Can You Claim Insurance for Scratches and Minor Dents?

4 min read | Updated on July 21, 2025, 17:05 IST

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Abhishek lives in West Delhi (Rajauri Garden) and has recently bought a mid-segment SUV. As crowded as the area is, people drive with utmost carelessness, and scratches and minor dents symbolise a car driven in the Delhi-NCR region. However, like everyone, Abhishek wants to keep his new car shining without visible damage. This is why, whenever he received minor dents or scratches, he would simply walk into the company’s workshop, claim insurance, and have the repairs done.

He paid a specific sum as mandatory deductibles and filing charges each time. His friend explained to him how he loses NCB each time he walks into a workshop for minor issues, and how filing claims for petty damages is not the smartest move.

Remember the time you bought a new car or bike? You cared way too much about your vehicle; you drove slowly and ensured it had no scratches or dents. However, such damages are inevitable despite your efforts, especially when you reside in a densely populated area.

Understandably, many car owners wonder: Should I claim insurance for this? More importantly, can I? While comprehensive car insurance does offer coverage for such incidents, filing a claim isn’t always the smartest move. Let us know everything you need to know about claiming insurance for minor dents and scratches.

Does Car Insurance Cover Scratches and Minor Dents?

Yes, if you have opted for comprehensive insurance. However, if you have bought a third-party liability only motor vehicle insurance, you will not be eligible for any bodily damage claims for your vehicle. These damages may seem superficial, but they fall under the “own damage” category, which is typically included in a comprehensive plan.

However, these damages should be caused by an accident and not by general wear and tear or manufacturing defects. This is why the insurance company inspects to determine whether a valid insurable event caused the scratch or minor dent.

The Claim Dilemma: Should You Even File One?

This is not just a dilemma but a cost-benefit analysis that every policyholder should do before filing a claim. Just because the insurance company would pay for repairs of such scratches and dents does not mean that filing such a claim would always be cost-effective. Here is why:

Compare the cost of repair vs. deductible

Suppose the cost of repairs is ₹2000 and the deductible is ₹1000; this means that the insurer will cover only ₹1000, and your time and effort would not be worth going for the claim.

Impact on No Claim Bonus

Claiming for even small repairs can wipe out your NCB, which could’ve given you up to 50% off your next premium.

Claim History & Future Premiums

If you are someone who has made numerous claims in the past, your renewal premium can be higher as the insurance companies might flag you as a risky policyholder.

How to File a Claim for Minor Damages?

The process here is quite similar to that of usual damage claims. Here are a few things you must do while filing a claim for minor damages:

Inform the Insurance Company

The first step would be to inform the insurer immediately. The general deadline is between 24 and 48 hours. However, you must read your policy document to know the exact duration within which such information should be provided.

Ensure Proper Documentation

Always try to collect documents such as police reports (if applicable), photos of the damage, and details of the vehicle with which your car or bike has collided (if applicable).

Vehicle Inspection

Be ready for the inspection, as your insurer will appoint a surveyor.

Opting for Cashless Option

You can opt for a cashless claim by taking the car to a network workshop or having it repaired at a garage of your choice and then being reimbursed the amount.

What are the Tips Before Filing the Claim?

To ensure that you will not make an incorrect decision, here are a few tips that you can consider:

Get a repair estimate first, based on which you can compare your deductible and determine if making the claim is worthwhile.
Compare it with the NCB loss, which can be 20-50% of your base premium.
You can opt for NCB protection if available.
You can opt to pay out of your pocket for minor fixes, such as cosmetic claims, as this can help you save money in the long term.

Scratch vs Savings: Should You File That Claim?

The purpose of this blog was not to discourage you from filing a claim for minor issues. After all, you pay a good amount of money as an insurance premium and want your prized possession in the best possible condition.

However, making such a claim can hurt your finances, and hence, you must assess before going for the insurance claim:

Go Ahead with the Claim When	Avoid the Claim When
Repair cost > deductible + NCB loss	Repair cost ≤ deductible
You have the NCB Protect add-on	You have 20%+ NCB to lose
Damage is accidental and documented	Damage is cosmetic or barely visible
You’re already planning to upgrade your policy	You plan to renew soon and want a lower premium
It’s a first or rare claim	You’ve filed claims in the last 1–2 years

Summing Up

You are not wrong to be tempted to file a claim for minor scratches or damages, but eventually, making too many claims can affect your NCB, and it would not be financially worthwhile. Insurance is best reserved for serious, high-value repairs, not cosmetic fixes. If the damage is minor and manageable, consider paying out of pocket.

FAQs

Can I claim insurance for a small scratch?

Yes, if you have a comprehensive policy.

Will I lose my NCB if I file a minor claim?

Yes, unless you have an NCB Protect add-on.

Do I need an FIR for scratches?

No, usually not required for minor damage.

Is it financially smart to claim small damages?

Often not, if the repair cost is close to your deductible or NCB loss.

About Author

Upstox Desk

Team of expert writers dedicated to providing insightful and comprehensive coverage on stock markets, economic trends, commodities, business developments, and personal finance. With a passion for delivering valuable information, the team strives to keep readers informed about the latest trends and developments in the financial world.