Question about an accident involving an open door:
I was parked in front of a school when my son opened the driver’s side passenger door. Just as the door was about six inches open, it was struck by another vehicle. I’m not looking to assign blame, as I assume the fault lies with me. However, since I wasn’t driving and it was a passenger who opened the door, how might this impact my insurance in the future?
It’s understandable to be concerned about how the incident might impact your insurance. Generally speaking, if you’re found at fault for the damage caused by your passenger opening the door, here are a few things that could happen:
Claim on Your Policy: If you file a claim to cover the damage, this could lead to an increase in your insurance premiums when it’s time for renewal. Insurance companies typically look at your history of claims when determining rates.
Accident Forgiveness: Depending on your insurance provider and your policy, you might have accident forgiveness, which means your first at-fault accident won’t affect your rates. Be sure to check if your policy offers this.
No Claim Filed: If no claim is filed, it’s possible your insurance rates won’t be affected. Sometimes, insurers rate based on claim history rather than the incident itself.
Passenger Liability: In some cases, liability might fall partly on the passenger who opened the door, but since you were the one driving the vehicle, your policy is likely the one that gets impacted.
Insurance Provider Communication: It’s important to inform your insurance provider about the incident, as they can give specific guidance on how it might affect your policy.
Ultimately, your insurer will have the best information tailored to your situation. It wouldn’t hurt to reach out to them directly for personalized advice.