Behold, my ride for this week.
It’s not a color that blends in very well. It’s called “Surf Blue Pearl.”
The PT Cruiser was actually on my short list of vehicles that i was considering seven years ago when i purchased my Accord. So it’s kind of fun to get to drive this thing around for a week. It definitely reaffirms my choice – i like my car better.
The verdict from the body shop is in – it will cost just over $2200 to get my car fixed. That’s a) a new sideview mirror, b) replace the busted tail light, c) replace the left quarter-panel where the dude hit me, d) new tire, and e) minor paint repairs along the driver’s side of the vehicle. Add in the rental car and it’s up to almost $2500.
Is it worth filing an insurance claim? I’m really not sure on this. My general idea about insurance is that it should be for the big problems, not the things that just sting. My deductible is $1000, so we’re basically talking about $1500. What is the risk of having your coverage dropped for making “small” claims? [This is not particularly small to me, but compared to a multi-car collision with possible injuries that must be treated, this is relatively small.] What about the risk of increased premiums?
What would you do?
September 29th, 2008 9:52 pm
I didn’t realize you had been in an accident. What happened? Email me some details. Your fault or his?
As you probably know, I was in an accident back in June. The old man ran a red light and hit me. The cops didn’t determine liability at the scene because it was basically my word versus his. After giving my story to both my insurance company and the other drivers’ company, the claim went to arbitration because his insurance said he wasn’t liable and mine said I wasn’t. Meanwhile, I paid my $500 collision deductible to have my car repaired. My total claim was for $2200, plus a week’s rental at $330. (It would have been more, but my dad brought me my old car since it was taking so long to determine liability…the repairs were in limbo.) It was worth it to me to risk the rate raise for $2. Fortunately, as it worked out, I won the arbitration claim and got my deductible back … still working on the rental car expenses.
I’ve never heard that there is a risk of losing coverage for “small” claims, but I guess it makes sense. Never known anyone who experienced such. If you’ve got a fairly clean record, it is probably worth just paying the deductible.
September 30th, 2008 8:56 am
What i’m hearing is that it is much more common for home owner’s insurance to drop you for small claims. Apparently that is quite common, and i was just confusing the two. I’ve decided to go ahead and file a claim.
It was a hit-and-run thing – i was sideswiped while i was parallel-parked in downtown Raleigh. There should be a detailed post about it from a few days ago – “Faith in Humanity”.