Will this affect my auto insurance rate?

yes it will go up and will stay in your record for 3 years. this insurance companies are just ridiculous.

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RE :Will this affect my auto insurance rate?

I accidentally hit a poll, no one was injured.

Only damage to my front bumper.

I went to a body shop and the estimate is ~$2000.

My deductible is $500.

Should I go through my insurance or just pay it out of pocket?

Will a claim automatically make my insurance go up?

I am a 29 y/o married male with a clean driving record.

Follow 15 answers

If you have one forgiveable accident on your policy, then you're likely ok, unless you have another at-fault accident within the next several years. It really depends on your insurer, and where you are. Some insurers offer 9 years claims free, so theoretically, your rates could go up the first year, and then STAY UP until you reach a certain number of years claims free. So, that $2000 repair charge could end up being a real bargain in the long run.

Since the charge isn't thousands and thousands now, I would not recommend putting it through your policy.

Use the insurance. That's what it's for. Do you think your premium will go up by $1500 dollars during the next year? I doubt it. My wife trashed her Jeep and did 9K in damage and my insurance went up $0. 5 months later some old coot slammed into my parked pickup. My rates went up $0.Turn it in and call it a day. Even more so if you have a good record. Don't wait forever. They are going to ask you a few questions when you try to claim it.

Hitting a pot hole is considered an at fault collision loss.

Since pot holes don't move - it is considered a fixed object. You are negligent for hitting it. You should have been keeping a proper look out and seen the hazard in the road - and taken appropriate action to avoid causing damage to your vehicle (safely slowing so that you can drive through the pot hole w/o causing damage or safely changing lanes to avoid it.).

Any time you have a claim for an at fault collision loss there is a chance your insurance premiums will go up.

Talk to your agent - he/she may be able to give you an idea how this would affect your rates and if you should file the claim or pay out of pocket.

In all honesty, your insurance will most likely go up. Unless you have the new feature - where ONE accident can slide off with no consequences. HOWEVER, even a CLAIM will still show up on your record. It will NEVER be taken off, but should only affect your rates for 1-4 years, that much I can guarantee you.

THAT said....$2k is a high amount - it seems in this case it would be worth your while to go through your policy.

Depends on your insurance company. Some companies let one accident "slide," but in any case, your rate will not go up $1,500.

Also, if it's JUST the bumper, get several more estimates. You might do it much cheaper at another shop.

if there was a accident report made.....your insurance co. will find out about it from the state......even if there were no ticket,s issued........if there wasn't a report .....you must decide whether you want to pay the extra 1,500.00 ....or risk raised insurance premium,s........if I were you I,d let the insurance pay.....that,s what their for....beside,s..were all just a number to them anyway.....they believe we all have a certain risk factor....if you've had a claim they may think you re not due for another one for a while.....I once had a insurance co. actually drop me because the statistic,s said I was just about due....so they drop ed me before hand.

if you go through the insurance company it could raise it for a while,but paying out of pocket is expensive also,this would totally be up to you on what to do in this situation,if you can pay it out of pocket it will keep your rates down,but they wont raise them a lot if any at all,if this is the only accident you have had,so it might save you some money by running it through them,good luck with it.

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