My husband backed my vehicle into the back of his vehicle in our driveway. His vehicle was not damaged but the estimate to fix mine is $6,000. I have a $1,000 deductible and I hate for this to show on mine as a collision. Just what problems are caused by filing a claim and what different areas are affected by this information?
Question
Should I file a claim for damage to my car caused by my husband?
Agent Answer
There are a few things involved here. First, whether you file a claim or not, most insurance companies require you to report every accident. Check with your company for specific on reporting accidents. Second, if you do file a claim it will be paid under the collision coverage since both cars involved are on the same policy. Your deductible will apply. If you have a $1000 deductible then your insurance company will cover $5000 of the damages if the total is $6000 in damage. If you file a claim, the accident will be listed as at-fault and will impact your rates for up to five years. Whether you file a claim or not is really up to you. Here is more information on when to consider not filing a claim. Here is information on what to expect if you do file a claim. Good luck and if you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask.