Car damage from freeway road hazard. Will my rates go up if i fix thru insurance?

Question

While driving on the freeway, a metal object from car in front of me fell and damaged the front of my car. Will my insurance raise my rates or negatively effect my insurance record if I go through insurance to get it fixed? I use Mercury insurance in California and I have standard collision coverage. Thanks

Answer 1

Make sure you indicate that the metal object that fell was MOVING when it hit you. That way it will be considered a comprehensive loss which is not chargeable. Falling objects and live animals are considered comprehensive (no chargeable losses). However, if the object fell from the car earlier and was lying in the road and THEN you hit it...it could be considered a fixed object (stationary) loss and that would be chargeable. I.E. if you hit a cow crossing the road...it is not chargeable; however, if someone else hit the cow and left it in the road, only for you to hit it again 10 minutes later, then your loss is chargeable.

Answer 2

Unless you have a prior arrangement with your company (like accident forgiveness), any claim will cause your rates to go up. And I'm not sure if it would be a collision claim anyway; probably comprehensive.

Insurance is really for the big stuff, like being sued or your car being totaled. It's more cost effective to take car of the small things yourself.

Answer 3

I had similar problem, and I HAD mercury. not anymore.
Consider cost of damage and deductible. If your deductible is $500, and it costs $700 to fix, your going to pay $500 and ins. pays $200, but then the'll raise your premium by $500-$1000.

If the damage was extensive, over $1000, then go through insurance. Then start shopping for new ins. Good Luck!
Allstate and AARP, will give you a break 1st time.

Answer 4

If it fell of something, it's a comprehensive loss, if you drove over it, it's a collision loss. You are free to make the claim if it's covered under your policy, but you'd have to pay your deductible. I don't know about California, but if this is non-fault usually a single claim like that won't affect your rates. It's a common thought that one claim will do it, when in fact it depends on a lot of other factors.

Answer 5

Be sure to tell your insurance company that the object flew off the car in front of you and hit your car. Do not tell them that it hit the ground first then your car. Why?... Comprehensive coverage is for fire, theft, vandalism, animal strike, flood and FLYING OBJECTS. If you tell them it hit the ground then your car the company may claim it off of your COLLISION coverage which may result in a rate increase. Generally, COMPREHENSIVE claims do not impact your rate. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

it continues to be a public place, subsequently the vehicle will nonetheless might desire to be taxed and insured. additionally, parking on the grass verge may well be classed as unlawful parking, so which you ought to be ticketed for unlawful parking besides as for no tax and no insurance. If the vehicle is SORN it is going to be on inner maximum sources, the place the final public would not often have get right of entry to.

Answer 7

Get insurance quotes

Answer 8

i dont believe so. as long as you're not at fault. it would've helped if you got their plate number

Answer 9

Was curious on the answer too

Answer 10

You can easily get and compare quotes from different companies at: http://WWW.INSUREINFO.INFO