Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 2/16/2009

Question
My car needs some body work from damages that occurred over a year ago.  The guy at the body shop says I should run them through my insurance.  I've recently changed insurance companies and would have to file a claim with the company I'm no longer with.  Would they even accept the claim?  There's no one at fault for the damages.  Estimate #1 is for front end work because someone backed into/ran into my car without my knowing it for a few months (winter snow covered the damage).  Estimate #2 is for a dent in my passenger door...someone in Walmart's parking lot did that.  Estimate #3 is for damage to the rear bumper...which I caused by backing up too far in the parking garage at work.  Would my new insurance company raise mine or my husband's rates if I filed with my old company?

Answer
Hi Jackie,

You would have to file 3 seperate claims. This means that you would be responsible for 3 seperate deductibles. Depending on the amount of each of the estimates, you would have to decide if it is worth while making the claims.

You would have to file with the old insurance company. They may give you a hard time because you will have to tell them when each of the incidences occured. They will also wonder why you did not report them at the time they occured. They may also try to deny the claim if it has been a while since the damages happened. They may claim that they happened after you cancelled their insurance.

If you move forward, you can make the claims. Just be prepared for the things I mentioned above.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh