Question About Car Damage Claim
Hello everyone,
I hope you can help me with a situation I’m facing. I have Wawanesa insurance in California with comprehensive coverage on my 2011 Mercedes.
While visiting family recently, a dog—likely a German Shepherd—jumped the fence, probably searching for my family’s dogs that were inside the house. We were woken up in the middle of the night and saw this dog through the window. Unfortunately, it ended up jumping on my car several times, leaving scratches on the hood, fenders, roof, doors, deck lid, and one of the bumpers.
While I managed to buff out some of the lighter scratches, others are quite deep and visible down to the primer. I have some detailing experience and did what I could to fix the damage, but it still bothers me. The car was in great condition with all original paint—except for the rear bumper, which had a previous issue—something rare for a 14-year-old vehicle.
I’m contemplating whether I should file a claim with my insurance. However, I’m concerned about the costs involved, as a full repaint could exceed the car’s value and potentially be classified as a total loss. I’ve been driving for nearly 30 years without ever having to make a claim, so I’m unfamiliar with how this process works in situations like mine.
With rising insurance premiums, I’m also worried about the possibility of an increase or even being dropped altogether. What do you think would be the best course of action for me to take? Any insights would be appreciated!
It’s definitely a frustrating situation, especially when you’ve maintained your car so well! Here are a few things to consider:
Assessing Damage: First, gather estimates for the repair costs. Since you’ve done some buffing, you might want to get a couple of professional quotes for fixing the deeper scratches. This will give you a clearer idea of whether it’s worth filing a claim.
Insurance Coverage: Since you have comprehensive coverage, it should cover damages from incidents like this. However, you should review your policy or speak to your agent to confirm the specifics regarding animal-related damages.
Deductible Considerations: Remember that you’ll likely have a deductible that you will need to pay before insurance kicks in. If the repair costs are close to or less than your deductible, it might not make sense to file a claim.
Premium Impact: It’s valid to be concerned about a potential premium increase. Some insurers may raise your rates after a claim, while others might not. It’s worth inquiring about this with Wawanesa before making a decision.
Total Loss: If the damage exceeds a certain percentage of the car’s value (usually around 70-80%), your car might be considered a total loss. Again, getting those repair estimates will help you determine if you’re in this territory.
Documentation: If you decide to file a claim, take detailed photos of the damage and keep records of any correspondence with your insurance company. This will make the process smoother.
Ultimately, you may want to weigh the emotional aspect of wanting your car restored to its original condition against the financial implications of making a claim. If it’s really bothering you, and the repair estimates are reasonable, it could still be worth pursuing. Good luck!