Is It A Good Idea To File A Claim After A Minor Incident?
Some people believe that there are times when it is better not to file an auto insurance claim after an accident occurs, and this can be true. If you were involved in a minor incident and are thinking about not filing a claim, there are several things you should think about before going through with not filing a claim, and here are three things to know.
If another car was involved
When another car is involved with an accident with you, it is usually a good idea to file a claim, and there is a reason for this. If you caused damage to this car in the accident, even if it was minor, you could pay the person for the damages without filing a claim. The problem with this is that the person could end up suing you later on at some point if he or she finds that there are more problems with the car than what he or she first suspected. When another car is involved, it is usually a better idea to file a claim, as this will settle the matters with the person. The person then could not sue you later on if further problems were found with his or her car.
If your car was the only one damaged
If the accident only involved you and no other cars, you might be able to get by without filing a claim if you prefer paying the repairs out of your pocket. When no one else is involved, you have control over the situation and what happens. People will often decide not to file a claim with accidents like this, simply because it is easier not to, and they will also not have to worry about rising premiums that can occur from filing a claim.
The deductible you have
One other factor you should always consider when you have an accident that does not affect other cars is the amount you have for the deductible. If only minor damage occurred to your car, the costs for the repairs might be less than your deductible, and if this is the case, your insurance company would not compensate you for the damages anyhow.
There are times when filing a claim may affect a person's auto insurance rates, but this is not always the case. If you would like more information about the claims process, talk to an insurance agent today.