Need some advice on what qualifies as a claim and what the insurance companies will do with things.

Background.

Daughter got distracted in a parking lot and hit a pole. Damaged the front bumper, broke the headlight and bent the hood. When she told me about it suggested with the ignorance of youth that she can just call the insurance company, I told her to wait on doing anything until I looked at it. A position based upon her having had another minor at fault acccodent in the summer. (She did great for five years of driving with no issues until this year -go fogure)


Found out today after getting something in the mail from State Farm about a claim that she had actually called and reported it to them, then called them back to cancel it after I told her not to call.

My questions revolve around how the insurance company will handle this type of situation. I was going to just have it fixed and make her pay me back. Didn't want two claims in the same year on her.

Will they treat it as a claim at this point regardless of what I do since they know about it? Does it make a difference if they know about it but don't have to make any payments? Should I just let insurance fix it now?

Obviously I expect premiums to go up, but am I in danger of them dropping us/ her?

Not sure how to get answers to these questions

Any expert advice?

Probably too late but you can pull your CLUE report to be sure.
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/tips/check-your-propertys-insurance-claim-history.html

Good question. I'll ask my buddy at the office of the president at USAA. I'll see if I can get an answer.

JamesPShelley said:

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No expert... but there's no un-ringing that bell.

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This

Do you mean she actually made a claim and then called and cancelled it? Is that what I understand?

Jason_Roofer said:

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Do you mean she actually made a claim and then called and cancelled it? Is that what I understand?

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Yes. This particular child has been going through a phase of thinking she knows everything her parents do Often making the wrong choice.

From what I have gathered she immediately called and made a claim thinking that was just what you do because you have insurance. Then after we talked and I said don't make a claim until I see it, she called them back and "canceled " the claim. As said above, I don't think you can unring that bell.

So if the bell cannot be unrung, I am trying to figure out if there are different level or if it is all or nothing.

If it is all or nothing, I might as well go ahead and finish the claim and let them fix it and deal with what comes.

If there are levels and not actually following through will dramatically reduce the impact on future premiums and such, then I would go that route.

Just have no clue which way it works.

Absolute said:

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Jason_Roofer said:

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Do you mean she actually made a claim and then called and cancelled it? Is that what I understand?

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Yes. This particular child has been going through a phase of thinking she knows everything her parents do Often making the wrong choice.

From what I have gathered she immediately called and made a claim thinking that was just what you do because you have insurance. Then after we talked and I said don't make a claim until I see it, she called them back and "canceled " the claim. As said above, I don't think you can unring that bell.

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I misunderstood thinking she self reported but didn't file. I always self report if someone hits me or something, even if I don't make the claim. Making the claim and cancelling, that's going to show up. I don't think it's going to affect much if you don't play it out though. It's a learning experience, kids always know more than their parents, it won't change until they have their own kids. LOL.

But, if the damage is greater than 30% more than the deductible (my limit and cutoff), personally, and I know the board disagrees, I will maximize the hell out of that claim. This is kind of the arena I make a living in so I know the game better than most of the claim handlers. I already pay out the nose for no particular reason, so I will use any and every excuse to get my pound of flesh back.

Absolute said:

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Obviously I expect premiums to go up, but am I in danger of them dropping us/ her?

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You can move her to her own policy.

Anecdotal and I don't remember all of the details, but a few years ago a friend filed a claim after hitting some high water that affected the transmission. Insurance pushed back on saying it was a collision claim, so after some back and forth they were able to retract the claim so it wouldn't show on the record/policy. One of them had worked in health insurance and said there was specific way to make the request.

Anyway, they traded it in w/ no history of flood damage.

GrimesCoAg95 said:

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Absolute said:

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Obviously I expect premiums to go up, but am I in danger of them dropping us/ her?

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You can move her to her own policy.

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Yeah that is the plan. Had been waiting for this school year to start because she is in a house at school that wil/can be her permanent address.

I had this happen ~15 years ago with USAA. Went off the road in ice. Had no cell phone signal or way to look up a tow. Finally someone stopped with cell, and I called insurance for roadside. They opened a claim for damages because I told them I couldn't tell if there was damage due to the way the car sat.

I ended up not using insurance for anything, but it still hit my CLUE report as a claim. I had a small rate bump that year, but it could have been normal rate fluctuations. I also wasn't a teen and hadn't had any recent claims which may have played a part.

USAA CAN delete claims so they don't show up on clue or lexisnexis. My contact did confirm that. It can be done but it is not done often.

Knowing my daughter, she probably convinced them the pole hit her.

Hitting a fish or animal would have been better. That falls under comprehensive coverage and that deductible is far less than collision.

My first deer/vehicle collision was when a deer ran into the side of my truck. The deer hit me. Left a noseprint under the mirror on the driver side door. Then proceeded to crater the whole side of the truck from there back.

The then wife did not believe me - until almost the exact same thing happened to Her a year later just two mile from where it happened to me.

Insurance never questioned it, but it is the best one out there- Ag Workers. They paid several animal claims in 5 years. One of the disadvantages of living in Utopia.

Do you not know your State Farm agent? Call them to discuss.

Recent studies suggest that most women eventually turn into good drivers. So if you're a good driver, WATCH OUT!

Can I get Uninsured Fish rider?

We have AAA, and membership as a barrier might make a carrier more willing to work with you.

Both my mom and wife have hit poles in parking lots, but I was able to intervene and helped them handle it.