Am I eligible to file a claim for this situation?
I previously had Geico insurance, believing I was covered for collision until I backed into a pole and found out otherwise when I tried to file a claim. After that, I switched to Progressive. It’s been about a year since then, and I haven’t repaired the damage to my truck because I assumed I couldn’t make a claim for damages that occurred before my current policy started.
However, two days ago, my sister accidentally backed into a pole, and while it seemed like there was no damage at first, I noticed today that the plastic cover on my bumper has completely fallen off. Can I file a claim to get my bumper fixed? I apologize if this question seems silly or if I’ve made significant mistakes.
It’s definitely not a stupid question! Insurance can be complicated, and it’s easy to get confused about what’s covered. Since your damage from backing into the pole occurred before you started your policy with Progressive, you wouldn’t be able to make a claim for that damage, as insurance typically only covers incidents that occur while you have an active policy.
Regarding your sister’s recent incident, the claim would likely depend on a few things:
Policy Coverage: If your Progressive policy includes collision coverage and the damage to the bumper results from her incident, you could potentially file a claim under her insurance if she is covered for that. However, if the damage was due to her accident and it’s minor, she might want to handle it without a claim to avoid any impact on her premiums.
Damage Assessment: Check the extent of the damage. If it’s minor and can be fixed at a low cost, it might not be worth filing a claim due to potential increases in your premiums.
Deductibles: If you decide to file a claim, consider your deductible amount. If the cost of repairs is lower than your deductible, it may not be beneficial to file a claim.
I recommend contacting your insurance agent to discuss the specifics of your policy and get guidance on how best to proceed. They can provide clarity on what’s covered and help you make an informed decision. Good luck!