What to do if your car is scratched in the yard or in the parking lot?

Statistics of insurance cases show that the largest number of insurance compensation payments under comprehensive insurance occurs in cases with minor damage, minor damage caused to the car in an accident. Such cases include the car getting chips, scratches and other damage in parking lots, in courtyards, and on the roadway. What should the policyholder do if minor damage was not discovered immediately? How to get comprehensive insurance for a scratch? What to do in cases where the culprit disappeared or remained at the scene of the accident? What to do if damage to the car was caused by a pedestrian or child? We will answer these questions in this article.

Features of CASCO insurance

In the Russian Federation today there are two main types of insurance in the field of motor transport - OSAGO and CASCO. The obligation to have valid MTPL insurance when driving a car is enshrined in law. Such a compulsory motor liability insurance policy will help cover expenses in the event that you are at fault in a traffic accident in which people or other people's property were injured.

The second type is insurance on a voluntary basis. All compensation that will be collected will be directed only to your car. The CASCO policy provides protection against all types of damage, as well as theft and complete destruction of the car as a result of a fire or accident.

Over the past 10 years, the number of people wishing to insure their car under CASCO has increased significantly. This is due to the fact that an increasing number of car enthusiasts understand that this is a very effective tool for protecting personal property. Another reason is that banks that approve a loan for the purchase of a car oblige their clients to insure it against all risks, and this implies a CASCO policy.

The cost of a CASCO insurance contract is quite high. But this is the only way for car owners to save their money, nerves and property. Therefore, each vehicle owner must make his own choice - either repair all damage at his own expense, or demand this from the insurance company.

Naturally, without a CASCO agreement, a significant lump sum is required for quick and high-quality restoration repairs. If you can afford unforeseen large expenses, then you really shouldn’t take out CASCO insurance, but if you care about the stability of your financial situation, then you simply need to conclude such an agreement.

If an insured event occurs under the CASCO agreement, the damage can be compensated in the following ways:

• for restoration repairs, the vehicle is sent to the workshop of the insurance company or to the auto center with which it has an agreement for the provision of services;
• the insurer assesses the amount of damage caused and pays monetary compensation, which the owner disposes of at his own discretion.

Absolutely all vehicles are subject to such insurance: cars, motorcycles, special equipment, trailers and trucks.

For reference, CASCO is a word borrowed from the Italians that means board. This word most accurately describes the essence of such insurance - damage caused only to the vehicle, but not to people or property of third parties, is subject to compensation. The usual spelling of “CASCO” using capital letters is just an analogy with OSAGO, which is really an abbreviation.

MTPL insurance (there is a separate article about it on our website) provides for the maximum possible insurance payments, while the CASCO agreement can specify any amount of compensation for damage. If full cost coverage is specified, you can compensate for absolutely any damage incurred while operating the car.

If scratches on the car were detected late

Sometimes it happens that damage cannot be seen immediately. So, in this case, it is not always possible to receive an insurance payment. Traffic regulations oblige every driver to inspect the vehicle before getting behind the wheel. If he has already left the place where the harm occurred without noticing it, then the police are unlikely to file a case.

But when the terms of the agreement require the submission of certificates to process compensation, then no problems can arise. You just need to submit a claim to your insurance agent.

Often, the owner of the car, having discovered the damage, returns to the parking lot and calls the police to register the incident. This should not be done, as service employees will immediately discover that the car has already been driven after it was damaged. This may result in penalties for the policyholder.

It should be noted that in any situation the main thing is to act correctly if a CASCO policy is issued. Such insurance will help you receive compensation for vehicle restoration. But first, you need to carefully study the insurance agreement that governs the legal relationship between the insurance company and the driver who has taken out insurance for his car.

Types of insurance

The CASCO agreement is an individual agreement, that is, the conditions are negotiated by the insurer with each client separately.

However, several types of such insurance contracts can be distinguished according to the method of payment:

• full coverage;
• partial coverage;
• aggregate coating;
• non-aggregate coating.

Each of the listed insurance programs has both pros and cons, which means that when choosing a suitable program, the car enthusiast will rely only on his financial capabilities and the degree of risks that he is willing to bear. So, let's look at each type separately.

Full CASCO. This type of insurance compensates for expenses incurred due to any actions leading to the occurrence of an insured event.

Full CASCO obliges you to make payments if the car is damaged in such situations:

• in any vehicle collision;
• in case of unlawful actions of other persons;
• when destroyed (damaged) by fire;
• under the influence of force majeure (weather, volcanic eruption);
• during military operations and counter-terrorism operations.

Full CASCO also provides compensation in the event that the car is stolen or completely destroyed under any circumstances. Such a program is undoubtedly very profitable, because its conditions will protect the wallet of the vehicle owner in almost any situation.

But even this type of insurance contract does not guarantee that compensation will be paid in all cases. But this already applies to the actions of the driver. For example, if at the time of the insured event the driver was in a state of alcoholic or other type of intoxication, then the insurer will almost always be able to legally refuse to pay.

Therefore, when signing a contract, it is necessary to read it carefully and, if an insured event occurs, act as the company requires.

Partial CASCO. This car insurance program involves covering only part of the risks. That is, the client of the insurance company chooses from which risks he wants to protect his vehicle. Accordingly, this entails a reduction in the price of the policy. Often, insurers offer ready-made (standard) contracts with a certain set of risks and present them as a separate product with its own name.

Such proposals include:

• CASCO Optima insurance;
• CASCO insurance against crisis;
• "Light CASCO" insurance;
• “Economical” insurance, etc.

Often, car owners decide to partially insure their car either against theft or against damage and complete destruction.

Aggregate CASCO. Also, both full and partial programs provided by insurance companies in the field of CASCO car insurance differ in the types of insurance payments. Thus, aggregate CASCO provides for payment of compensation by the insurer for damage caused, in each subsequent case less than the total amount of the contract.

To make it clearer, let's give an example. The vehicle is insured under the contract for 800,000 rubles, that is, the owner will receive a payment in exactly this amount if his car is stolen or it cannot be restored due to the occurrence of an insured event. Let’s say that some time after the conclusion of the contract, damage is discovered, for which the insurer paid 50,000 rubles.

If during the validity period of the same contract the vehicle is damaged in a major accident, then the maximum amount of compensation will not be 800,000 rubles, as indicated in the policy, but only 750,000 rubles, since 50,000 rubles have already been “spent” by the insured. Accordingly, when subsequent cases involving the payment of compensation occur, the maximum amount will decrease.

Thus, aggregate payments are most suitable for an incomplete CASCO insurance program. Most often, the insurer gives the client the right to choose the type of payments, but it also happens differently. Therefore, before signing an agreement and giving the agent money, you need to discuss all aspects of the agreement with him, and also read each of its clauses yourself. If you have any doubts, you should contact another insurer.

Non-aggregate CASCO. This is exactly the type of insurance program that credit institutions often require when approving an application for a car loan. After all, no matter what happens, no matter what damage is caused to the car, the insurer is obliged to pay the full amount of damage caused (within the contract limit).

For example, the insurance amount is 500,000 rubles. The driver receives payments for damage several times in the amount of 100,000, 50,000 and 250,000 rubles, that is, during the validity of the contract, the insurer paid him 400,000 rubles. After this, the insured car is stolen. In this case, the compensation will be 500,000 rubles, that is, it will not depend on previous payments.

What if scratches are not detected immediately?

If the car owner untimely noticed that the vehicle was damaged, the situation becomes more complicated, since the process of receiving insurance payment includes the mandatory recording of all the circumstances of the incident. In such situations, insurers, refusing compensation payments in favor of the policyholder, say that the mandatory inspection of the vehicle is regulated by current legislation, therefore, their refusal is justified and legal.

If the owner left the yard without noticing a scratch or other damage to his vehicle, such an action is classified as leaving the scene of the accident, which is contrary to the rules for receiving insurance compensation. Based on the same rules, State Traffic Inspectorate employees have the right to refuse to draw up a protocol.

However, it should be borne in mind that not all insurance organizations require the provision of a protocol. Some insurers may pay compensation even in the absence of various certificates.

Purchasing a CASCO policy is quite expensive, and for a large number of drivers, such purchases are not available. However, it is worth remembering that insurance in this situation can eliminate a huge amount of red tape, while saving you money and nerves.

Insurance cases

In what situations can an incident with an insured car be considered an “insured event”?

Let's take a look and list them:

• road accidents, regardless of whether the owner of the car is at fault, whether insured or not;
• collision with objects and objects. It doesn’t matter why it happened - due to a car malfunction, road conditions, or animals entering the highway;
• if the vehicle was damaged as a result of any objects falling on it. For example, falling branches, poles, snow, etc. This category also includes cases when stones fly out from under the wheels of a car driving in front while driving. However, the contract often includes restrictions on the operation of this rule - do not park the car in places under trees, poles in strong winds, under roofs with heavy snow cover;
• when the machine is completely immersed in water. The reason for this can be natural disasters (flooding, heavy rains, high water), and the “human factor” (driving onto ice allowed by the owner of the car, even in the presence of prohibitory signs), and driving into the water due to a malfunction of the car’s mechanisms;
• If damage to the vehicle is caused by arson or fire. This category cannot include cases of car ignition due to a malfunction or actions of the owner aimed at transporting fire and explosive objects, unless this was discussed when concluding an agreement with the insurance company. If the car is equipped to transport such substances and this is indicated in the insurance contract, then compensation is possible. Although not every insurer provides such conditions;
• if the car is damaged or completely destroyed by unauthorized persons, as well as if it is stolen. For such offenses, the insurer may recover compensation from the perpetrators (if they are identified) by way of recourse.

But the theft of wheels, property that was in the car, registration plates, as well as damage in cases where the car is damaged by third parties, if the owner voluntarily transferred the right to drive, will not be compensated, since they are not insured events.

Is a scratch an insured event?

Scratches on a comprehensive insurance policy may or may not be called an insured event. Such points are specified in the contract when it is concluded. Much depends on the comprehensive insurance program under which the car is insured - if this insurance is only for the risk of “theft”, then you should not count on insurance payments. The decision will be made after an examination to be carried out by the insurer. The car owner can independently turn to independent experts in order to have evidence and documents in case the company refuses payments or free car repairs at a service station.

If the car is insured only under compulsory motor liability insurance, and the culprit of the accident has escaped or does not have a valid policy, then it will not be possible to receive compensation from the insurer. Under compulsory motor liability insurance, only the civil liability of the culprit is insured - if there is no liability, then there is no payment. If the culprit is the driver himself, then compulsory motor liability insurance will not help him - compensation for repairs will only be due to the victim of the accident.

First steps if you see scratches on your car

If a car owner notices damage to the paintwork on his car, then first of all there is no need to panic. Especially if the car is insured under CASCO.

Repairs to all scratches, dents and other minor damage will be paid for by the insurance company under the CASCO agreement. This will happen even if you inadvertently scratched the door when opening it or parked unsuccessfully.

How to file an insurance case under CASCO?

What to do if the insurance company does not pay for CASCO, read here.

Find out how to file a pre-trial claim with an insurance company under CASCO at the link:

If you find yourself in such a situation, then you need to perform not only the actions provided for by the Traffic Rules, but also those specified in the insurance contract.

So, here are your approximate actions after a traffic accident:

• Immediately after a collision, stop and do not move your vehicle again;
• be sure to turn on the hazard warning lights;
• do not forget to install a warning triangle at a distance of at least 15 meters from the car. This is a mandatory requirement of the rules, because if there is no such sign, then drivers of other cars may not notice you and crash into you. If you do not put up signs and do not turn on the emergency lights, then the traffic police officer who arrives at the scene will definitely draw up a protocol on the violation, and you will be held administratively liable in the form of a fine of 1,000 rubles;
• do not change the situation at the scene of the incident. If some parts fall off as a result of a collision (bumper, mirror), then they can be removed only after the accident has been recorded;
• if people were injured in the accident, then provide first aid or call an ambulance;
• roughly estimate the size of the damage and the approximate amount of damage;
• notify your insurance representative about the incident by phone;
• call the traffic police inspectors. The legislator establishes that if the accident did not cause serious consequences and the drivers do not have claims against each other, then it is not necessary to call the police; the incident can be registered in a simplified manner using the Europrotocol. However, if you have an agreement with a CASAC insurer, then you will have to call road inspectors. After all, in order to pay the compensation amount, you will have to provide the insurer with documents drawn up by a traffic police inspector;
• If you collide with a car in which there was no driver (in a parking lot), then take measures to identify it. Write down his phone number and personal information;
• Record the situation at the scene using photos and videos. Pay attention to the relative position of the cars (their registration plates should be visible), the location of road signs, the presence of traffic lights, the condition of the road surface and weather conditions;
• Together with the other participants in the incident, draw up a diagram of the accident; if you have no comments on it, then sign it. The second driver must do the same;
• Since July 1, 2015, changes have been made to the Traffic Rules, according to which, if the amount of damage received by vehicles does not exceed 50,000 rudder, then immediately after drawing up a diagram and video recording, it is necessary to clear the roadway and not interfere with other road users. If this requirement of the legislator is not fulfilled, then the traffic police officer may hold you accountable for this. The fine for such an offense is 1000 rubles;
• Try to identify witnesses and eyewitnesses of the road accident, write down their contact information. Persuade them to wait for the police and give them an explanation of what happened;
• When traffic police officers arrive at the scene, wait until they draw up a report. Read it and, if there are no comments to it, sign it; if there are any, then ask for them to be included in the protocol. Within 10 days, receive a resolution from the inspector to refuse to initiate administrative proceedings.

As you can see, no complicated actions are required from you, but if you do everything, this will help you avoid an administrative fine and correctly file a traffic accident, which will subsequently help you obtain insurance.

Find out what our CASCO deductible is

The CASCO deductible is a fixed amount under an insurance contract, within the framework of which the insurer does not compensate the policyholder for expenses. This amount is established for almost any insurance policy, incl. and CASCO.

There are several types of franchise:

• unconditional. With this type, the injured person is paid the difference between the sum insured and the amount of the deductible. The larger the type of unconditional franchise, the lower the cost of CASCO. This type is suitable for those car owners who always have their own resources to cover part of the repair work.
• conditional. Such a franchise, subject to an agreement between the policyholder and the insurer, is specified in the insurance contract. If the expenses of the injured subject are less than the conditional deductible, then no compensation is paid at all. If the amount of expenses is greater, the policyholder may receive compensation in full.
• dynamic franchise. It appeared not so long ago, but has actively established itself as a profitable CASCO option. Its essence is that the deductible is set as a percentage and the owner of the vehicle receives less and less payments for each repeated accident. Conclusion: the third type of franchise is suitable only for those motorists who are confident in their abilities and have extensive driving experience.

Regarding the choice of franchise, no one has the right to oblige the policyholder to purchase CASCO with a specific type of franchise. The type is established in the contract by mutual agreement. Therefore, if you are comfortable with a dynamic system, then you have the right to ask for it.

Examples of payments for each franchise:

• Conditional - for example, according to the contract, the agreed amount is 25,000 rubles. If upon receipt of damage as a result of an accident, repair work amounts to 22,000 rubles, the policyholder will compensate for the damage at his own expense. And if the amount of damage is more than 25,000 rubles, then all repair costs fall on the shoulders of the insurance company.
• Unconditional - as a result of the accident, damage in the amount of 150,000 rubles was caused. The unconditional franchise amount specified in the CASCO agreement is 40,000 rubles. In this case, compensation for damage is the difference between these two amounts, namely 110,000 rubles.
• Dynamic - Percentage ratio of the amount of deductible, compensation depending on the frequency of occurrence of the insured event: in the first case, the driver receives full compensation; when an insured event occurs again, the deductible is up to 15%, and the vehicle owner receives up to 85%; upon the occurrence of the third and subsequent insured events, the deductible already reaches 25%, and the payment is 75% of the damage received.

Is it necessary to call the traffic police?

If you have a CASCO insurance contract, then even in the event of a minor traffic accident you must call the police. Typically, insurers make payments for damage caused only if a complete package of documents has been collected, which includes a certificate of an accident, a decision on administrative material or a refusal to initiate it.

It must be remembered that before the police arrive, you should not leave or be absent for a long time. When the inspector draws up a report, be polite but persistent. You should not sign anything without reading it first.

Why is it so important to wait for the police? If you leave before the traffic police inspector draws up all the necessary documents, then he will rely on the testimony of the second participant, and details that are important from your point of view will not be taken into account. This may work against you in the future.

Another important thing is to make sure that the inspector describes in detail all the damage. If any scratch turns out to be unfixed, then you will not be able to get money from the insurer to fix it. Often, car owners think that it is necessary to involve police officers in an inspection only when two or more cars collide. This is fundamentally wrong.

Even if there is a collision with any object (pole, billboard, fence), then it is impossible to do without recording the damage by traffic police officers. Such incidents are the most common and if they are indicated in the CASCO agreement as insured events, then you will receive compensation.

In such situations, drivers do not want to call traffic police inspectors also because they are afraid of being held administratively liable for such a collision or for a false call. In reality, such a situation is an accident and the police are obliged to come.

Scratched by an unknown person

If there are scratches on the car, and the culprit has disappeared, then you first need to determine whether the car was damaged as a result of an accident or other impact. If the second participant in the accident fled, they call a traffic police squad, in the second - a local police officer. Until their arrival, you can start an independent investigation: inspect the damage and the scene of the incident for traces of the “guilty” car.

We suggest you read: What are the consequences of rent arrears, can they be evicted, what to do if it is impossible to repay the debt

You can also collect information that will help prove the violation and identify the culprit. Where to look for evidence of guilt in a scratch:

• recordings from DVRs of cars parked nearby;
• CCTV cameras in paid parking;
• External surveillance cameras near the store, bank, at the entrance.

Neighbors and residents of nearby houses can share information. To find witnesses to a scratch on a car, you need to post advertisements asking eyewitnesses of the incident to respond. You can visit nearby service stations to find out if they have been contacted to repair cars with typical damage.

Having collected the necessary information, recording the contacts of witnesses, taking photographs of the scene of the incident, transfer all the information received to the arriving traffic police or police officers. If you find yourself in such a situation, before leaving the scene of an accident, remember that leaving the scene of an accident is classified as an administrative violation and is punishable by a fine or deprivation of rights for a certain period.

Package of documents for applying for insurance payment

What package of documents must be attached to the application for compensation under the CASCO agreement? The list of all these documents is regulated in the contract. Here is an approximate list of documents required to receive payments, which may vary depending on the requirements of the insurance company itself.

You can find out which documents you need to provide specifically from your insurance agent or by reading the appendix to the contract:

• proving the fact of an accident. These are documents that indicate the circumstances given by other participants. For example, a copy of a protocol on an administrative offense, a decision on this protocol (resolution), a certificate of an accident, a resolution to refuse to initiate a criminal case (WUD) or to initiate one. In a situation where a criminal case is initiated, the insurance company may delay the payment of insurance compensation until a decision is made on it. Such decisions may be orders of suspension, termination or a court decision;
• proving the illegality of the actions of third parties. This may be either a decision on a legal settlement based on damage or destruction of property, or a decision on refusal to initiate it. A copy of the inspection report of the scene of the incident and other documents confirming the guilt of other persons;
• proving the fact of fire or explosion. Conclusion of a fire-technical examination, a decision on a fire-fighting permit or refusal to do so;
• proving the fact of a weather emergency. A notification coupon indicating that you have contacted the Ministry of Internal Affairs to record damage, a certificate from the hydrometeorological center of your region, which indicates that at a particular time there were unfavorable (extraordinary) weather conditions;
• proving the fact of falling objects. Protocol of the inspection of the scene of the incident from the police officers and the decision on your application (refusal to the VUD);
• proving the fact of damage by animals. This may be a copy of the application to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a resolution to refuse to initiate a criminal case, as well as a protocol for examining the scene of the incident indicating all the damage;
• documents for a damaged or destroyed car: registration certificate, PTS, etc.;
• payment documents (checks, invoices, etc.) confirming the cost of repairs or other costs for restoring the car;
• copies of documents provided by an independent expert stating that he has the right to conduct such research;
• an agreement on an independent assessment examination and the expert’s conclusion itself, certified accordingly;
• certificate of completion of restoration repairs with a note on receipt of the car by the owner;
• documents confirming payment for the services of an independent expert (original or certified copies);
• other documents required by the insurance company;
• Bank details for transferring compensation for material damage caused.

Before submitting an application, you must clarify the list of required documents at the office of the insurance company or on its official website.

I scratched my car in the yard, what should I do? (has CASCO)

The reality is that courtyards are not suitable for mass parking of cars, so when leaving, there is a high probability of scratching your car and hitting someone else’s. One unsuccessful move costs a pretty penny. The situation is offensive, but can be resolved if you have CASCO insurance.

The question is very often asked: “I scratched my car myself in the yard, what should I do? (there is CASCO). If you scratch your car and also damage someone else’s car, most often the first thought that comes to mind is to flee the scene of the “crime.” This is fraught with even bigger troubles if the angry owner does figure you out:

• fine – 1 thousand rubles;
• deprivation of a driver's license (period from 1 to 1.5 years);
• administrative arrest (up to 15 days).

If you have a CASCO policy, strictly follow the instructions:

1. Find the owner of the damaged car. You can leave your contact information on his hood so he can contact you. If you are found through witnesses or video footage, the situation will be viewed differently.
2. Find people in the incident who could testify to your innocence.
3. If the damage is minor, there is a chance of reaching an agreement peacefully.
4. If an agreement cannot be reached, you will have to file a case of an accident and contact the traffic police. A correctly executed report will be useful for contacting an insurance company (IC) for compensation for damage.
5. Contact your insurance company, presenting the policy and the accident report.

You only need to contact the traffic police in cases where damage was received while driving at least one of the participants in the “yard” accident. Traffic police officers document damage sustained in a collision with stationary objects - poles, gates, etc.

Some car owners mistakenly believe that calling the traffic police when the car was not moving is subject to a fine for a false call. If this insured event occurs, traffic police do not have the right to impose a fine on the car owner.

Payment under the CASCO policy is carried out only upon submission of a package of documents:

• CASCO agreement (with confirmed payment);
• car owner's passport;
• all documents for the car;
• relevant protocols and acts of the traffic police.

We talked in more detail about what documents need to be collected to receive insurance payments here.

The procedure for contacting the insurance company if you scratched the car yourself

When all the documents that, in accordance with the CASCO agreement, must be provided to obtain insurance, the motorist must go to the insurance company and fill out a corresponding application there. At the same time, the insurer will set a date, time and place where an assessment of the damage will be carried out by a company representative. You should not ignore or be late for this event - without it you will not be able to get insurance.

If the insurer, after examining the damage, has calculated the amount of compensation that you consider to be underestimated, then you must resort to the services of an independent expert to assess the amount of damage. However, in this case you will have to pay for his services out of your own pocket.

Later, you will be able to recover these costs from the insurance company if it is determined that the payment assigned to it is actually less than the amount of actual damage caused. With the expert's opinion, you must contact the insurer again. If the requirement for payments in accordance with the results of an independent study is not met, then you need to contact the judicial authorities.

Based on your application for revision of the insurance amount, a re-examination will be scheduled and an assessment report will be drawn up. If you agree with the amount indicated in it, then sign it. If the amount is again significantly less, then the dispute will be resolved in court. Although this procedure is much longer, it will be possible to recover both legal costs and penalties from the insurance company.

If you are satisfied with the amount of compensation, then after signing the appraisal report you will receive money or a referral to a service center where your car will be repaired. That is, there is a certain procedure for submitting documents and applications to recover compensation from the insurer. It is quite simple and understandable to every car enthusiast.

Statement

When an insured event occurs, the car owner must decide what he wants to achieve from insurers. He may ask for payment of monetary compensation, as well as restoration of the car at the expense of the company.

The choice may affect the content of the claim that is submitted to the insurance company. If the client asks to compensate for damage in monetary terms, then the payment period is indicated in accordance with the Insurance Rules. If repairs are necessary, the client must fill out an application with instructions to send the vehicle to a service station for restoration.

At the initial stage of contacting insurers, an application is drawn up not to receive compensation, but to notify the company about an insured event. For this purpose, a special form has been developed based on the general legislative and legal acts of Russia relating to insurance.

Deadline for applying for compensation

If only your car was involved in a traffic accident, then in accordance with the provisions of the Law, you must submit an application within five days. This period may be increased by the insurer to 30 days, but only in the presence of special circumstances. After the expiration of this period, the insured event will be considered overdue and compensation will not be received.

It happens that insurance companies require that you contact the insurance company immediately after an accident. This can be disputed, but if you do not want to argue in this case, you can simply call the agent at the scene of the accident.

And after completing all the documents, the traffic police officers go to the insurer’s office and write a statement indicating that all the required documents will be provided later. After all, the most important thing in any situation is to write a statement about the occurrence of an insured event. All required documents can be provided within 30 days.

Sometimes it happens that the documents provided by the policyholder contain errors or inaccuracies made both through his fault and through the fault of third parties. In this case, the insurance company also sets a period of 30 days from the date of notification to the applicant of errors to correct or replace the documents. If notification of inadequate quality of papers was sent by post, then the period is counted from the date indicated on the envelope.

If the person responsible for the incident has been identified

When the culprit is the driver of the car, who unintentionally touched the insured vehicle, failing to enter/exit, such a case may be regarded as an accident and resolved in the presence of road inspectors. Of course, such a situation should not be left without the attention of the insurance organization. You need to call the company, explain what happened and follow the specialist’s instructions.

After the arrival of the traffic police, you need to do the following:

• To write an application;
• Review and sign documents drawn up by police officers;
• Record the location of the damage and its consequences on the car;
• The owner of the car and the person at fault are sent to the inspection department to register documents.

If the driver of the vehicle has a compulsory motor liability insurance policy, then he must compensate the damage to the injured party. In a situation where the person at fault is not the one driving, the issue is resolved by covering the risk of damage to the vehicle caused by other persons. Here the traffic police will not be able to help, you should contact the police and notify the Investigative Committee. When the district police officer draws up a protocol, you will need to write a statement. But most often the offender is difficult to find.

What to do if your insurance claim is denied

In some cases, the insurance company refuses compensation to the owner of a damaged car due to the fact that it does not recognize the incident as an insured event. To protect your rights, you need to contact the central office and file a pre-trial claim addressed to the director of the organization, requesting a more thorough consideration of your case. In the same document it is necessary to briefly but in detail indicate all the circumstances of what happened from the accident to the moment of refusal of compensation.

Try to write the claim in a friendly tone: indicate that you consider what happened not to be the fault of the entire company, but of an individual specialist, that you are asking to look into it and that you also plan to use the services of this particular insurer in the future. Take the claim in person to the office, and ask the person receiving it to stamp the date of receipt and sign your copy.

Sample pre-trial claim for collection of insurance payments under CASCO.

If the insurer has not responded to your claim or has responded formally, then you should contact a competent lawyer specializing in auto insurance disputes. He will help you draw up a statement of claim, collect the necessary documents, and can also represent your interests in court. The cost of his services will be reimbursed to you if the court accepts your side and satisfies the claim.

Sample statement of claim for recovery of insurance payments under CASCO.

Features of the CASCO policy

It is necessary to understand what a CASCO policy is. In simple terms, CASCO is a voluntary financial security, where the object of insurance is a car . If the car was damaged or the vehicle was completely lost, then certain payments will follow if you have a CASCO policy in hand. If you take out optional insurance, you can select certain insured events. But basically, options in the CASCO policy are included automatically and are not issued separately. Why is CASCO policy so good?

1. If the car was damaged, the costs of restoring the car will be covered by the insurance company.
2. Having a CASCO policy, the owner protects himself financially if the car is stolen.
3. If the vehicle contains fairly expensive equipment, then it can also be insured.
4. While the MTPL policy is in force, the cost of compensation cannot be reduced.
5. The client can independently choose the method of resolving his issue that is more acceptable to him. For example, if your car is scratched in the yard, what should you do? CASCO may issue a cash bonus. Or the insurer can do the repairs on its own.

What to do if your car is scratched by a child

In accordance with current legislation, if a child is under 14 years old, he cannot be held liable and cannot compensate for the damage caused. The obligation to pay in full for the damage caused falls on his parents or legal representatives.

If the car was damaged by a child, then there are two options to recover money. You can come to an agreement with your parents on the spot, but you won’t be able to count on payments from the insurance company.

The preferable second option is to contact the internal affairs authorities, whose employees will record the incident and prepare the necessary documents. They must submit their application to the insurance company and receive compensation. If a CASCO agreement is concluded, then no problems with collection can arise.

In what cases is refusal possible?

Any insured events that are not provided for by law are not subject to compensation. It is not profitable for the insurance company to compensate for what it may not pay.

When refusal is completely legal:

• the car is damaged in a way that is not included in the insurance policy;
• the owner of the vehicle violated the time frame for contacting the company and did not notify the insurer on time about the occurrence of the event;
• the examination protocol confirms the inadequate condition of the driver driving the vehicle;
• the car was stolen using keys left inside the car;
• The person responsible for causing the damage to the car has not been identified. Such actions are illegal, but in practice they occur;
• the vehicle had breakdowns that resulted in an accident;
• damage to the car occurred due to improper care of the car, due to improper operation;
• the owner of the vehicle left the scene until law enforcement arrived.

These situations are not grounds for 100% refusal. The victim has the right to appeal the insurance company's decision in court. But no one guarantees a successful outcome.

There are many stories on the Internet, incl. and successful. People manage to prove they are right even when parking incorrectly. But no one talks about how much time, effort and money was spent proving that they were right.

Everything is ambiguous. The same cases of refusals cannot be considered on the same plane, because the policyholder is the consumer of the service, and the legislation is by default on his side.

How to act under CASCO if you yourself damaged the car

As in order to receive insurance compensation for any other circumstances, you should know the algorithm of actions, while focusing on the points confirming the legality of receiving a monetary payment.

In order to receive protection under a CASCO agreement (in the form of monetary compensation or repair work to eliminate damage), you must, first of all, correctly report the incident that led to the occurrence of the insured event.

The insurer, in turn, undertakes to pay compensation for the consequences, but only when the event is considered a legitimate insurance risk.

You need to clearly formulate the reasons for the situation, to show that it did not happen because of your actions, but because of a combination of circumstances and other environmental factors.

The application for payment indicates specific data about the incident without any omissions, manipulation of facts and inaccuracies of the “forgot” or “didn’t notice” type.

This will help not only speed up the process of considering the case, but guarantee a chance to receive payment.

However, it should be remembered that the company will deal with all the details of the case, and if it reveals your involvement and concealment, then the responsibility will pass to you, which means that the contract may be terminated.

Do not rely 100% on the benevolence or inattention of the insurer, but find photo or video evidence that although there are no third parties in the case, weather conditions also do not contribute to the situation, but there are other factors.

The presence of witnesses will play into the hands of the beneficiary.

Be attentive to the availability of as much documentation as possible and to its execution.

If the examination has established that the policyholder is the cause of the incident, then the likelihood of challenging and receiving compensation is minimal.

You can use the services of a car lawyer to prove your innocence, but even then there is no absolute guarantee that you will win the case.

How scammers make money with CASCO in case of an accident is shown in the article: CASCO in case of an accident. How to calculate CASCO insurance cheaper, read here.

Is a scratch covered by CASCO insurance?

Like other types of damage, scratches and chips can be included in the CASCO policy. This condition must be specified in the insurance contract. At the same time, the insurance company may limit the conditions under which a scratch can be considered an insured event. Most often, this is a certain order in which these injuries are inflicted and the degree of their severity.

Some contracts have a minimum amount of damage, up to which no payments are made. In this case, a minor scratch will not be a risk covered by the insurer. Also, it is often impossible to receive payment if the conditions for storing the car in the parking lot are violated. To find out whether such terms apply to such a policy, review your insurance contract.

Amounts of payments for a scratch under CASCO

Removing scratches and restoring the paintwork of a car body is not the most expensive car service service. Therefore, insurance companies often fully compensate for the cost of repairs or pay the required insurance.

In a situation where the car insurer underestimates the cost of repairs, it is recommended to conduct an independent examination. A report received from an expert almost always forces the insurance company employees to change their decision (especially given that in case of scratches the conversation is not about the largest sums).

What documents are needed?

The list of documents that are submitted when concluding a contract is clearly provided for in the insurance rules. The insurer has no right to require additional documents.

To purchase a policy you need:

• completed insurance application;
• client's passport;
• title documents for the car (registration certificate, PTS, purchase and sale agreement, lease (if any), power of attorney (if any));
• driver's license;
• certificate of registration of individual entrepreneur (if the entrepreneur is insured);
• documents confirming the cost of the machine and additional equipment (checks, receipts, etc.).

The car is provided for inspection, after which a report on any damage or defects found is drawn up.

Reference. If the company insists that the car must have an anti-theft system, then it will be necessary to purchase one.

Two sets of keys may be required (if autostart is available). In the case where a car purchased on credit is insured, a loan agreement with the bank must also be provided.

At the client's request, a certificate from the previous insurance company about the break-even period of insurance can be provided. This will help you get a discount, which, with serious driving experience and a long period of driving without accidents, can reach 40%.

What does minor car damage insurance mean?

Under the CASCO program, you can insure against three main risks: damage, total loss of the car and theft. But each insurance company has its own definitions of these concepts.

On a note. In most cases, damage is damage to the car due to an accident, natural disasters (earthquake, hurricane, subsidence, lightning, etc.), fire, explosion, falling objects, illegal actions of criminals.

Some insurers include in this list such risks as theft (not to be confused with car theft), damage caused by animals and loss of marketable value (LCV).

We are talking about the occurrence of unforeseen expenses for restoration repairs in connection with the occurrence of a CASCO insurance event. The insurance rules always indicate a complete definition of all insured events that can be recognized by the insurer.

Do I need to contact the traffic police?

If the car was scratched by the owner himself or by the driver included in the policy, then there is no point in calling the traffic police officers - do you need to call the insurer, report the incident, photograph the damage and come to inspect the car at the time and place appointed by the manager.

Related article: Features of CASCO refund on a car loan, is it possible to terminate insurance and get the money back

If the car is damaged by third parties, then calling the traffic police inspectors is a mandatory step. Otherwise, the insurance company will refuse to pay any compensation. You must also obtain a certificate of the accident (or a copy of the resolution) from employees.

Noticed it too late

If you notice damage to your car after a while, this will cause some difficulties, because for the insurance company it matters where, when and how your car was scratched. In such cases, you need to act like this:

• Call the traffic police officers, who will draw up the relevant documents:
• Go to the police station to obtain other documents required by the insurance company.
• Submit an application to the insurance company along with all collected documentation;
• You may have to leave your car for inspection;

If everything is done correctly, the payment will follow within the period specified by the insurance company. Please note that the process of collecting documentation will require time and patience from you; it is virtually impossible to accomplish this in a short time.

If insurers refuse and do not accept your application, then it is best to contact a lawyer who has experience in such cases. CASCO, or more precisely, violation of the terms of the contract for this type of insurance is often a reason for going to court, but if you have a legally competent adviser, you will be able to resolve the issue pre-trial.

Tags: