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Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought #2734056
01/18/20 02:10 AM
01/18/20 02:10 AM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 270
Bennett, Colorado
Charger69RT8 Offline OP
enthusiast
Charger69RT8  Offline OP
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Posts: 270
Bennett, Colorado
The situation:
My daughter backed into my Challenger late last week. See pictures. Struggling on what to do. Daughter is 22, on our insurance, and a college student with one semester to go. No tickets, no prior accidents. Her vehicle has liability only. My car has full coverage. Insurance company is State Farm which has homeowners and cars. The last insurance claim I had was about 8 to 10 years ago for hail damage on the house roof. Different insurer at the time. I carry $1000 deductible for the lower premiums and have been money ahead over the years doing so.

The damage:
Two conventional estimates for repairs are $1500 & $1600. Both indicate fixing fender with spot color repair and full new clear coat on fender. Repair door and full color and clear on door. One paint-less estimate is $2500 which I like the idea of due to my fears of paint mismatch and getting worse over time. And the benefit of zero body filler / bondo. I plan to keep this car for a very long time.

The dilemma:
Do I submit it to insurance and roll the dice on what it will do to my rates? Or potentially more importantly what it may do to my daughters rates, as she will soon be on her own and having to pay the rates? Or just cover the $500 to $600 extra it will cost me and get it fixed via conventional means. If I go with paint-less the bill is going to be much harder to swallow, but it won't break me. Not a fan of spending what I don't have to / miser / cheep bastag. If it were yours, what would you do?

For those who've had recent experience or in the know please opine.

DAMAGE-1.jpgDAMAGE-2.jpg

2012 Challenger SRT
2012 Charger SXT AWD
69 Charger R/T
78 Chrysler New Yorker 440CI
89 Dodge Daytona ES 2.5L Turbo
99 Ram 2500 4X4 5.9L6
Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: Charger69RT8] #2734061
01/18/20 02:41 AM
01/18/20 02:41 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,661
Jefferson State
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srt Online content
ESYC
srt  Online Content
ESYC
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Posts: 15,661
Jefferson State
Have you read your policy about first claim forgiveness?
If I were in your position I'd ask my agent your question, and likely opt to pay for repairs myself.
Safe claims for the big stuff.

Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: srt] #2734063
01/18/20 03:07 AM
01/18/20 03:07 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,471
Minnesota
Hemi_Joel Offline
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Hemi_Joel  Offline
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Minnesota
No way would I turn in a claim to get $600. Not worth it. It WILL count against you. Maybe or maybe not right away, but it will send a strong signal to the underwriters that you are a claim filer. They consider that at renewal time. They look at claim frequency, claim severity, and overall premium/loss ratio. Suppose you get a $5000+ claim in the next 36 months. Then you will have 2 claims on your record, and the rates will for sure go up.

On the repairs, I would go paintless. Shop around a lot more, you can get it cheaper.


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Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: srt] #2734066
01/18/20 03:23 AM
01/18/20 03:23 AM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,248
Florida STAYcation
dIc dOc Deity ! Offline
The village idiot's idiot
dIc dOc Deity !  Offline
The village idiot's idiot

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,248
Florida STAYcation
Insurance claim forgiveness? Yeah right ! For a business like this that can and will rate you NOT JUST BASED on your claim history BUT on your credit score ... whata buncha apimp

DONT get me started on these apimp .....

I’ve never had a-claim in 50 years (no wait - that’s my grandfather!) and I had the tenants(who were supposedly buying the place) in my Michigan property RIP ME OFF ... those a holes stole the whole kitchen and cleaned out my garage and barn !

Then the insurance company said I wasn’t properly insured !

Someone here said ... an insurance company is NOT your friend

I’m not done with them !

Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: srt] #2734074
01/18/20 06:34 AM
01/18/20 06:34 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,773
Puttin' on the foil in Charles...
not_a_charger Offline
Mr. Big Shot Moparts Moderator
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Posts: 19,773
Puttin' on the foil in Charles...
25+ year career in insurance claims, so take my advice for what you will.

Hemi Joel's explanation is spot-on accurate.

Quote
Have you read your policy about first claim forgiveness?


That's an endorsement, for which you pay an additional premium. Essentially, accident forgiveness means that you are pre-paying the premium increase that would occur if you had an accident...even if you never have an accident. No one should have this. Utter waste of money. Also, there's still a record in ISO of any claim you file, regardless of "forgiveness," meaning that if you switch companies, your new carrier will know about that loss, and will rate you accordingly.

Looking at the pix of the damage, if the dent in the door extends all the way to the edge, it's unlikely that PDR can get all off the damage out of the door. There's no access in that area, since that's where the skin is attached to the shell. The pix aren't very good, so I can't say for certain, but that's my first impression. If they can PDR the whole thing, and the paint transfer buffs out and didn't cut through the clear into the color coat, that would be a great idea, but only IF they can get ALL of the damage. Your concerns about a conventional repair aren't warranted, provided that you have a qualified shop do the repairs. Modern paints/clears are very durable when applied after proper prep, and color matching is not an issue for a good shop. Also...dirty little secret...there's already body filler in your car anyway...you just don't know it.

Also, a general statement...If any PDR tech ever wants to drill holes for access, or separate components that have foam insulation between them (such as the door skin and side impact beam), tell them to take a hike, Drilling a hole for that damage isn't feasible, but I've seen them do it in other areas. Trading one problem for an even worse problem.


Me? No way am I filing a claim for that.


Earning every penny of that moderator paycheck.

DBAP
Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: not_a_charger] #2734084
01/18/20 09:32 AM
01/18/20 09:32 AM
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 38
Cleveland, Ohio
HarryM Offline
member
HarryM  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 38
Cleveland, Ohio

No matter what the insurance company says...You will get charged more down the road! Just pay to have it fixed & move on. If you claim it with State Farm, you will lose one of your discounts, they claim they have been giving you "accident-free"

Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: HarryM] #2734098
01/18/20 10:24 AM
01/18/20 10:24 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,153
Mass
DAYCLONA Offline
I Live Here
DAYCLONA  Offline
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Posts: 18,153
Mass
Having had Snake Farm as an Auto Insurer in the past and having a claim "handled" by them,...I'd suck up the loss from my own pocket in your situation IMHO

Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: HarryM] #2734100
01/18/20 10:25 AM
01/18/20 10:25 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,110
sw michigan
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TB3CUDA Offline
super stock
TB3CUDA  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,110
sw michigan
this is why insurance companys make big money,have people affraid to make claims,what is insurance for,accidents,i just filed a claim on our challenger its a lease,and will be going back when lease is up, wife scapped the from lower spoiler had the lease co inspect the car,after reading there report on line they are charging us $305 for a new front spoiler,you cant even see the scuff.so we call haggerty who insures it,sent them a link for the report had a check with in the week. was told a long time ago to shop every 2 years for insurance rates,if you watch tv every other commercial is for insurance buying for your business.file get your money if they raise it find new insurance co that wants you as a customer.our home owners did the same thing came out took pics of our property,had a parts car out back on the 4 acres we have,they also got within 10 feet of our front slider and 1 of our 3 german shepards was doing her job barking at them(dangerous dog according to them),they raised our rates from $500 a year to $3500 a year,double middle fingers to them and found the same home owners coverage with the dogs on them for $650 from another ins co.

DSCF5179.JPG
Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: TB3CUDA] #2734124
01/18/20 11:31 AM
01/18/20 11:31 AM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 270
Bennett, Colorado
Charger69RT8 Offline OP
enthusiast
Charger69RT8  Offline OP
enthusiast

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 270
Bennett, Colorado
Thank you to ALL who replied. That is exactly what I was hoping for. I greatly appreciate everyone's perspective. Moparts is great!


2012 Challenger SRT
2012 Charger SXT AWD
69 Charger R/T
78 Chrysler New Yorker 440CI
89 Dodge Daytona ES 2.5L Turbo
99 Ram 2500 4X4 5.9L6
Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: Charger69RT8] #2734142
01/18/20 12:20 PM
01/18/20 12:20 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,808
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
Pacnorthcuda  Offline
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Posts: 21,808
Kirkland, Washington
I agree with others.....do not turn it in for a claim. I have SERIOUS doubts paintless dent removal can be successful with that. The paint Is ‘broken’ as they say. I would go for a conventional fix, but make sure they are going to spend some time pulling the damage and not just a quick mud fill.

Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: Hemi_Joel] #2734177
01/18/20 01:02 PM
01/18/20 01:02 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,342
It's a dry heat
gtx6970 Offline
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It's a dry heat
Originally Posted by Hemi_Joel
No way would I turn in a claim to get $600. Not worth it. It WILL count against you. Maybe or maybe not right away, but it will send a strong signal to the underwriters that you are a claim filer. They consider that at renewal time. They look at claim frequency, claim severity, and overall premium/loss ratio. Suppose you get a $5000+ claim in the next 36 months. Then you will have 2 claims on your record, and the rates will for sure go up.


^
this 100%

to basically net a $600 difference? Not a chance
. I can assure you the Insurance Co WILL get it back . one way or another sooner or later

BUT ,, what I would do is maybe split it with my daughter. If the money comes out of her pocket. She WILL look closer / drive safer because of it. Just MY twocents

Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: Charger69RT8] #2734183
01/18/20 01:15 PM
01/18/20 01:15 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,695
central il.
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second 70 Offline
top fuel
second 70  Offline
top fuel
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,695
central il.
That extra $600 you pay out of your pocket will be the best investment you will ever make.

Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: second 70] #2734213
01/18/20 02:27 PM
01/18/20 02:27 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
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jcc Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc  Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
For God sakes man, do absolutely nothing, even just calling your insurance company with a question, is a black mark on your record.

Everything they do is seen as an opportunity to raise your rates now or in the future, and they are exempt from normal collusion restrictions, besides huge lobby efforts.


Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: jcc] #2734255
01/18/20 05:09 PM
01/18/20 05:09 PM
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Posts: 4,131
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5thAve Offline
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For that repair price pay for yourself to fix it. It'll be cheaper then having your premiums going up.
I don't know how successful paintless dent repair is going to be at that spot either. The high spot in the crease is because of the inner door structure and they usually can't get to those areas too well. A good painter should be be able to match that without any problems.

Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: 5thAve] #2734382
01/19/20 10:13 AM
01/19/20 10:13 AM
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Posts: 586
UP
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finn Offline
mopar
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State Farm will give you one or two Mulligans, can’t remember which, before the accident counts against you. The accident stays with you for a three year period, then drops off your record.

Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: finn] #2734407
01/19/20 11:33 AM
01/19/20 11:33 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,773
Puttin' on the foil in Charles...
not_a_charger Offline
Mr. Big Shot Moparts Moderator
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Puttin' on the foil in Charles...
Originally Posted by finn
State Farm will give you one or two Mulligans, can’t remember which, before the accident counts against you. The accident stays with you for a three year period, then drops off your record.


None of this is correct.


Earning every penny of that moderator paycheck.

DBAP
Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: not_a_charger] #2734541
01/19/20 04:38 PM
01/19/20 04:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,471
Minnesota
Hemi_Joel Offline
master
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Minnesota
Here's an example of how this can bite you. in our state there is a law that says your insurance company can't count windshield replacements against you. so my wife got two windshields replaced in two years and I didn't think anything of it. That was from State farm. Then Farm Bureau came along and gave me a really good rate on my commercial building and wanted to write my auto. They gave me an initial quote on the auto which blew State farm out of the water. When I said yes, they needed to collect our drivers license information and check the claim history. He got back to me and said they wouldn't write us because of the glass claims. I said that I thought in Minnesota they weren't allowed to hold that against you. They said that they couldn't use the glass claims to determine the rate, so they just chose not to write the policy at all. So it cost me a bunch of money to have to stay with State farm instead of switch to Farm Bureau.

Last edited by Hemi_Joel; 01/19/20 04:40 PM.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]
31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum
RS23J71
RS27J77
RP23J71
RO23J71
WM21J8A
I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do.
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: Hemi_Joel] #2734544
01/19/20 04:44 PM
01/19/20 04:44 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,773
Puttin' on the foil in Charles...
not_a_charger Offline
Mr. Big Shot Moparts Moderator
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Mr. Big Shot Moparts Moderator

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Posts: 19,773
Puttin' on the foil in Charles...
Quote
They said that they couldn't use the glass claims to determine the rate


That is correct. MN is a very consumer-friendly state with regard to car insurance. The law you refer to is designed to prevent your existing insurer from increasing your rates due to glass claims. If you shop for a new carrier, the loss frequency itself will follow you, as I mentioned in my initial reply. ISO has a record of everything.


Earning every penny of that moderator paycheck.

DBAP
Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: finn] #2734655
01/19/20 09:44 PM
01/19/20 09:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,131
Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
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5thAve Offline
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Originally Posted by finn
State Farm will give you one or two Mulligans, can’t remember which, before the accident counts against you. The accident stays with you for a three year period, then drops off your record.


State Farm usually includes something as part of your premium to protect your rate if you have an accident in X number of years so you rate might not go up but it still counts against you and will show up if you shop around or if you have another claim.

Last edited by 5thAve; 01/19/20 09:45 PM.
Re: Opinions and experience on small insurance claim sought [Re: 5thAve] #2734694
01/19/20 11:34 PM
01/19/20 11:34 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 621
Iowa
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coronetville Offline
mopar
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mopar
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 621
Iowa
eat the 600$ eat at micky ds for a month or two

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