Title: Totaled Car with an Existing Open Claim
This week, my child totaled my car. Interestingly, two years ago, the same car was involved in an accident, and my insurance company wanted to issue me a check for $3,400. I chose to repair it myself, and Progressive mentioned that I could potentially reopen that claim within three years to get compensated.
Now, I’m wondering if I can receive payment on that previous claim in addition to filing for the totaled vehicle. I do have receipts for the repairs I made prior to the recent accident.
Progressive indicated that I wouldn’t need to provide proof for the current claim; they would process the payout directly.
Another question I have is regarding the impact of the two-year-old accident on my insurance rates. When does the clock start ticking regarding potential rate increases—today or the date of the prior accident? I know that Progressive offers accident forgiveness for claims under $500, so that earlier incident didn’t affect my rates, and there was no payout to the other driver as it was deemed a 50/50 situation.
Any advice or insights would be appreciated!
I’m sorry to hear about your car! That sounds like a tough situation. Regarding your questions:
Collecting on the Old Claim: Since you have receipts from the repairs you made two years ago, you may have a case to reopen that claim. Since Progressive mentioned that your state allows claims to be reopened within three years, you should reach out to them and provide the necessary documentation. Be clear about the repairs you made and see if they will process the payout now that the car has been totaled.
Claiming for the Totaled Car: You can typically file a claim for the totaled car regardless of the prior accident. When you do, ensure that you provide all details about the previous accident and the repairs. Since Progressive indicated they would pay out without needing proof earlier, it seems they acknowledge the claim value.
Impact on Insurance Rates: Generally, the clock for how long an accident impacts your rates starts from the date of the accident, not when you receive a payout. However, since you mentioned that the initial accident resulted in no payout and was under the accident forgiveness program, it might not have an adverse effect on your rates. It’s a good idea to confirm this directly with Progressive so you know how your rates could be affected going forward.
Make sure to keep records of all communications with Progressive and gather any documentation you might need for both claims. Good luck!