# Making a Claim **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 7, 2019, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942 "2019-05-07T20:54:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ng8111\_150582](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e19b73/32.png) [@ng8111\_150582](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ng8111_150582)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/1 "2019-05-07T20:54:34Z")
In my opinion, it’s foolish to make a claim if the damage to the car is under $3,000 especially if you have a $1,000 deductible. It would probably be even better to put it on a credit card and pay it off than it would to file an insurance claim. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 8:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/2 "2019-05-07T20:56:08Z")
Then what’s the purpose of having insurance and paying the premiums? Tester ---
**Author:** ![ng8111\_150582](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e19b73/32.png) [@ng8111\_150582](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ng8111_150582)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 8:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/3 "2019-05-07T20:56:46Z")
If you total your car. Also for liability coverage. It’s meant for significant claims. The low deductible ($500, $1,000, $2,500) you choose would be to decrease the amount you pay in the event of a big wreck; it shouldn’t be used as an excuse to file a small claim. This way, you also have more money to have higher liability limits, like $500,000 or $1 million bodily injury coverage instead of having lower liability limits. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 8:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/4 "2019-05-07T20:59:53Z")
If I’m going to decline to file a claim for anything under $3,000, then I expect that to be reflected in my premiums. They’re setting those premiums assuming that if I get into a wreck costing a nominal amount over my deductible, I’m going to be coming to them expecting money. I should be paying less if that won’t be the case. Why are you advocating that I pay for something I do not intend to receive? ---
**Author:** ![ng8111\_150582](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e19b73/32.png) [@ng8111\_150582](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ng8111_150582)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 9:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/5 "2019-05-07T21:00:43Z")
You could choose a larger deductible (aka $1,000 or $2,500) so that it is reflected in your premiums. Because if you file 1 claim, you’re likely to have a 40% increase and if you have a really bad year and have 2 claims, you’ll have a 90% increase. This keeps your premiums lower and/or even better keeps your insurance from getting cancelled or not renewed. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/6 "2019-05-07T21:01:38Z")
You’re discussing a $3,000 claim with a $1,000 deductible. That’s what I’m addressing. If you want to leave $2,000 on the table, that’s fine. But I’m not going to do that. I expect to get what I pay for. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/7 "2019-05-07T21:01:48Z")
> [@ng8111\_150582](#): > > It would probably be even better to put it on a credit card and pay it off You are really off base here . How many people could put 3000.00 on a credit card and pay it off the next billing period . And at the card interest rates it makes no sense to pay it off by monthly payments. ---
**Author:** ![ng8111\_150582](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e19b73/32.png) [@ng8111\_150582](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ng8111_150582)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 9:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/8 "2019-05-07T21:02:28Z")
> [@VOLVO\_V70](#): > > You are really off base here . How many people could put 3000.00 on a credit card and pay it off the next billing period . And at the card interest rates it makes no sense to pay it off by monthly payments. You would have to pay it off pretty quickly like 6 months or so. I think the interest rate of your car insurance premium’s increase would be higher than the CC interest rate. ---
**Author:** ![ng8111\_150582](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e19b73/32.png) [@ng8111\_150582](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ng8111_150582)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 9:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/9 "2019-05-07T21:03:03Z")
> [@shadowfax](#): > > You’re discussing a $3,000 claim with a $1,000 deductible. That’s what I’m addressing. If you want to leave $2,000 on the table, that’s fine. But I’m not going to do that. I expect to get what I pay for. Okay and that’s your choice. But your premium increase might be higher than what you receive. I’d personally rather have the cheaper insurance rates than to receive $2,000 from the insurance company. I could be wrong, but I perceive that (for myself) to be foolish. $2,000 is a tough area because it’s a price point where you may be better (or worse) off making a claim. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/10 "2019-05-07T21:11:43Z")
Using this 3000.00 number if I file a claim and my insurance goes up 20 percent that is only 140.00 a year and it will drop back after a no claim period. ---
**Author:** ![ng8111\_150582](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e19b73/32.png) [@ng8111\_150582](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ng8111_150582)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/11 "2019-05-07T21:12:38Z")
> [@VOLVO\_V70](#): > > Using this 3000.00 number if I file a claim and my insurance goes up 20 percent that is only 140.00 a year and it will drop back after a no claim period. Good point. If it goes up 40% a year, though, it will be $280 higher or $840 for 3 years in total, still lower than paying the additional $2K out of pocket. Thanks for clarifying. I was thinking 41% of $1,400 or $574 and thus it would come to $1,722 after 3 years. I was also thinking if someone got not-renewed after one claim and thus only could get really expensive insurance for the 3 year period. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 9:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/12 "2019-05-07T21:20:56Z")
[https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/do-minor-vehicle-accidents-need-be-reported.html](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/do-minor-vehicle-accidents-need-be-reported.html) Tester ---
**Author:** ![ng8111\_150582](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e19b73/32.png) [@ng8111\_150582](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ng8111_150582)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/13 "2019-05-07T21:35:57Z")
Great article and I agree. If you’re involved with someone else, you’re also likely well above $3,000 even for a fender bender. Only if it’s your car is it reasonably possible to be below $3,000. ---
**Author:** ![Waterbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f07891/32.png) [@Waterbuff](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Waterbuff)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 9:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/14 "2019-05-07T21:53:59Z")
> [@ng8111\_150582](#): > > your premium increase might be higher than what you receive “ **might be higher** ” are the critical words – and that “might” depends on each person’s insurance company AND history with that company IOW, your _ **opinion** _ (third word in your original comment) is only that – no one can stop you from having it, AND no one has to follow it ---
**Author:** ![Waterbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f07891/32.png) [@Waterbuff](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Waterbuff)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 10:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/15 "2019-05-07T22:02:09Z")
> [@ng8111\_150582](#): > > I was thinking 41% of $1,400 or $574 and thus it would come to $1,722 after 3 years if that is an annual premium of $1400 with a $1000 deductible for one vehicle, it strongly suggests that you pose an unusual risk, like you are a young male driver (or have very expensive insurance for some reason) and if it is for more than one vehicle, then your application of a theoretical 41% increase to the entire premium for a claim on one vehicle/driver seems imprecise ---
**Author:** ![ng8111\_150582](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e19b73/32.png) [@ng8111\_150582](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ng8111_150582)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/16 "2019-05-07T22:50:08Z")
> [@Waterbuff](#): > > if that is an annual premium of $1400 with a $1000 deductible for one vehicle, it strongly suggests that you pose an unusual risk, like you are a young male driver (or have very expensive insurance for some reason) > and if it is for more than one vehicle, then your application of a theoretical 41% increase to the entire premium for a claim on one vehicle/driver seems imprecise 2 drivers, 2 vehicles. > [@Waterbuff](#): > > **might be higher** ” are the critical words – and that “might” depends on each person’s insurance company AND history with that company > > IOW, your _ **opinion** _ (third word in your original comment) is only that – no one can stop you from having it, AND no one has to follow it Agreed on both the “MIGHT” and the your opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Waterbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f07891/32.png) [@Waterbuff](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Waterbuff)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 11:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/17 "2019-05-07T23:22:54Z")
> [@ng8111\_150582](#): > > 2 drivers, 2 vehicles. then what is your basis for a 41% increase to the entire premium due to a claim on one vehicle/driver? ---
**Author:** ![ng8111\_150582](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e19b73/32.png) [@ng8111\_150582](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ng8111_150582)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/18 "2019-05-07T23:23:58Z")
> [@Waterbuff](#): > > then what is your basis for a 41% increase to the entire premium due to a claim on one vehicle/driver? Fear, concern, speculation, conjecture. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 11:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/19 "2019-05-07T23:25:27Z")
I don’t know where this came from but good luck with getting body damage under $3000. Like I said before a lady backed into me in the drive-up. Bumper cover, headlight, a little fender and hood ding and the bill was $3000. Her insurance paid for it and they did a nice job. The one about ten years ago was deer damage. Hood, fender, headlight and $2000. Considered an act of God-no deductible and insurance paid. Also $1000 in hail damage. Act of God again-no deductible and insurance paid it all. I don’t remember ever having damage where I was at fault so not really sure what I would do. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2019, 2:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942/20 "2019-05-08T02:11:32Z")
My wife was driving in sandals, got her right foot tangled in the pedals and could not get her foot off the gas and hit two parked cars in a supermarket parking lot and our car kept chewing at the other two cars for quite a while before it occurred to her to turn off the key. Clearly 100% her fault. $5700 damage to our car, we were never told the damage to other cars and we had not been with company long enough to earn accident forgiveness. We got a $49 surcharge on our $400, six month bill for 3 years. So, about 12% If you are facing a 41% increase for a $3000 claim, there is something drastically wrong. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/making-a-claim/139942.md?page=2)