drivingisfun
New Member
- 2
Hello,
Forgive me in advance for my lack of knowledge about auto insurance, but I'm in quite a pickle and wanted to see whether someone has either been in this situation or can provide some helpful advice.
A few weeks ago, I hit my friends parked car (they were not in it) in my other friend's driveway. There was no damage to my car, but his damage is an estimated $1,200 to fix (this is about the average of 4 estimates he received). I'm in between paying out of pocket for his damage, but have also considered filing an insurance claim (since there is no damage to my car, there is no deductible); however, I am unsure of how much my annual premium will go up and for how long the increased premiums will go up for. I called the insurance company to get a ballpark range, and they were very vague in providing a number (even when I said that the difference between saying hundreds a year to thousands a year would even be helpful). They cleverly transitioned this to me reporting the accident and when I asked whether my mere inquiring and notifying them of the accident will in itself will warrant increased premiums (as I did not even file a claim); again, a vague answer. I got off the phone after giving them a few details in fear of getting screwed.
My friend is asking whether I'm going through insurance or if I'm going to pay for the damage out of pocket. I'm inclined to pay out of pocket, but if the premiums don't go up that much I would be more inclined to file an insurance claim. I currently pay about $85-$90 a month for car insurance. In all of this, I have a few questions:
1) If you've been in this situation or know of anyone who has been in this situation, for how much and how long could I expect the premiums to increase? Even a ballpark range would be helpful, as I have no idea (trying to see whether the premiums overtime will cost more than paying $1,200 out of pocket).
2) If I call my insurance provider and tell them I did not want to file a claim, and that the accident did not happen, will my premiums go up regardless?
3) What would you do in this situation?
Thanks a lot in advance to anyone that can help me out!
Regards,
Bill
Forgive me in advance for my lack of knowledge about auto insurance, but I'm in quite a pickle and wanted to see whether someone has either been in this situation or can provide some helpful advice.
A few weeks ago, I hit my friends parked car (they were not in it) in my other friend's driveway. There was no damage to my car, but his damage is an estimated $1,200 to fix (this is about the average of 4 estimates he received). I'm in between paying out of pocket for his damage, but have also considered filing an insurance claim (since there is no damage to my car, there is no deductible); however, I am unsure of how much my annual premium will go up and for how long the increased premiums will go up for. I called the insurance company to get a ballpark range, and they were very vague in providing a number (even when I said that the difference between saying hundreds a year to thousands a year would even be helpful). They cleverly transitioned this to me reporting the accident and when I asked whether my mere inquiring and notifying them of the accident will in itself will warrant increased premiums (as I did not even file a claim); again, a vague answer. I got off the phone after giving them a few details in fear of getting screwed.
My friend is asking whether I'm going through insurance or if I'm going to pay for the damage out of pocket. I'm inclined to pay out of pocket, but if the premiums don't go up that much I would be more inclined to file an insurance claim. I currently pay about $85-$90 a month for car insurance. In all of this, I have a few questions:
1) If you've been in this situation or know of anyone who has been in this situation, for how much and how long could I expect the premiums to increase? Even a ballpark range would be helpful, as I have no idea (trying to see whether the premiums overtime will cost more than paying $1,200 out of pocket).
2) If I call my insurance provider and tell them I did not want to file a claim, and that the accident did not happen, will my premiums go up regardless?
3) What would you do in this situation?
Thanks a lot in advance to anyone that can help me out!
Regards,
Bill