answer is actually a no. Because it can have adverse effects.

Let us look at them one by one.

1. Will Affect Your NCB

NCB stands for No Claim Bonus. This is the bonus that you get every year if you don’t take a claim. Every year this bonus keeps increasing and at the end of the fifth year, you can get NCB as high as 50%.

But if you take the claim for scratches then you will not get the NCB on your next year’s insurance premium. Add this to the claim filing fee, which is generally ₹2000. And you may end up paying more than the amount of repairing the scratch or dent.

Therefore before claiming your car insurance, make sure you calculate this. And if possible then pay for the repair by yourself.

2. Deductibles

Car insurance has something called deductibles. This is basically the amount the car owner has to pay during the claim settlement. It is decided at the time of purchasing the car insurance.

Therefore even if you claim car insurance to cover the cost of repairing scratches you might still have to some amount from your pocket.

3. Will Increase Your Premium

Claiming car insurance for minor scratches will also increase your car insurance premium amount in subsequent years.

Frequent insurance claims for small amounts raise a red flag for insurance companies. They think that you are somebody that is more likely to take insurance claims from them. This increases the risk on their part and hence they charge you more premium compared to other customers.

Therefore if you claim insurance for scratches then you may have to pay higher premiums from next year onwards. So you may save the money in the short term but you will end up paying more in the long term.

4. Cannot Make A Second Claim

Many companies offer only one claim in a year. And people generally, not knowingly, take these insurances because they demand less premium.

So before claiming insurance for scratches, make sure that you can take more insurance claims in that same year.

Because in case you meet with an accident after claiming insurance for scratches then you will have to bear the repairing cost of the car. You will not be able to claim insurance.

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FAQs

Can I Claim Insurance For Car Paint Damage?

Yes, you can claim insurance for car paint damage if you have the own-damage cover.

Are Car Scratches Covered By Insurance In India?

Yes, car scratches are covered by comprehensive or own damage car insurance in India.

Should I Claim For Car Scratches?

No, you should not claim insurance for minor car scratches.

Is A Scratch Considered Damage?

Yes, a scratch is considered damage. However, there are certain terms and conditions for it to be considered as damage.

Can I Claim Insurance For Car Paint Damage?

Yes, you can claim car insurance for paint damage.