Is it better to get a car fixed through insurance or out of your own pocket?Can Insurance raise the premium if
your car was hit by another driver while it is parked and you were inside of the house, and you tell the insurance agency, do you need to also tell the DMV, and then can the DMV put on your driving record that you have a point for an accident or something?
Can the auto insurance company raise your insurance rates?
And can companies and agencies keep all of this in a record for years that could be a burden later?
Basically, would it be better just to get the car exterior fixed at a private auto body shop, on your own, out of your own pocket?
Lover not a Fighter posted: 29 Aug at 4:58 pm
The repair bills are just 100 dollar or less, then just do it. If the bill comes out to many hundreds of dollars, then of course the insurance would be better (even with slight rate hike).
But it is the in between value that is the question mark.
Good luck…
P.S. insurance company love to scare you about rate hike. Hmmm….
carl.parker@ymail.com posted: 29 Aug at 5:05 pm
Making a claim will not increase your premiums, unless you caused an at fault accident. Therefore, in your case of this hit & run, your rate will not be effected.
Depending upon the state you reside in, you must notify DMV when the damages are above a certain threshold. In CA, any accident above $750 must be reported regardless. Just because an accident will show on your record, this does not effect you, unless you were at fault for this accident. If you don’t report and DMV finds out, your DL can be suspended. Therefore, get in contact with DMV quickly.
If the damages are more than your required deductible to pay, than use your insurance. It will be cheaper for you financially, and it will not effect your rate. Making too many claims can cause for your policy to be cancelled. But, will not increase your premiums in a case like this one.
You are paying your insurance premiums for situations like this, get some of that money back from the carrier you have been paying payments to
Alan S. posted: 29 Aug at 5:26 pm
It really just depends on the cost.
If it’s a low cost repair and especially if it is below any deductible on your policy, you might as well just go ahead and fix it yourself.
Your deductible is the amount you would have to pay out of pocket anyway if you file claim.
Good Luck
General Insurance Agent