Car damaged a few days after I lowered deductible...problems?

[FearoftheNight]

Hey guys. I bought a car last end of last October and bought insurance with a 1000 deductible the same day. In any case, I got back from vacation at the end of January and decided to reduce the deductible to 500 as it was too high. In any case, about a week later someone rammed my fender in the parking lot of my gym when I wasn't there. I'd like to file a claim with my car insurance....will I have problems with filing a claim shortly after lowering the deductible? I'm glad I lowered but I'm concerned they'll give me problems and would like some advice...

Thanks guys!

 

[BoomerD]

:hmm: That's gonna seem a bit suspicious...did you call the cops and if so, did they write a report?

 

[FearoftheNight]

Nope. To clarify it was a hit and run... Also, I didn't have the insurance at 1000 deductible for a very long time...I it was for about 3 months and I can prove I wasn't even in the country for the last month of it...I thought about it while I was away and changed it pretty much 3 or 4 days after I got back....What should I do? =|

 

[BoomerD]

You didn't file a police report over a hit & run accident?

Why?

 

[FearoftheNight]

The damage was there. Not sure what that would have done? Sorry if this is dumb. This is my first time buying a car and dealing with insurance...

 

[FearoftheNight]

I mean I also looked at this http://www.dmv.org/tips-for-handling-a-hit-and-run-driver-claim.php

"In these situations, just record the basic information (date, time, place, damage) and contact the police. That's essentially all you can do, unless you're a dynamite private investigator."

I can still contact them w/ the information I guess...

 

[watdaflip]

I would imagine the biggest issue you will have is not having any proof of the accident more than having recently changed your deductible.

Perhaps, go to a body shop, get an estimate on the damaged and inquire about people who have been in similar situations. Most shops give free estimates, and it won't get your insurance company involved unless you choose to get you car repaired there. Will give you a better idea with what to do next.

What insurance company do you have? Chances are if you have a company like Progressive, Geico, State Farm, etc, they are already going to be as hassle to begin with, they might fight having to pay for the repairs.

 

[FearoftheNight]

I already went to a few body shops and have some estimates. I have Geico. Based on what I've read and seen it's conflicting...either the insurance fights or threatens to drop from insurance....others say if I changed it for any reason they are obligated to honor the lowered deductible...

 

[gorcorps]

The damage was there. Not sure what that would have done? Sorry if this is dumb. This is my first time buying a car and dealing with insurance...

After starting this thread do you really have to ask? Police report is your proof that something happened and that you won't have any problems with insurance. It turns what looks like potential insurance fraud into just good timing. With that police report you wouldn't have had to create this thread at all because you would already have proof something happened.

 

[Wingznut]

How long ago did the accident happen?

And yes, you should've notified the police and your insurance company immediately after discovering the damage.

A police report is your evidence of pretty much everything. Who's to say that the damage wasn't your fault? Perhaps you hit something... Perhaps YOU were the hit and run offender.

(Not that I am actually accusing you of that. But someone might.)

 

[Number1]

Sounds like fraud to me. Not calling the police is highly suspicious.
Expect your rate to go up if you proceed with the claim.

 

[Wingznut]

I have to say that it's quite odd that you bought a new car, that you absolutely love, less than four months ago, and it was the victim of a hit and run... Yet you didn't feel the need to immediately report it.

I certainly wouldn't be so casual about it, if it were my car.

 

[Rifter]

Without a police report i wouldnt bother trying to make a claim, its not going to end well for you if you do. It will just get denied and you are going to end up under investigation for insurance fraud.

 

[DrPizza]

I find a number of things very suspicious.
Already mentioned: that you casually waited a while without even making a police report. If someone hit and run my vehicle, I'd be on the phone in a minute.

Two: maybe it's not true of all gyms, but my gym has a log for all members to sign in. How the hell hard can it be to track down "who left while I was at the gym?" If I had a 3 month old vehicle, you can bet your ass I'd be trying to figure out who did it. (And, I did track down a vehicle that hit my parked car; the owner was charged with leaving the scene - my vehicle was damaged to the point that it had to be towed; couldn't be driven.)

 

[DCal430]

I mean I also looked at this http://www.dmv.org/tips-for-handling-a-hit-and-run-driver-claim.php

"In these situations, just record the basic information (date, time, place, damage) and contact the police. That's essentially all you can do, unless you're a dynamite private investigator."

I can still contact them w/ the information I guess...

In many states you are required to report such .

 

[Capt Caveman]

Didn't notify the police and you waited til now to report it? Wow.

They're just going to raise your rates, so matter as not file.

 

[waggy]

/sniff sniff

I smell insurance fraud!

 

[amdhunter]

Happened to a friend of mine. They denied the lower deductible because he didn't have a police report for the time of the accident.

They adjusted his policy for the lower amount after the repair.

 

[JTsyo]

Is the repair cost below $1K? Might just want to get it fixed w/o insurance.

 

[olds]

Op you're going to be fvcked when they look at the video of the parking lot and realize you are trying to scam them.

 

[MixMasterTang]

How much damage is there? I find it hard to believe there would be more than $500 damage if your car was in a parking space and someone clipped your fender. Were you backed into the spot or pulled in?

 

[BoomerD]

How much damage is there? I find it hard to believe there would be more than $500 damage if your car was in a parking space and someone clipped your fender. Were you backed into the spot or pulled in?

Hell, nowadays, just getting a scratch buffed out will run you about $500...I was in a minor rear-ender last year, dent in trunk lid and new tail light...was almost $2000 in damages...plus the rental car for a week.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

You trying to get a cash payout for "damages"?

Were you "injured" in this "hit and run"?

 

[Xonim]

Don't bother filing. You're better off eating the repair costs than you would be filing a claim and dealing with increased rates.

That's why increasing your deductible is one of the best ways to lower your rate. You're less likely to file claims for small stupid things.

 

[Kev]

Hell, nowadays, just getting a scratch buffed out will run you about $500

Wat

Who are you taking your car to? And is your car painted with gold?