Deer hit car, can insurance rate go up? (driving record, auto, truck)
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We have Geico insurance. My 17 year old (who's on our insurance and has had his license for over 6 months) was driving and a deer ran into the door of his car (actually, a pick-up truck) and dented the door.
We called Geico to see how it worked. The one thing they could not tell me is if filing this claim and/or using our insurance to pay for the damage could increase our insurance rate. However, I learned that by us calling and asking, the claim is filed.
My son was not hurt and nothing else happened as a result of the deer (my son didn't swerve and hit something else, etc.). Also, the only reason he knows it was a deer is because one deer ran in front of his truck seconds before he heard the thump of the assumed second deer hitting the door of his truck.
Does anyone know if filing this claim and using our insurance to pay for the damage could actually increase our rate? They said it would be under comprehensive coverage.
One comp claim for a reasonable amount usually won't. A lot of factors at play though. It's when you get into multiple comp claims that it becomes a problem.
One comp claim for a reasonable amount usually won't. A lot of factors at play though. It's when you get into multiple comp claims that it becomes a problem.
I haven't had a claim on my auto insurance in over 30 years, as well as no traffic violations. I hit a deer at walking speed (I saw it standing on the side of the road and slowed before I got to it), which resulted in minor damage (cracked bumper cover). My insurance company raised my rates enough to recover their loss within one year. I filed a complaint with my state's insurance commissioner and my insurance company rescinded the rate increase.
I haven't had a claim on my auto insurance in over 30 years, as well as no traffic violations. I hit a deer at walking speed (I saw it standing on the side of the road and slowed before I got to it), which resulted in minor damage (cracked bumper cover). My insurance company raised my rates enough to recover their loss within one year. I filed a complaint with my state's insurance commissioner and my insurance company rescinded the rate increase.
Wow! Did you have to prove they raised your rate because of the deer accident? Was it Geico Insurance?
Wow! Did you have to prove they raised your rate because of the deer accident? Was it Geico Insurance?
It was State Farm. I didn't have to prove anything - they sent me a letter flat out stating my rates were being raised due to hitting the deer. My agent told me that State Farm had quietly implemented a policy of raising rates for comprehensive claims about a year earlier and they had lost a lot of customers because of it. Prior to this, I have never heard of rate increase due to a single comprehensive claim.
We have Geico insurance. My 17 year old (who's on our insurance and has had his license for over 6 months) was driving and a deer ran into the door of his car (actually, a pick-up truck) and dented the door.
We called Geico to see how it worked. The one thing they could not tell me is if filing this claim and/or using our insurance to pay for the damage could increase our insurance rate. However, I learned that by us calling and asking, the claim is filed.
My son was not hurt and nothing else happened as a result of the deer (my son didn't swerve and hit something else, etc.). Also, the only reason he knows it was a deer is because one deer ran in front of his truck seconds before he heard the thump of the assumed second deer hitting the door of his truck.
Does anyone know if filing this claim and using our insurance to pay for the damage could actually increase our rate? They said it would be under comprehensive coverage.
GEICO raises rates for anyone putting in a claim, or getting a speeding ticket, etc. They only want non-claimers. This is why there are always advertising for new clients.
Many companies will not raise rates for a single claim, especially if you have been a customer for a long time.
GEICO raises rates for anyone putting in a claim, or getting a speeding ticket, etc. They only want non-claimers. This is why there are always advertising for new clients.
Many companies will not raise rates for a single claim, especially if you have been a customer for a long time.
This mighty be pushing my luck for answers but any idea if we're talking a slight increase or larger as in covering the amount? The damage might be $2000 or even less. Also, would it matter if we don't follow through since we've already filed the claim (I assume not). Last, we can switch before the first increased payment, yes?
As you can hopefully tell by my basic questions, we have great driving records and have not used our insurance before (though we switched to Geico last year so they may not know that).
This mighty be pushing my luck for answers but any idea if we're talking a slight increase or larger as in covering the amount? The damage might be $2000 or even less. Also, would it matter if we don't follow through since we've already filed the claim (I assume not). Last, we can switch before the first increased payment, yes?
As you can hopefully tell by my basic questions, we have great driving records and have not used our insurance before (though we switched to Geico last year so they may not know that).
Thanks!
Yes, you can switch anytime. Might be good to switch right away. Allstate, state Farm, Progressive, Erie, USAA all offer good rates depending on your category (need preferred)
Remember you don't HAVE to put in a claim you can pay out of pocket. They shouldn't raise your rates with no claims and you could still switch.
This mighty be pushing my luck for answers but any idea if we're talking a slight increase or larger as in covering the amount?
From my experience, auto insurance is not really "insurance" in the classic sense of insurance. It's more like an auto club, where your insurance premiums are like a membership fee. The benefits of the membership is that if you are ever in an accident that is not someone else's fault, they will loan you the money to repair the damage, and you can pay them back over three to five years, with an increased membership fee.
Expect that your premiums could increase by as much as 100%. If I was you I would get some estimates from some discount auto body shops. Paying for it yourself, might be the most cost effective way.
From my experience, auto insurance is not really "insurance" in the classic sense of insurance. It's more like an auto club, where your insurance premiums are like a membership fee. The benefits of the membership is that if you are ever in an accident that is not someone else's fault, they will loan you the money to repair the damage, and you can pay them back over three to five years, with an increased membership fee.
Expect that your premiums could increase by as much as 100%. If I was you I would get some estimates from some discount auto body shops. Paying for it yourself, might be the most cost effective way.
Wow. Has not been my experience with Farmers. Over the last 15 years I've hit four deer and it had no effect on my premium. Nor does your first at-fault accident with another vehicle. May not be the way the "discount" companies work. You often do get what you pay for. I don't work for Farmers FWI.
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