Is It Worth Filing a Car Insurance Claim for Minor Dents?

Posted on: Jun 12, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Is It Worth Filing a Car Insurance Claim for Minor Dents?

If you have a minor dent on your vehicle, you will have to consider the claim process. It is best to check the NCB benefits and the deductibles before making the choice.

When a bump or scratch appears on your car, it can be very frustrating. Although you don't always have to reach out to your insurer, sometimes, it is not wrong to do so. The minor dents may be harmless, but they tend to damage the aesthetic appearance of the car. In this case, consider applying for a minor car damage insurance claim.

Should you repair these minor bumps on your file for a claim? Before trying to fix it, you may wonder if it is worth claiming on car insurance for minor damage. You'll have to consider the impact on the premium or no-claim bonus. To claim car insurance for small dent and scratches, you must consider several factors.

Understanding Your Policy (Deductible, NCB)

You must understand the car insurance policy's deductible and No Claim Bonus (NCB) policy. The deductible is the amount you must pay from your pocket before the insurance covers the cost. NCB refers to the discount on the renewal premium you'll get after staying claim-free for a particular year. Going for a car insurance deductible is often better than losing your NCB.

There will be specific fixed amounts for the deductibles, and you can choose some. For minor dents, if you want to know if is it worth claiming on car insurance, deductibles work out the best. You'll have to pay lower premiums and extra money for claims when you have a higher deductible amount.

As for the No Claim Bonus, you get the benefit of getting a 20% discount after a year of being claim-free, and then it increases gradually every year till a maximum of 50%.

If your car has minor damages, when you file the claim, it will have an impact on the NCB and you may lose the discount. Therefore, if you apply for the car insurance deductible, you can retain the NCB benefits.

Cost of Repair vs. Deductible

The cost of repair and deductible must be considered before you file for a minor car damage insurance claim. Usually, a dent or scratch can cost a few hundred to thousands of Indian rupees, based on your car model. The touch-up may cost a little extra. The standard car insurance deductible usually ranges between 1000 INR (1500 cc cars) and 2000 INR (bigger engine cars). You may also avail yourself of the voluntary deductible if you have applied for it.

Once you file the insurance claim within the policy year, you will lose your NCB benefits, which may range between 20%-50%, depending on the accumulated reward points. But, if your repair cost is less than the NCB savings and deductible, pay for it. This gives you the benefit of saving your NCB perks. Therefore, you can apply for the policy premium renewal discount, which is far more efficient than a one-time benefit of minor repair claims.

Impact on Future NCB

Before you claim car insurance for small dent, you must consider its impact on your future NCB. You will get this benefit if you do not raise the claim in the policy year. The policy rewards for NCB can be accumulated throughout the year, and you can apply for a discount during policy renewal.

The damage's impact is critical in determining whether you must file a claim. For that purpose, performing a No Claim Bonus calculation is best before you proceed with the repairs. If your savings through NCB are more than the repair cost, it is best to pay out of pocket. However, you should immediately file for the claim if the savings are less.

Do not file for any claim when paying out of your pocket, as it can nullify your NCB reward. As a result, you may not get the NCB rewards during the renewal phase. It is best to consider the expenses and the savings through the policy before finalising the choice.

When to Claim vs. When to Pay Out-of-Pocket?

Filing a claim for car insurance for a small dent will depend on different factors. Since you already have a deductible in your car insurance, you should pay out of your pocket only if repairs aren't expensive. If the damage or dent is minor and requires you to pay slightly more than your deductible, you can do it independently. For example, it isn't too much if the minor dent repair costs around 500 or 1000 INR. Hence, you can pay out of pocket and save money.

Paying out of pocket can help you save a significant discount significantly for your No Claim Bonus (NCB). Paying out of your pocket will reset the NCB and offer immediate relief. Moreover, you can also pay out-of-pocket if you're involved in a two-car accident and another driver is ready to pay for the damages; it helps to save money.

You may opt for a minor car damage insurance claim if the repair charges exceed your deductible. However, you must conduct a thorough No Claim Bonus calculation in this case. Also, you can file a claim if the accidental damage may affect the car's resale value. Before filing for any claim, it is suggested that you calculate and protect against loss due to NCB and the premium you'll have to pay in the following year. Make sure to do a thorough calculation to prevent unwanted loss.

How to File a Claim for Minor Damages? (if you decide to)

If you file a claim for minor damages, you must first collect all the documents to support your case. Since it is a dent in your vehicle, you must provide specific documents for the claim settlement process. Below are the documents to submit:

• Car insurance policy document
• Filled the claim form with all the necessary details
• Car Registration Certificate
• Photocopy of the FIR (this will probably be requested if you were involved in a third-party accident)
• Photos of the dent on the vehicle
• Invoice for the repair

When you are to file a claim for minor damages, make sure that you do it within the timeline. This plays a vital role in preventing the risk of rejection.

You need to follow a step-by-step procedure to file the claim. This includes:

• Check the damage: Before filing the claim, check how much damage has been caused. After that, make sure to notify your insurer within 48 to 72 hours. You can notify your insurer via email or call.
• File the claim: Once you have the report, you can file the claim either online or by visiting the office. Either way, you must ensure you have filled the form correctly.
• Insurer checks the damage: The insurance company will have a surveyor assess the level of damage to the vehicle. The inspection will determine whether the claim can be made with the scope of coverage or not.
• Garage Repair: After the inspection by the insurance company, you may need to take the car to the garage. You can only make repairs based on the surveyor's information.
• Claim settlement: Once the vehicle is repaired, adjustment for the final claim will begin with all necessary applicable deductibles, depreciations and terms of the policy.

To understand the detailed procedure for filing a car insurance claim, including how to handle scratches and the role of deductibles, visit the car insurance page for more information.

Conclusion

Now that you understand the factors for is it worth claiming on car insurance, assess your decision accordingly. Continually assess the terms and conditions of the car insurance policy you purchase. It is crucial that you know the claim settlement procedure, too, for the small dents. Make sure that you have documents and forms. This plays an essential role in a swift and easy process. Before filing a claim, it is advisable to consider the premium cost and No Claim Bonus benefits.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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