BYD (比亚迪) says "City Navigation" safety guarantee isn't limited to first owner or to owner-only use

Lead and scope

BYD (比亚迪) has clarified that its recently announced "CNOA 城市领航安全兜底" — a safety guarantee tied to its assisted‑driving City Navigation feature — is not restricted to the vehicle's first owner and does not require the vehicle owner to be the only user. It has been reported that the announcement, which BYD first publicised after rolling out the Tian Shen Eye A and B (天神之眼 A、B) systems, prompted widespread online discussion about who benefits from manufacturer‑level safety promises.

Who, what and for how long

The guarantee applies in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) for vehicles equipped with 天神之眼 A or B when users employ the CNOA City Navigation feature in compliance with its intended functions. New buyers of qualifying cars receive one year of coverage from vehicle delivery; existing owners become eligible for one year of coverage after an OTA upgrade to 天神之眼 5.0. BYD says the program runs for purchases and upgrades completed through 28 May 2027, with the one‑year period starting on activation.

Coverage details and limits

BYD states it will cover direct economic losses that the vehicle should bear in an at‑fault accident caused while CNOA is being used — including repair costs, third‑party property damage and personal injury. The guarantee is limited to the CNOA city navigation mode and explicitly excludes other driver aids such as ACC adaptive cruise, ICC lane cruise and HNOA high‑speed navigation; commercial/ride‑hail vehicles are also excluded. For safety and liability reasons, BYD requires drivers to complete a learning module and pass an in‑app test before first use.

Claims and insurance implications

After an accident users must report to traffic police, preserve evidence and file with BYD within 24 hours via the BYD app or hotline. Required materials include dashcam footage, the official accident determination, photos and vehicle documents. BYD says the CNOA safety guarantee is free, carries no payout cap and "will not affect next year’s insurance premium" if BYD covers the loss — though it also notes that separate smart‑driving insurance (智驾险) must be bought independently and can lead to premium changes if used. Reportedly, BYD recommends simultaneous reporting to the commercial insurer to avoid complications with ordinary insurance claims.

Context

The move comes as Chinese automakers race to deploy advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) at scale amid intense domestic competition and growing overseas scrutiny of autonomous and semi‑autonomous technologies. For Western readers: manufacturer‑backed guarantees like this reflect both marketing strategy and an attempt to address consumer concerns about liability and safety in an environment where regulatory frameworks for assisted driving are still evolving.