by blbattaglia » Mon Oct 18, 2010 09:13 pm
I backed into my husband's company car in our driveway. It made no damage to my car, but my trailer hitch put a hole in his front bumper. The estimates are ranging from about $1000- $1200, and my deductible for collision is $500. I'm a 23 year old female. Should I make a claim or just pay it? If I turn it in, will my rate go up for something so small?
Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 09:52 pm Post Subject:
and my deductible for collision is $500
Your collision would not apply. You, personally, are liable. Coverage would come from the the liability portion of the vehicle you were driving (i.e. your own personal policy). No deductible under your liability coverage.Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 03:31 am Post Subject:
I'm a 23 year old female. Should I make a claim or just pay it? If I turn it in, will my rate go up for something so small?
If you were only 24 and male . . . just kidding! I kind of figured you were female, since you said you backed into your husband's car. Have you tried to blame it on him for parking in the wrong place at the wrong time?
Technically, legally, you are probably required to report the collision to the DMV in your state (usually the minimum reporting amount is damage in excess of $500 or $750), but people violate that requirement every day of the year in every state in the US. Since the other party is your husband, I suppose you don't have to worry about him filing a claim against you and your insurance.
Whether you choose to report the incident to the DMV or not, you don't have to file the claim with your insurance company. If you do, they will pay the full cost of the repairs, as tcope has written above.
If you report it, will it increase your premium? It might. It's up to the insurance company to decide. Some companies are offering "accident forgiveness" as a way to attract new business. They often say that your first accident is a "freebie" -- no effect on your premium. Or they say that if you are with them for 2-3 years, and then have an accident, you get the "freebie".
Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 06:08 am Post Subject:
It's wonderful that there exists some thing called "accident forgiveness" in today's world. What's the catch on such freebies? Many of us would be happy to have no effect on our premium - but don't such limitations have any cap on the claims worth?
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