Insurance Claim questions

Questions for those with auto insurance experience.

Wife came home one day after doing some shopping and found damage to her fender that appears to be from someone scraping by the car in a parking lot. We just filed a claim but obviously won’t hear from anyone at the ins company until Tues. Two questions: she didn’t file a police report because she has no idea where this actually happened. In fact it could have been the day before in a different city and she just didn’t notice. Does this cause issues for the claim? Second, does this not at fault incident impact our premiums?

 

@not a charger you do insurance, no?

 

Any claim may (and probably will) impact your premiums.

 

The last time I had a claim that was not due to fault, there was no premium impact. I would like to hear from someone with insurance expertise on this.

 

It depends on your policy.

Some insurers will want to file that under uninsured coverage (hit and run), in which case a police report is required.

As for the second question... it depends on your provider. I once had premiums go up because I got a free windshield chip repair.

 

In 2024, be prepared for any outcome... I'm hearing from many people that they've either experienced significant increases even for no fault claims and even being dropped after repairs completed. .. were I in your position, I'd balance total repair vs out of pocket costs using insurance... and proceed with caution but with more info... than just trust insurance

 

Already submitted a claim but did weigh the decision beforehand with a quote. Unfortunately the headlight housing was damaged which nearly doubles the cost. At about $3500+ my premiums would have to go up by 70% for a break even, which is highly unlikely.

 

A claim can’t be filed for underinsured/uninsured if the driver can’t be identified for verification of their lack of insurance. So this will be under collision.

 

I assume your calculation here is for a single year, but if there is an increased premium it may stick around for far longer. Just a thought.

 

Imagine if a 70% increase in my yearly premium was $3500….

No that was a 70% increase for three straight years, which is pretty conservative given that the surcharge tails off each consecutive policy period.

 

Insurance rates are stupid, and repairs inflated and stupid as well... the overall economy is a factor as well... and insurance companies adjust rates yearly based on markets, and optimization of their bottom line...

 

Not always the case, as long as the contact rule applies a hit and run should be covered by uninsured/underinsured coverage. At least it would be for Allstate

 

OP get that story straight for sure. As other said it depends on your provider if your rates go up. Check if your company provides claim forgiveness

 

Get what story straight?

 

The day that it happened. Your best guess is still the truth.

 

We know what day it was, just not which parking lot. Even if we had less info it wouldn’t affect the claim.

 

Not to nitpick but you literally said it could've been the previous day in a different city.

 

There’s an outside chance it happened the day prior where she works, but highly unlikely given the geometry of the lot and her parking place. I just don’t know for sure. I can only say the day before that I saw that particular part of the car and no damage. Much, much more likely it happened in one of five store parking lots the following day.

But, it doesn’t matter. The insurance company isn’t going to deny my claim because I can’t be 100% certain about one day versus the other. So I don’t know why we’re talking about this.

 

I don’t know when your last claim was but things have changed a lot. You don’t want to hear anything but what you want to hear (so it seems by your replies).

My daughter just had her rates increased from a similar claim (car was hit in a lot, no clue who or how it happened).
Her company told her not to worry but three months later guess what?

The only way to guarantee no rate increase is pay out of your pocket. Depending on your deductible that may be a good idea.

Good luck.

 

What I wanted, as stated in my first post, was to hear from people with insurance expertise. Anecdotal stories don’t help much one way or another. My comment about my last claim was simply a data point (two years old) which has bearing because it’s the same insurance company, same vehicle, same insured, same zip code.

I have no problem believing a premium rise is in order, from what I’ve read about my state I can expect about a 5% increase on average for no fault. I simply don’t believe my insurance is going to skyrocket or drop me.

Maybe I should have specifically asked for feedback only from adjusters, claims experts, or agents, my mistake.

My policy renews in about a month so I’ll provide my actual premium change, if any.