Auto insurance question for AKHOTD

[Milldawg]

My daughter rearended someone last week. Not much damage to the other car, but her front end took a decent amount of damage. Question.....given that she was at fault (rear ended them in bumper to bumper traffic) what are the consequences of filing a claim with our insurance to fix her car. I suspect it won't be good....she is 24, not other traffic violations on her record.

I am hearing horror stories of insurance these days so curious how bad is it out there?

I am planning on getting an estimate and suspect it will be several thousand. Strongly leaning on not filing but was curious what people think or know about the current insurance climate. \


TIA!

[Shootist Comitatus]

My daughter rearended someone last week. Not much damage to the other car, but her front end took a decent amount of damage. Question.....given that she was at fault (rear ended them in bumper to bumper traffic) what are the consequences of filing a claim with our insurance to fix her car. I suspect it won't be good....she is 24, not other traffic violations on her record.

I am hearing horror stories of insurance these days so curious how bad is it out there?

I am planning on getting an estimate and suspect it will be several thousand. Strongly leaning on not filing but was curious what people think or know about the current insurance climate. \


TIA!

2 Grand or less = don't file

likely will result in cancellation and a new rate from another company will increase 30% and last for three years or worse

[Top Row Dawg]

Didn't you have to turn in claim for other car? If so, might as well make collision claim too.

[Milldawg]

Didn't you have to turn in claim for other car? If so, might as well make collision claim too.

I don't know if the other driver is going to file a claim, I wasn't there but supposedly wasn't bad to his car, but who knows. She didn't take pictures either.

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My daughter rearended someone last week. Not much damage to the other car, but her front end took a decent amount of damage. Question.....given that she was at fault (rear ended them in bumper to bumper traffic) what are the consequences of filing a claim with our insurance to fix her car. I suspect it won't be good....she is 24, not other traffic violations on her record.

I am hearing horror stories of insurance these days so curious how bad is it out there?

I am planning on getting an estimate and suspect it will be several thousand. Strongly leaning on not filing but was curious what people think or know about the current insurance climate. \


TIA!

2 Grand or less = don't file

likely will result in cancellation and a new rate from another company will increase 30% and last for three years or worse

That's what I am thinking, there is some amount that is a hurdle rate for filing or not. I suspect this will be more than 2 grand though. I am also concerned about her getting dropped too.

[JC-DAWG83]

First, if the other party files a claim, which I would expect them to do if there is any damage at all to their car and don't be surprised if they get an attorney and sue for "injuries", she is going to have to file a claim. If that happens, she should go ahead and file for the damage to her car. The legal climate in Georgia is the worst in the entire country. She should be prepared for a letter from an attorney.

If the other people don't file a claim (I would be shocked if they didn't), get an estimate to repair her car. I think you are going to be amazed at how much it costs to repair a car now. My rule of thumb is; the damage needs to be three times the deductible before I consider filing a claim. Sometimes, if you know a body shop owner and tell them you are paying out of pocket they can help you out. Unfortunately, parts on newer cars are so expensive now there is not much a shop can do to help if they have to order many parts.

If this is the first claim in three years she probably doesn't have to worry about the policy being non renewed. Expect a pretty hefty premium increase, I'd say at least 25%.

[Milldawg]

First, if the other party files a claim, which I would expect them to do if there is any damage at all to their car and don't be surprised if they get an attorney and sue for "injuries", she is going to have to file a claim.  If that happens, she should go ahead and file for the damage to her car.  The legal climate in Georgia is the worst in the entire country.  She should be prepared for a letter from an attorney.

If the other people don't file a claim (I would be shocked if they didn't), get an estimate to repair her car.  I think you are going to be amazed at how much it costs to repair a car now.  My rule of thumb is; the damage needs to be three times the deductible before I consider filing a claim.  Sometimes, if you know a body shop owner and tell them you are paying out of pocket they can help you out.  Unfortunately, parts on newer cars are so expensive now there is not much a shop can do to help if they have to order many parts.

If this is the first claim in three years she probably doesn't have to worry about the policy being non renewed.  Expect a pretty hefty premium increase, I'd say at least 25%.

thanks for the insight, hadn't thought about injuries etc. She said the other person was understanding, but you never know what someone might pull. Definitely not great. I have heard about the climate here in Georgia being bad, any insight into why that is? I expect this is going to be a pretty good expense to fix.

How will I know if they other party files a claim, will our insurance let us know?

[JC-DAWG83]

First, if the other party files a claim, which I would expect them to do if there is any damage at all to their car and don't be surprised if they get an attorney and sue for "injuries", she is going to have to file a claim.  If that happens, she should go ahead and file for the damage to her car.  The legal climate in Georgia is the worst in the entire country.  She should be prepared for a letter from an attorney.

If the other people don't file a claim (I would be shocked if they didn't), get an estimate to repair her car.  I think you are going to be amazed at how much it costs to repair a car now.  My rule of thumb is; the damage needs to be three times the deductible before I consider filing a claim.  Sometimes, if you know a body shop owner and tell them you are paying out of pocket they can help you out.  Unfortunately, parts on newer cars are so expensive now there is not much a shop can do to help if they have to order many parts.

If this is the first claim in three years she probably doesn't have to worry about the policy being non renewed.  Expect a pretty hefty premium increase, I'd say at least 25%.

thanks for the insight, hadn't thought about injuries etc. She said the other person was understanding, but you never know what someone might pull. Definitely not great. I have heard about the climate here in Georgia being bad, any insight into why that is? I expect this is going to be a pretty good expense to fix.

How will I know if they other party files a claim, will our insurance let us know?

Your company should let you know if they file a claim.  They should contact you to get a statement and to make sure your daughter actually did hit the other car.

Georgia is a nightmare for litigation because the state legislature is controlled by trial lawyers who have passed laws that make it easy for lawyers to sue.  The people of Georgia are getting what they have voted for when it comes to insurance premiums.

[Milldawg]

First, if the other party files a claim, which I would expect them to do if there is any damage at all to their car and don't be surprised if they get an attorney and sue for "injuries", she is going to have to file a claim.  If that happens, she should go ahead and file for the damage to her car.  The legal climate in Georgia is the worst in the entire country.  She should be prepared for a letter from an attorney.

If the other people don't file a claim (I would be shocked if they didn't), get an estimate to repair her car.  I think you are going to be amazed at how much it costs to repair a car now.  My rule of thumb is; the damage needs to be three times the deductible before I consider filing a claim.  Sometimes, if you know a body shop owner and tell them you are paying out of pocket they can help you out.  Unfortunately, parts on newer cars are so expensive now there is not much a shop can do to help if they have to order many parts.

If this is the first claim in three years she probably doesn't have to worry about the policy being non renewed.  Expect a pretty hefty premium increase, I'd say at least 25%.

thanks for the insight, hadn't thought about injuries etc. She said the other person was understanding, but you never know what someone might pull. Definitely not great. I have heard about the climate here in Georgia being bad, any insight into why that is? I expect this is going to be a pretty good expense to fix.

How will I know if they other party files a claim, will our insurance let us know?

Your company should let you know if they file a claim.  They should contact you to get a statement and to make sure your daughter actually did hit the other car.

Georgia is a nightmare for litigation because the state legislature is controlled by trial lawyers who have passed laws that make it easy for lawyers to sue.  The people of Georgia are getting what they have voted for when it comes to insurance premiums.

that's definitely disappointing. I really appreciate the input.

[deathdawg]

First, if the other party files a claim, which I would expect them to do if there is any damage at all to their car and don't be surprised if they get an attorney and sue for "injuries", she is going to have to file a claim.  If that happens, she should go ahead and file for the damage to her car.  The legal climate in Georgia is the worst in the entire country.  She should be prepared for a letter from an attorney.

If the other people don't file a claim (I would be shocked if they didn't), get an estimate to repair her car.  I think you are going to be amazed at how much it costs to repair a car now.  My rule of thumb is; the damage needs to be three times the deductible before I consider filing a claim.  Sometimes, if you know a body shop owner and tell them you are paying out of pocket they can help you out.  Unfortunately, parts on newer cars are so expensive now there is not much a shop can do to help if they have to order many parts.

If this is the first claim in three years she probably doesn't have to worry about the policy being non renewed.  Expect a pretty hefty premium increase, I'd say at least 25%.

Side note: these newer cars are insane with the front clip.  Used to have actual bumpers now it's a full plastic shell.  Another reason Baby Death drives a 2000 4Runner in Charleston SC.

[Milldawg]

First, if the other party files a claim, which I would expect them to do if there is any damage at all to their car and don't be surprised if they get an attorney and sue for "injuries", she is going to have to file a claim.  If that happens, she should go ahead and file for the damage to her car.  The legal climate in Georgia is the worst in the entire country.  She should be prepared for a letter from an attorney.

If the other people don't file a claim (I would be shocked if they didn't), get an estimate to repair her car.  I think you are going to be amazed at how much it costs to repair a car now.  My rule of thumb is; the damage needs to be three times the deductible before I consider filing a claim.  Sometimes, if you know a body shop owner and tell them you are paying out of pocket they can help you out.  Unfortunately, parts on newer cars are so expensive now there is not much a shop can do to help if they have to order many parts.

If this is the first claim in three years she probably doesn't have to worry about the policy being non renewed.  Expect a pretty hefty premium increase, I'd say at least 25%.

Side note: these newer cars are insane with the front clip.  Used to have actual bumpers now it's a full plastic shell.  Another reason Baby Death drives a 2000 4Runner in Charleston SC.

Agreed, nothing to these front ends

[McDonoughDawg]

Crumple zones..go watch videos of old cars compared to newer cars…the difference is staggering..new cars are much safer..

[JC-DAWG83]

Crumple zones..go watch videos of old cars compared to newer cars…the difference is staggering..new cars are much safer..

All of that designed in controlled destruction is much safer for people but leads to much more expensive damage to the cars and more totaled cars which is another reason auto insurance has gone up so much recently.  20 years ago, hitting a deer was a $2000 claim, today, it is generally $10,000 or more.  

We had a customer back into a tree with the tailgate down on his new pickup last year.  The only thing damaged was the tailgate.  By the time everything was repaired and a new tailgate was installed, the claim was $8000.