Seeking Advice on a Claim
Hi everyone! This morning while I was driving, a tree unexpectedly fell in front of my car, and I ended up hitting it.
Initially, my insurance company classified the incident as a collision claim with a $500 deductible. However, I was concerned that this could lead to an increase in my premiums. After discussing my situation with the appraiser, they revised it to a comprehensive claim, which comes with a $1000 deductible.
I realize that I’ve effectively added $500 to my out-of-pocket costs, but I’m wondering if this might be the smarter choice in the long run to potentially keep my premiums from rising.
I appreciate any advice you can offer. Thank you!
It sounds like you handled the situation thoughtfully! Switching the claim from collision to comprehensive makes sense in this case since it was an unforeseen event with the tree falling. Although you have a higher deductible now, you’re right to consider the long-term impact on your insurance premiums.
Typically, collision claims can lead to higher premium increases compared to comprehensive claims, especially if the accident wasn’t your fault. Insurance companies often view collisions as more risky, which can influence future rates. By going the comprehensive route, you’re likely minimizing the chances of a significant increase in your premiums.
Just keep in mind that every insurer has different policies and thresholds for rate increases, so it’s good you considered that possibility. In the future, if you have more incidents, it might help to keep a clean driving record regarding collisions. If you have any concerns, it might also be worthwhile to reach out to your insurance agent to see if they can provide more insight based on your specific policy.
Good luck with everything, and I hope your car gets fixed quickly!