Vehicle Insurance Claim ?

[awry]

Had minor parking lot fender bender. My F150 is fine but the 2108 Suburban has damage. I had thought about paying out-of-pocket but the estimate came back at $1700, a bit higher than I expect. I called my insurance, Amica, to get a rough estimate on how a claim would affect my renewal price. Amica stated that though it would affect the renewal price, they cannot tell me until I renew which is January 2020.

Question is what is the thought process for determining if one should pay out-of-pocket or file a claim? Couple of things I state 1) I’ve used Amica for about 7 years and never filed a claim before 2) Amica claims I currently receive a $420 discount on my 6 month policy and one reason is “claim free discount”

Thanks

[Feathershredder]

Insurance is for things that will financially ruin you not financially cripple you. That’s why I advise higher deductibles to my clients . It keeps them from making small claims. One claim in 7 years shouldn’t drive your rates up too much. That said everyone’s situation is different.


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[jlp04c]

If the people you hit will allow it, I'd ask them to get a second estimate

[captainsling]

Did you ask about accident forgiveness? Several companies have this.

[Atfulldraw]

just pay it out of pocket, and don't get squirrelly or the other person can file on your insurance without you.

You'll almost certainly lose your claim free discount (which might be the majority of that $840 a year) and will probably get a surcharge on top of that.

In your shoes, I wouldn't have even called them to ask about this one....


PS - body shop and parts prices are out of hand. A guy hit Courtney's tail light in a parking lot a few weeks ago and I offered to get him a price on the repair before calling his carrier. The light was $770, the bulb was $50, and the repair ended up close to $2K.

[CTR0022]

the only issue with paying out of pocket is if there is a supplement (additional damage they locate when they tear the unit down) and the person you hit may expect you to cover their rental cost while the unit is in the shop. you could easily be out of pocket another grand depending on the supp.

[mudbone]

just pay it out of pocket, and don't get squirrelly or the other person can file on your insurance without you.

You'll almost certainly lose your claim free discount (which might be the majority of that $840 a year) and will probably get a surcharge on top of that.

In your shoes, I wouldn't have even called them to ask about this one....


PS - body shop and parts prices are out of hand. A guy hit Courtney's tail light in a parking lot a few weeks ago and I offered to get him a price on the repair before calling his carrier. The light was $770, the bulb was $50, and the repair ended up close to $2K.

Why have insurance at all!!!!

[deerplanter]

It's funny how some insurance's work. My wife has totaled one car and messed another one up bad plus the cars she hit and our insurance never went up. I know I was told my insurance goes off my credit score and not my driving record. My deductible is $1000 so it would only cost me $700 more, I would go with out of pocket.