Someone backed into our car about a month ago while we were in the grocery. Of course no witnesses and it was just damage to the bumper. I did not know whether to involve police so I called my insurance company to inquire what I should do. Anyway I told insurance that I wasn't sure if I wanted to file a claim or not but the girl said they would send out an adjustor to look and give us an estimate to make a decision. In less than 24 hours the adjustor was there and gave me the estimate and even suggested that we might want to consider handling it ourselves. After he left I took the car to the dealership and got an estimate $300 less. So given our deductible and the low cost of repair I called the insurance company back that day and told them I did NOT want to file a claim and we were taking care of it ourselves. The girl then stated that a check had already been issued but she would do a "stop payment" on it and if we did receive something in the mail to go ahead and destroy it.

 

Fastforward to today, as I was checking our auto insurance online I noticed a claim. I called the company to ask why the claim was showing up when I told them I did not want to file and there was a stop payment done by them on the check? She told me because I "initiated the process" it was put there. I asked if this would cause an increase in my premium for the next year and was told "they do not know" but they do have indication I did not want to file the claim and the check had a stop payment.

 

Can anyone out there who works with this tell me if I'm screwed? Will my premium increase even though there was no payout? I kind of feel I got set up for the possibility because all this estimate and check producing happened in incredible speed, less than 24 hours! Really appreciate any info.

Had a 16 year old hit my car. Her mom asked me if it was OK if I got an estimate and she just paid it. I told he sure thing. I than got a call from her insurance company. Gave her a call back to ask if she was now running it threw them? She told me no. Hhe called back in a few minutes saying she now had to run it thru them since they were aware of it.

Good luck with it.

Had something similar happen a few years back. Long story short, if they're made aware of it, regardless of whether or not you go through insurance, the claim gets added to your record.

Someone backed into our car about a month ago while we were in the grocery. Of course no witnesses and it was just damage to the bumper. I did not know whether to involve police so I called my insurance company to inquire what I should do. Anyway I told insurance that I wasn't sure if I wanted to file a claim or not but the girl said they would send out an adjustor to look and give us an estimate to make a decision. In less than 24 hours the adjustor was there and gave me the estimate and even suggested that we might want to consider handling it ourselves. After he left I took the car to the dealership and got an estimate $300 less. So given our deductible and the low cost of repair I called the insurance company back that day and told them I did NOT want to file a claim and we were taking care of it ourselves. The girl then stated that a check had already been issued but she would do a "stop payment" on it and if we did receive something in the mail to go ahead and destroy it.

 

Fastforward to today, as I was checking our auto insurance online I noticed a claim. I called the company to ask why the claim was showing up when I told them I did not want to file and there was a stop payment done by them on the check? She told me because I "initiated the process" it was put there. I asked if this would cause an increase in my premium for the next year and was told "they do not know" but they do have indication I did not want to file the claim and the check had a stop payment.

 

Can anyone out there who works with this tell me if I'm screwed? Will my premium increase even though there was no payout? I kind of feel I got set up for the possibility because all this estimate and check producing happened in incredible speed, less than 24 hours! Really appreciate any info.

 

I don't know if you are screwed or not because I know nothing about it. However, my guess is when they factor costs of things throughout the year if they send an adjuster it does cost them $$ whether you claim or not.

 

Not sure how much that costs but it has to be factored somewhere.

I had a small fender bender in the snow a few years ago. I fishtailed into an oncoming car. There was no apparent damage to the other car but I did get some damage to mine. The other car was a business car so he called the police to have a report made just in case something comes up later that he couldn't see. I never heard another thing from the other driver but my insurance found out I guess through the police report but my premiums did not rise. But there was a record on my accident.

It'll be on your record, and there really isn't anything you can do about it. Insurance companies should base your premium on the amount of risk you present to them as your insured (i.e. young, inexperienced drivers pose more of a risk than a middle aged, experienced driver). With that said, insurance companies are private (i.e. non-government) entities that can basically do whatever they want.

 

Any "at fault" incidents will contribute to the increase in your premium. Likewise, multiple claims (even if you are not at fault) may increase your premium. My recommendation is to shop around. If one company increases your premium for using your insurance (or simply reporting a potential claim), then you can probably find another one to offer the same/similar product without the BS increase.

Someone backed into our car about a month ago while we were in the grocery. Of course no witnesses and it was just damage to the bumper. I did not know whether to involve police so I called my insurance company to inquire what I should do. Anyway I told insurance that I wasn't sure if I wanted to file a claim or not but the girl said they would send out an adjustor to look and give us an estimate to make a decision. In less than 24 hours the adjustor was there and gave me the estimate and even suggested that we might want to consider handling it ourselves. After he left I took the car to the dealership and got an estimate $300 less. So given our deductible and the low cost of repair I called the insurance company back that day and told them I did NOT want to file a claim and we were taking care of it ourselves. The girl then stated that a check had already been issued but she would do a "stop payment" on it and if we did receive something in the mail to go ahead and destroy it.

 

Fastforward to today, as I was checking our auto insurance online I noticed a claim. I called the company to ask why the claim was showing up when I told them I did not want to file and there was a stop payment done by them on the check? She told me because I "initiated the process" it was put there. I asked if this would cause an increase in my premium for the next year and was told "they do not know" but they do have indication I did not want to file the claim and the check had a stop payment.

 

Can anyone out there who works with this tell me if I'm screwed? Will my premium increase even though there was no payout? I kind of feel I got set up for the possibility because all this estimate and check producing happened in incredible speed, less than 24 hours! Really appreciate any info.

 

The second they said they would send an adjustor out you were making a claim. Now if they misled you on that point you will have to make your case to them.

 

Frankly, if you didn't make a claim and your insurance company misled you about the adjustor then I would call your agent back and in no uncertain terms tell them they are either going to erase the "claim" off of your record or they can cancel your insurance, you are going with a different company.

One more thing, if they will not erase the claim then I would go ahead and tell them fine, I will make the claim, send me the money. And as soon as you cash the check cancel and go with a different company.

 

And next time post on BGP first.

 

Insurance companies are for profit businesses that represent themselves, not you.

Go through an Independent Insurance Agent. A good one would have told you to get a bid on your own and then call back if you decide to file a claim.

Car insurance is a racket . Only use it for major costs or accidents.

Go through an Independent Insurance Agent. A good one would have told you to get a bid on your own and then call back if you decide to file a claim.

 

The independents make their money on rebates at the end of the year. If they get thru a year with no major catastrophes, they can get a nice chunk. They would probably not want you to claim a small one but may also consider you a higher risk when getting your policy renewed.

The second they said they would send an adjustor out you were making a claim. Now if they misled you on that point you will have to make your case to them.

 

Frankly, if you didn't make a claim and your insurance company misled you about the adjustor then I would call your agent back and in no uncertain terms tell them they are either going to erase the "claim" off of your record or they can cancel your insurance, you are going with a different company.

 

One more thing, if they will not erase the claim then I would go ahead and tell them fine, I will make the claim, send me the money. And as soon as you cash the check cancel and go with a different company.

 

And next time post on BGP first.

 

Insurance companies are for profit businesses that represent themselves, not you.

 

Thanks for the info.

Go through an Independent Insurance Agent. A good one would have told you to get a bid on your own and then call back if you decide to file a claim.

 

I did. That's how I got what I have now, haven't been with them quite a year yet. Thanks for the info.

Car insurance is a racket . Only use it for major costs or accidents.

 

Amen. When I saw the damage, I immediately thought $1000+ which is why I even contacted my insurance to ask what I should do. Obviously nowadays they DO NOT act in your best interest, but only look for ways to get more money out of you.