Will insurance pay if a lawnmower threw a rock and dented my car?

I was at a gas station when a lawnmower threw up a rock that dented my car; it wasn't my lawnmower or action that caused this. However, the lawnmower driver is not assuming responsibility, so I'm wondering if I should file a claim with my own insurance company. The damage is over $500. Will I be penalized if I file a claim?

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Before you file a claim, you should get an estimate for the damages and determine if it is worth filing a claim after you consider your deductible.

For instance, if the damage is $700 and your deductible is $500, your policy would only pay $200. In this instance, it would not be worth filing a claim because the amount the insurance company would pay is likely less than what your rates would go up without the claim. If you do decide to file a claim, be aware that it will impact your rates as a comprehensive claim. Claims can affect your rate from three to five years after an incident.

There is also a time limit after an incident in which you can file a claim, and every state has different rules about this so it is important to check South Carolina laws to make sure you're still within the time frame.

You'll also want to double-check what type of policy you carry and if there is coverage in the first place. If you only carry minimum liability coverage, this wouldn't be covered by your policy anyway. This particular situation would qualify under comprehensive coverage, but take a look at your policy declarations page for more information. If you have an agent you work with, I'd recommend reaching out to them with specific questions about your policy coverages.

Don't hesitate to reach out if any other questions arise.