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Auto Insurance Claims/should i file a claim or not?

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Expert: - 1/7/2011


Question
while turning corner on an icy road in a snow storm, vehicle slid hitting rocks on side of road causing damage to front of vehicle.  I have full coverage with deductible of $500.  Estimated damage ranges from $1200-1500.  Been with ins company for at least 15 yrs, if not more.  Is it wise to file a claim or will I be penalized for filing a claim?

Answer
Hello,

Insurance is meant for catastrophic damage and I would put that in the category of catastrophic.

As for being penalized, yes they will possibly charge you a little more, but maybe not. What is the point in having insurance if you don't use it for these situations? Now, possibly if you have some minor scratches that you can live with on the body, the lack of performing cosmetics can be applied towards your deductible saving you some money as well.

If you are speaking an undercarriage damage you are given an estimate and does not include any underlying or hidden damage.

What you encountered is a true accident and that is the reason you have insurance. I would highly recommend turning in a claim.
I wish I could tell you I miss the snow/ice covered roads I dealt with in northern Wisconsin, sliding in ditches, sticking my 4 wheel drive truck and flipping it on it's side. Windows freezing in their channels, -60 wind chill. Nope--don't miss it!
In East Texas we have a cold front coming through next week and yes, it will be in the teens at night,and the coldest day of 34 and warming from there.

Don't miss what you are going through but the more important issue is that you did not say anything about being hurt and that's a good thing!

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Rob Painter, Ase, CFEI, CAFATE

Expertise

Please remember. I am not an attorney and cannot legal advice. My answers are based on my experience due to litigation I have been involved in as an expert, for both insurance companies and while oposing them opposing them. I deal with only comprehensive claims on autos related to fire and theft. I have even had the opportunity to rewrite policy coverage language as it relates to vehicle theft and forced entry for insurance defense attorneys.

Experience

Experience in the area: Working with insurance companies and attorneys on these issues for over 20 years. It is very common to have a reported stolen car with a so-called factory anti-theft system to have the theft claim denied. I have served successfully as an expert witness in the courts across the US representing the insured and their attorney revealing that the insurance expert did not take all known theories into consideration before rendering their "Forensic" conclusion. Many insurance carriers us independent "Forensic" experts to examine reported stolen vehicles commonly using flawed methodology implicating the innocent insured with the theft. My job is to determine if the insurance expert reached his conclusions based on accepted scientific principals or just net opinion with no basis other than opinion. My case record against such experts is very compelling.My resume can be seen at the catagory "Auto Theft and Prevention." In "Forensics" the scientific method must be employed. In the forensic locksmith field determining how a reported stolen vehicle was last operated, many processes cannot be duplicated and are conveniently not addressed. If they were, juries would have the opportunity to make a fair and impartial opinion at least about what the expert could or could not prove. There is a purported process determining the last key used. The chances of determining such is very rare uless the key is found in the ignition lock. Experts commonly destroy evidence as well and are rarely questioned on this event. I reveal the weakness in their testimony on such instances.

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