Will My Auto Insurance Rates Increase Even If I Don’t File a Claim?
I had a little mishap while pulling out of a parking lot—I accidentally ran over some bricks that damaged my bumper and broke the hinges connecting it to the frame. It also wrecked my undercarriage splash guard and wheel arch liner. Initially, I planned to pick up replacement parts from a junkyard and handle the repairs myself, but my family convinced me to check with my insurance to see if they could assist.
When I contacted GEICO, the representative informed me that simply inquiring about the potential for a claim could be seen as admitting fault for an accident. After gathering some details, they explained that I don’t have to use my insurance and that the claim would only serve for record-keeping purposes. I then asked if having this on record, even if I didn’t pursue a claim, would impact my rates at renewal. Unfortunately, multiple agents couldn’t provide a definitive answer. One Spanish-speaking representative mentioned, however, that my rates should not increase if I decided to cover the damages myself.
Has anyone else gone through this? If I choose to repair the damages on my own, will my insurance premiums still rise just because there’s a record of the incident?
It’s understandable to be concerned about how an incident like this might affect your insurance rates. Generally, insurance companies consider various factors when determining premium rates, including any claims you’ve filed or incidents reported, regardless of whether you used your insurance to cover the damages.
Since you’re choosing not to file a claim and are handling the repairs independently, it may not directly impact your rates. However, insurance companies have their own policies and algorithms for calculating premium increases, which can differ from one company to another.
If the incident is recorded in your insurance history but is classified as a non-claim (because you didn’t use your insurance), it might not raise your rates. However, there is no guarantee, as auto insurers can factor in your overall driving record, frequency of incidents, and claims history over time.
To get a clearer picture, it might be worthwhile to contact your insurance company again, specifically asking for information about how non-claim incidents impact rates during renewals. Make sure to document everything for your records, including the information you received from the representatives. Ultimately, being proactive and informed will help you make the best decision moving forward!