does Insurance go up if....

by Guest » Fri Oct 10, 2008 02:28 am
Guest

Does your insurance go up if your car is hit in a parking lot while you're not even in it, and don't discover it for a couple of days?

Here's what happened. I Know I saw my right front signal light 4 days ago and it was fine. Since then every time I've approached my car it has been from the drivers side, until today when I happened to walk around it and discovered the front right corner smashed. :(

The only thing i can figure is I got nailed while parked in one of at least 3 parking lots. :oops: sigh...

So, I suppose if I ask the insurance company I've been paying very well, to fix it, they'll increase my rates?

Total Comments: 10

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 03:13 am Post Subject: does insurance go up if....

I really would appreciate a reply...

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 04:39 am Post Subject:

Hi lost in TX
Your's seems to be a hit and run case. Well, in that case it depends on the state laws that you have, combined with your insurance company's guidelines whether your rates will be increased or not. Some states however, do not raise the rates for a hit and run case. But i hope you have an uninsured motorist coverage since you do not have a clue as to who or what caused the damage to your car.

Hope I've been able to help :)

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 05:35 am Post Subject:

Well, the decision will largely depend upon the particular insurance company. Some insurers may not increase the premium when you're not the party at-fault. Sil, is right to some extent that your case may fall under the category of hit-and-run since no other driver has accepted the responsibility for the damages. However, the state law may only help in deciding the party at-fault, it, however, has nothing to do with the rate changes. It'll depend entirely upon the insurance company's business policies.

If you have been continuous with premium payment, with no policy lapses and no claims in your record, there is likelihood that your premium rate remains unaltered.

~Jeremy

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 09:24 am Post Subject:

Most carriers this would not be a 'chargeable' accident especially if this is the first hit and run you have turned in, ask the agent, adjuster or policy services for your carrier...many things come into play such as how long you've had the policy how many claims and so on.

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 01:22 pm Post Subject:

I'm in TX, been with AAA for 1.5 yrs when I switched for lower rates. Yes, I have comprehensive. I have filed no claims. No inturruptions in my policy.

I have been steadily paying one carrier, or another, for some 30+ years. I hate to even think about how much money I've given away to keeping insurance companies alive. And I suspect I'm paying way too much for my 14 year old vehicle. I'm sure, all they'd ever pay on it is blue book, which at this point is probably diddley. Makes me sick that when you need them you can't even call to ask, for fear of your rates being increased. Because you know they won't answer a single thing without first getting all your information, including policy #, where they'll be jotting down notes in your file.

CAN THEY RAISE YOUR RATES FOR SIMPLY CALLING TO ASK? EVEN IF YOU DECIDE TO JUST DEAL WITH IT YOURSELF? CAN THEY RAISE YOUR RATES WITH SIMPLY THE INFO?

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 01:40 pm Post Subject:

Call your agent, not the claims department. I have seen instances where someone would call claims simply to ask if they should file a claim about something and it's marked as an "incident." Your agent, if he/she is even a decent one, will be able to answer your questions without getting claims involved.

Do keep in mind that agents usually don't know what claims will do. I have people asking me all the time if their rates will go up if they file a claim. I tell them that I simply don't know. I can give my best educated guess but...

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 06:00 pm Post Subject:

Thjats why I have always called my agent first. If they are a really good one they will tell you the best route to go and how it will effect you.

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:55 am Post Subject:

Now wait a sec...

I hate to even think about how much money I've given away to keeping insurance companies alive.

You got something for your money...and you alone didn't keep anyone afloat :wink: if you lost control of your vehicle wacked a couple of cars injured 10 people you wouldn't have had to pay a cent out of your pocket, they would've paid and respresented you in these claims...ALL and EVERYONE'S insurance premiums are too high...but you do get something for the money...

And I suspect I'm paying way too much for my 14 year old vehicle.

Then you need to do some shopping and find out...

I'm sure, all they'd ever pay on it is blue book, which at this point is probably diddley

First of all wouldn't be blue book NADA maybe, but they would owe you the ACV (actual cash value) of your vehicle, if your vehicle is worth diddley then that's what you'd get...surely you don't think they'd owe you more than your vehicle's value right? If your vehicle is 14yrs old, unless it's a high end car you might be better off dropping the collision and comp coverage..if you want to post the yr/make/model/mileage and options and any UNREPAIRED damage I'd be happy to run a value and then you'd know about what an insurance company would pay you in the event of a total loss, then you can make an educated decision about the collison and comp..(most expensive coverages by the way)...

Makes me sick that when you need them you can't even call to ask, for fear of your rates being increased. Because you know they won't answer a single thing without first getting all your information, including policy #, where they'll be jotting down notes in your file.

Oh come on, help help the paranoids are after me...seriously no body is jotting anything in your file... :roll: they need to know this information to see what class you are, rate table prior claims etc...or would you rather they 'guess' then be wrong and that would tick you off too..

CAN THEY RAISE YOUR RATES FOR SIMPLY CALLING TO ASK?

NO!

EVEN IF YOU DECIDE TO JUST DEAL WITH IT YOURSELF?

NO!

CAN THEY RAISE YOUR RATES WITH SIMPLY THE INFO?

NO AGAIN!

Look AAA is a moderate sized company, either call your agent, who probably won't know...or call the 800 number and ask if you can speak with someone in policy services, see if they can answer the question...if they can't then ask them what is the 'spend' point that causes a rate increase...most companys have a thresold, like 600bucks, more than that 'IF' and only 'IF' it's a chargeable accident you can get a rate increase, another option is to contact your states dept of ins...they have a web site, on that web site is a consumer area, you can read there about rate increase, they usually also have a consumer advocate that you can ask questions of...please do let us know what you find out.

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 01:12 am Post Subject:

I agree here Lori. There has been several times I have had to contact my agent and they never processed a claim I didn't want to or mislead me in anyway. I guess it comes down to attitude and how much faith you have in your ins. company and agent.
I seen on tv the aaa has started (or maybe it was there before and I didn't know) an insurance company that even covers home owners. I actually thought of looking into that one.

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 01:50 am Post Subject:

the way I see it, its like a hit and run case to me...with regards to the car insurance, I think it depends on the insurance company or on the agreement that you settle.

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