Drove off a curb....

[AntiFreze]

I'm so pissed. I was leaving a restaurant and thought i was lined up with the slope hill that goes from lot to street. Well the way i was angled, only the left side was. The right side fell right off the curb. I was going about 3mph.

My passenger side door now scrapes when I open it which I assume is the right front quarter panel which could have gotten moved. The bottom long running board piece is scratched and bowed out near the front tire and a screw was just hanging there.

There doesnt appear to be any tire/frame damage, and the alignment didnt seem like an issue. I'm going to take it in to the dealer to have them look at it. It's a 2004 stock 350z. I have Geico insurance with a $500 deductable. I guess I'll just have to see if the damage is under $500. This sucks.



Will Geico cover this kind of damage? Anyone know ballpark what the dealer will charge for this? any advice/help would be appreciated.

 

[amdhunter]

Yeah, they'll cover it. Sucks that it got bent like that. It will probably cost a little bit more than $500 and the car will probably need to be painted in that area. Your paint is nearly 5 years old now, I would be worried about matching paint more than the body damage.

 

[AntiFreze]

I've had geico for 2 years now and havent claimed anything. Any idea on how much my rates are going to go up?

 

[dawp]

I have geico and my daughter made a claim, it went up about 20%, tho she is 20 and that may be the reason it went up so much.

edit:
And you shouldn't be 4 wheeling with a 350z.

 

[StageLeft]

Maybe it's easier with black, but our car was older than that when we had the hood and bumper replaced and honestly I cannot tell the difference in paint; they matched it superbly.

 

[bruceb]

Can't say about in your state, but here in NJ your insurance rates go up for almost any claim, wether it is your fault or not. My policy has a rate increase for having to use the Towing (once when it broke down), once for a replaced windshield (crack, failed inspection) & 4 accidents, of which 2 I was at fault, 1 where I was rear ended while stopped & 1 where I hit the curb after doing a 180 spin to avoid hitting a car that cut me off. Seems they go by either how much they pay out or if it goes on the police report & dmv license report. Any damages over $500 go on DMV records, so even the rear end accident shows on my abstract, even though I am a totally innocent party in that one. And there is no way to get it off the DMV record.

 

[LikeLinus]

Originally posted by: bruceb
Can't say about in your state, but here in NJ your insurance rates go up for almost any claim, wether it is your fault or not. My policy has a rate increase for having to use the Towing (once when it broke down), once for a replaced windshield (crack, failed inspection) & 4 accidents, of which 2 I was at fault, 1 where I was rear ended while stopped & 1 where I hit the curb after doing a 180 spin to avoid hitting a car that cut me off. Seems they go by either how much they pay out or if it goes on the police report & dmv license report. Any damages over $500 go on DMV records, so even the rear end accident shows on my abstract, even though I am a totally innocent party in that one. And there is no way to get it off the DMV record.

The state you live in has nothing to do with it, it's the insurance company you choose.

We use Erie Insurance and they have a 1st time accident forgiveness feature. My wife was in a small fender bender about 3 years ago and our insurance rates did not go up. AllState offers the same type of coverage.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

You got fucked by a curb? Damn.. Didn't know that kind of shit happened.. Sorry to hear that.. Makes me glad I drive an SUV. While driving through the claypits or working on different utilities i've driven over and off a curb a lot and never worried about it.

 

[KDKPSJ]

Originally posted by: bruceb
Can't say about in your state, but here in NJ your insurance rates go up for almost any claim, wether it is your fault or not. My policy has a rate increase for having to use the Towing (once when it broke down), once for a replaced windshield (crack, failed inspection) & 4 accidents, of which 2 I was at fault, 1 where I was rear ended while stopped & 1 where I hit the curb after doing a 180 spin to avoid hitting a car that cut me off. Seems they go by either how much they pay out or if it goes on the police report & dmv license report. Any damages over $500 go on DMV records, so even the rear end accident shows on my abstract, even though I am a totally innocent party in that one. And there is no way to get it off the DMV record.

Not neccessarily true. I have GEICO and living in NJ. Last March I had two incidents not-at-fault:

1) Damage due to the theft (Broken window, damage to door trim and leather seat) - $ 1800 claim covered by comprehensive coverage
2) Damage in front of the hood possibly due to the giant SUV/truck on street parking (Hit-and-Run claim because when I came back to the car, I couldn't find any note or car did it) - $ 1200 claim covered by collision coverage.

Both were obviously not-at-fault, and they did not increase premium at all at that time, and did not increase preium when I renewed last October, so I doubt they will increase the premium at my next renewal on April (1 year after claim).

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus

Originally posted by: bruceb
Can't say about in your state, but here in NJ your insurance rates go up for almost any claim, wether it is your fault or not. My policy has a rate increase for having to use the Towing (once when it broke down), once for a replaced windshield (crack, failed inspection) & 4 accidents, of which 2 I was at fault, 1 where I was rear ended while stopped & 1 where I hit the curb after doing a 180 spin to avoid hitting a car that cut me off. Seems they go by either how much they pay out or if it goes on the police report & dmv license report. Any damages over $500 go on DMV records, so even the rear end accident shows on my abstract, even though I am a totally innocent party in that one. And there is no way to get it off the DMV record.

The state you live in has nothing to do with it, it's the insurance company you choose.

We use Erie Insurance and they have a 1st time accident forgiveness feature. My wife was in a small fender bender about 3 years ago and our insurance rates did not go up. AllState offers the same type of coverage.

You do realize that with accident forgiveness coverage, you're just paying the present discounted rate on the accident in advance, right?

It wasn't free. Your rates didn't go up, you just essentially prepaid in the prior years.

I wouldn't recommend anyone buy that coverage. At best, you've just paid the discounted value on whatever insurance placement or tier you're in for that incident. At worst, you never get into the accident and have overpaid your insurance. I guess it spreads out the cost of an accident so that there's no spike in premium, but you'd be better off sticking the difference in premium in the bank and using it for the increase if you ever get into a wreck.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: everydae
Not neccessarily true. I have GEICO and living in NJ. Last March I had two incidents not-at-fault:

1) Damage due to the theft (Broken window, damage to door trim and leather seat) - $ 1800 claim covered by comprehensive coverage
2) Damage in front of the hood possibly due to the giant SUV/truck on street parking (Hit-and-Run claim because when I came back to the car, I couldn't find any note or car did it) - $ 1200 claim covered by collision coverage.

Both were obviously not-at-fault, and they did not increase premium at all at that time, and did not increase preium when I renewed last October, so I doubt they will increase the premium at my next renewal on April (1 year after claim).

This is the correct outcome. It matters that it was comp coverage -- check your contract language for the specifics.

Also, NJ is a modified comparative negligence state with a 51% threshold. Don't hold me to that, it's been a while. That means a party w/ a share of fault under 51% can still recover. So if you were comparatively negligent but got a payout, it's likely that your premium goes up, even though you think you were "not at fault" because you recovered. "Not at fault" isn't really a term of art, but if you want to use it, it should mean 0% fault. You may be comparatively at fault in a state like NJ and still get some sort of payout; that payout doesn't mean you're not at fault.

In the above, I'm talking about third party coverages, meaning the other insured's property damage coverage pays you. Collision, such as the OP's situation, will be a different beast. Because he drove off the curb, his rate may go up. If someone hit him while he was parked and not in the car, it'd be a comprehensive claim, and usually doesn't raise premium unless the contract states otherwise.

The best thing anyone can do is not listen to other folks' insurance stories. I've found that rarely does an irate non- or underpaid insured ever reveal all of the facts, especially those unfavorable to their situation.

 

[bruceb]

The problem in NJ is they go by wether or not the accident shows up on the DMV records. It will, if it was required to be a reportable accident, which is any accident with more than $500 in damages to any of the vehicles involved. You can explain the incidents to the insurance and they should reduce those that are not the fault of the party seeking coverage. But then, they (at least State Farm) also counts Comprehensive (glass) and Towing payouts when computing the premiums. Either way, we get it in the end.

 

[LikeLinus]

Originally posted by: sjwaste

Originally posted by: LikeLinus

Originally posted by: bruceb
Can't say about in your state, but here in NJ your insurance rates go up for almost any claim, wether it is your fault or not. My policy has a rate increase for having to use the Towing (once when it broke down), once for a replaced windshield (crack, failed inspection) & 4 accidents, of which 2 I was at fault, 1 where I was rear ended while stopped & 1 where I hit the curb after doing a 180 spin to avoid hitting a car that cut me off. Seems they go by either how much they pay out or if it goes on the police report & dmv license report. Any damages over $500 go on DMV records, so even the rear end accident shows on my abstract, even though I am a totally innocent party in that one. And there is no way to get it off the DMV record.

The state you live in has nothing to do with it, it's the insurance company you choose.

We use Erie Insurance and they have a 1st time accident forgiveness feature. My wife was in a small fender bender about 3 years ago and our insurance rates did not go up. AllState offers the same type of coverage.

You do realize that with accident forgiveness coverage, you're just paying the present discounted rate on the accident in advance, right?

It wasn't free. Your rates didn't go up, you just essentially prepaid in the prior years.

I wouldn't recommend anyone buy that coverage. At best, you've just paid the discounted value on whatever insurance placement or tier you're in for that incident. At worst, you never get into the accident and have overpaid your insurance. I guess it spreads out the cost of an accident so that there's no spike in premium, but you'd be better off sticking the difference in premium in the bank and using it for the increase if you ever get into a wreck.

100% wrong. I've had Erie Insurance for around 8 years. Our rates have gone down over the years due to our age and safer cars, but the accident forgiveness was started only around 3-4 years ago and our rates have never changed. It's free with our policy and doesn't cost anything additional. I also know we have some of the best rates around because I got my wife a new CX-9 for christmas and I shopped rates. Erie had the best because we've been with them so long and have such a great discount.

You may want to know what you are talking about before you open your mouth.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus

100% wrong. I've had Erie Insurance for around 8 years. Our rates have gone down over the years due to our age and safer cars, but the accident forgiveness was started only around 3-4 years ago and our rates have never changed. It's free with our policy and doesn't cost anything additional. I also know we have some of the best rates around because I got my wife a new CX-9 for christmas and I shopped rates. Erie had the best because we've been with them so long and have such a great discount.

You may want to know what you are talking about before you open your mouth.

I have just a touch of experience in the industry.

It's your money, do what you'd like with it, including prepaying the possible next incident. There's no need to get bent out of shape over insurance rates.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: bruceb
The problem in NJ is they go by wether or not the accident shows up on the DMV records. It will, if it was required to be a reportable accident, which is any accident with more than $500 in damages to any of the vehicles involved. You can explain the incidents to the insurance and they should reduce those that are not the fault of the party seeking coverage. But then, they (at least State Farm) also counts Comprehensive (glass) and Towing payouts when computing the premiums. Either way, we get it in the end.

The last part, glass and towing, are policy-specific. There are definitely insurers that do not raise your rate for glass or towing.

From an underwriting standpoint, encouraging you to replace glass by reducing/waiving the deductible results in a very tangible increase in safety and reduction in subsequent losses. Specifically with a windshield, paying to fix it is a lot cheaper than what might happen if you get into a wreck with that. You'd be surprised what that one piece of glass does to protect you. Take advantage of that if your insurance company offers it.

Towing as a loss is something that one or two carriers do, and makes it harder for other companies to sell that as a service. Historically, though, that hasn't been the case. If you're concerned, AAA's emergency road service isn't much more than the service with most insurance companies, and is much broader. Many insurers limit your towing to a repair shop, rather than home, and the mileage is a lot lower. For peace of mind, you might be best off just getting an AAA membership.

Bottom line, though, if you're paying a large glass deductible and/or getting your premium raised for a glass claim, you should switch carriers to one of the (majority) that doesn't do that.

 

[zerocool84]

You can never ask people on the internet how much your rates will go up. Too many variables. Sucks you weren't paying attention enough and messed up your car.