16 year old daughter scraped a car in a parking lot this morning. Lady was super nice, and she's going to take it by a body shop to get a quote before we involve insurance. How much would you guess our insurance will jump from this if we do a claim? Deductible is $995, so I'm inclined to just pay out of pocket if her damages are less than $3k or so. Thoughts?

This makes sense, thank you. I guess I would only pay the deductible if we get my daughter's car fixed?

Those kinds of things fall off the insurance after a few years so they don't affect the premium forever. But, when it does it won't matter because the premium will have increased anyway far more than the "penalty". I'd claim it and take it to the best shop you got and run with it. I pay a f- ton for insurance and I abuse it fully when I have a legit reason to. This is why you have it.

One thing I would do sooner than later is call your carrier and explain the other driver is getting a quote when you open a claim. Personally, i take my own photos with time stamps (so there is no additional magical damage after the fact), i don't admit fault, i don't give another driver any of my contact information. I don't want them contacting me and i don't like anything in writing. I provide them with my carrier, my name, and the policy number. The insurance man can do all of the correspondence and dealing with it. The last time i had an incident like this, it was a super smooth process.

Several things to consider …. Liability will pay first dollar to the claimant. If you fix your daughter's car under your policy, the collision deductible will be deducted from the settlement. Your premium will increase for the liability and collision portion of that car for 39 months (if in texas, and you dont have first accident forgiveness offered by some companies)

However, this may be more than a math problem … considering the damage is so minor; is this how you want to use your policy? Most young drivers will have multiple claims … I would consider paying this out of pocket (if you're able and the number is fair in your estimation) and save the chit for another day.

I get the "this is why I have insurance" crowd … however, like it of not, the insurance industry holds all the cards, always have, always will.

Don't pay out of pocket, a $3000 estimate will quickly become $4500 when they find more issues or can't get a part at the price they thought.

Also if you pay for the physical damage and she miraculously has a stiff neck or headache days later then you are on the hook for her medical bills because you accepted the liability instead of letting your insurance company accept the liability.

Wrong…

retiredintx said:

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Wrong…

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Who me? How?