Should i claim insurance?

[SAV912]

Originally Posted by caineroad

a blown bulb won't cost $180, is the labour that kills $106/hr at my toyota dealership, plus if I get one bulb replaced, might as well change other bulbs(interior) hence the extra cost

The insurance is not going to cover blown bulbs. Lightbulbs, like tires, belts and all other maintenance items are considered wear items. Buy the tiny parking light bulb (any 194 wedge will do), pop your hood, replace the bulb and you'll be done with that. Savings of $178 and your insurance won't be at as much risk of going up in the future for 'bogus' claims.

The dealership is, like most anything else, a business. They charge you for an hour of labor to do two minutes of work. Moreover, if this was an expensive car, I'd understand your concerns, but filing claims like this at the end of 'planned' ownership on a Yaris is not going to net you coming out ahead in the long run. A Yaris in good condition in two years might sticker for $6500 or so, vs one with some bumps and bruises for $5000. I guess in your case it would depend on the severity of the roof and door dents. Are they relatively minor or what? From what it sounds like, I wouldn't bother at all with claiming on insurance at the other end. It seems like an unnecessary risk. File as soon as they happen, if it's that big of a deal.

-C

[caineroad]

Originally Posted by SAV912

The dealership is, like most anything else, a business. They charge you for an hour of labor to do two minutes of work. Moreover, if this was an expensive car, I'd understand your concerns, but filing claims like this at the end of 'planned' ownership on a Yaris is not going to net you coming out ahead in the long run. A Yaris in good condition in two years might sticker for $6500 or so, vs one with some bumps and bruises for $5000. I guess in your case it would depend on the severity of the roof and door dents. Are they relatively minor or what? From what it sounds like, I wouldn't bother at all with claiming on insurance at the other end. It seems like an unnecessary risk. File as soon as they happen, if it's that big of a deal.

-C

Got you! Only thing I wont replace the lightbulb is that the yaris HB has a really hard to get place to change the small bulb, i did this before and took me an hr and help from a friend. that's why they have to charge me an hr to do cuz it is not easy as the sedan.

the roof is not very bad, but like every dent it is obvious when I tell you there is a dent on the roof otherwise the next owner might not even spot it. As for the side of the car, there are at least like 40-50 light scratches, my car is silver and the scratches appears white, some have gone deeper so i got a touch up pen and fix every scratch to prevent rusting at the moment.

[SAV912]

Originally Posted by caineroad

Got you! Only thing I wont replace the lightbulb is that the yaris HB has a really hard to get place to change the small bulb, i did this before and took me an hr and help from a friend. that's why they have to charge me an hr to do cuz it is not easy as the sedan.

The small parking bulbs, correct? They are inboard and closer to the center of the nose of the car and take two seconds to pop out. Twist, pull, replace, done.

The headlamps themselves are much harder if you don't pull the front bumper off, but the small parking lamps are a cinch.

[SailDesign]

Bottom line is that if you HAVE insurance, why the fcuk would you NOT claim immediately? That's just throwing $$ at the insurance companies and expecting nothing in return...
Just my 0.02

[caineroad]

Originally Posted by SailDesign

Bottom line is that if you HAVE insurance, why the fcuk would you NOT claim immediately? That's just throwing $$ at the insurance companies and expecting nothing in return...
Just my 0.02

Your bottom line might be different.... if you make a claim now your premium would go much higher next year especially with two at fault claims that we discussed here. That means you are still throwing $$ at the company with no return.

Insurance company will always make money, unless you cancel the policy after the claims you will always lose money otherwise they won't be in business.

[WeeYari]

^ His biggest problem is hitting that pillar. Other stuff are comp claims which pretty much equal his deductibles.

Hitting the pillar, where he lives, is considered an at fault claim. Sure he can file, but as I said, his subsequent rate increases will bite him in the a$$ for years to come.

Unfortunately the way the insurance industry has evolved, the only benefit to rate payers is the event of a not at fault collision.

[shima]

I just put an insurance claim in and got my passenger side repaired, was parked and it was really windy outside, passenger opened the door, and the wind ripped it out of their hands and into a light post. Had to argue w/ the insurance so they'd file it as no fault instead of at fault, but they did change it at the end of the day and I was good to go and it only cost me my deductible (500....but the repair work was 1,400 so that's a $900 savings for me)

[caineroad]

Guys

I never claim insurance before, so I am not sure how that works.

I was thinking I just report it to the insurance company, they acknowledge. Then bring in the repair receipt and maybe snap a few pictures of the damage then they will honour you whatever after your deductible. How would they know if it is a recent damage or a year back honestly?

Right now I think I can claim the windshield because it was not at-fault, i was on highway and a small rock hit my windshield. But the rest I am not sure hence I am asking on this forum to see what's the best thing to do, since insurance is insurance at the end of the day I can make claims on any damage to the car but how to do it right, that is the question:)

[DMZ]

Originally Posted by caineroad

Guys

I never claim insurance before, so I am not sure how that works.

I was thinking I just report it to the insurance company, they acknowledge. Then bring in the repair receipt and maybe snap a few pictures of the damage then they will honour you whatever after your deductible. How would they know if it is a recent damage or a year back honestly?

Right now I think I can claim the windshield because it was not at-fault, i was on highway and a small rock hit my windshield. But the rest I am not sure hence I am asking on this forum to see what's the best thing to do, since insurance is insurance at the end of the day I can make claims on any damage to the car but how to do it right, that is the question:)

The windshield they will usually pay, no questions asked.

Other damage will be assigned to a claim adjuster, who contracts his services to different insurance companies. He will come out and take a look at the damage and research the cost. If the damaged was cause by an accident, that meaning while the vehicle was moving, then he will need to have a accident report. Hopefully, you filed one with your company after the damage was incurred. If that was not done, I am not sure where it goes from there.

He needs that report so he can make a accurate assessment of the damage you are claiming. It helps prevent fraudulent claims. Good claim adjusters are good at spotting things that do not seem make sense. In other words, it is very hard to try and get over on them, after all they assess damaged autos for a living.

After the adjuster looks at the auto, he will contact you within a week or so with a settlement. If you do not agree with his offer, there is some room to negotiate, but not much.

[caineroad]

Originally Posted by DMZ

The windshield they will usually pay, no questions asked.

Other damage will be assigned to a claim adjuster, who contracts his services to different insurance companies. He will come out and take a look at the damage and research the cost. If the damaged was cause by an accident, that meaning while the vehicle was moving, then he will need to have a accident report. Hopefully, you filed one with your company after the damage was incurred. If that was not done, I am not sure where it goes from there.

He needs that report so he can make a accurate assessment of the damage you are claiming. It helps prevent fraudulent claims. Good claim adjusters are good at spotting things that do not seem make sense. In other words, it is very hard to try and get over on them, after all they assess damaged autos for a living.

After the adjuster looks at the auto, he will contact you within a week or so with a settlement. If you do not agree with his offer, there is some room to negotiate, but not much.

i see, that's good to know I didn't know the adjustor would actually come out and inspect the car lol. but yea thanks I will claim for the windshield!

[DebbyM46227]

Who cares about carbon emission? I certainly don't. This thread is just too strange.

[caineroad]

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

Who cares about carbon emission? I certainly don't. This thread is just too strange.

Americans can't speak for emission themselves, you guys are still producing more CO2 than China, is perfectly normal that you don't care as your government is never willing to comply with meeting lower emission targets.
Don't worry about it, and don't be shame of yourself, not your fault!

[Blue Y job]

Alright, I'll throw my two cents in. As for the Mazilla having 5 vehicles, he/she can only pilot one at a time anyway, and if he can afford gas and insurance, why should it bother you? He is supporting the world economy. Plus, he was trying to shed some light on your initial question, caineroad.

[carnageehw]

One addition thing that I am not sure about, but is worth thinking about.

If you go through insurance, and need an accident report, there might be a report on your Carfax, or other similar history checking service.

If your car is reported to have an accident on it, it might hurt resale value, and you might just consider fixing it yourself.

But I also agree with the poster that said you shouldn't claim it due to it being your fault. I would never try to claim damage to my car that I caused. It's gonna cost you too much in the long run.

[caineroad]

Originally Posted by carnageehw

One addition thing that I am not sure about, but is worth thinking about.

If you go through insurance, and need an accident report, there might be a report on your Carfax, or other similar history checking service.

If your car is reported to have an accident on it, it might hurt resale value, and you might just consider fixing it yourself.

But I also agree with the poster that said you shouldn't claim it due to it being your fault. I would never try to claim damage to my car that I caused. It's gonna cost you too much in the long run.

Oh yea you are right, I didn't realize this! great info!

[caineroad]

Originally Posted by Blue Y job

Alright, I'll throw my two cents in. As for the Mazilla having 5 vehicles, he/she can only pilot one at a time anyway, and if he can afford gas and insurance, why should it bother you? He is supporting the world economy. Plus, he was trying to shed some light on your initial question, caineroad.

Lol look at american economy now, in this recession.. how is he going to contribute to support 'world' economy? I certainly appreciate his response, and I think he is really smart on that I would have done the same if I could no questions asked. It just shocked me when I heard he has 5 cars, of course he can only pilot one at a time, the rest are probably his family so that makes each person has a car and that is pretty sad. But I think it is quite common in the US. Sorry don't blame me, but blame my profession I work for a company as environmental consultant to meet environmental regulations and have a degree in environmental science.

[mazilla]

Originally Posted by caineroad

Lol look at american economy now, in this recession.. how is he going to contribute to support 'world' economy? I certainly appreciate his response, and I think he is really smart on that I would have done the same if I could no questions asked. It just shocked me when I heard he has 5 cars, of course he can only pilot one at a time, the rest are probably his family so that makes each person has a car and that is pretty sad. But I think it is quite common in the US. Sorry don't blame me, but blame my profession I work for a company as environmental consultant to meet environmental regulations and have a degree in environmental science.

It's just my wife and I....and our 4 month old son.

[DMZ]

So, I wonder how this scenario would play out?

A person has the deductible lowered to $0.00, knowing that the premium will increase. Two months later submits a claim for various damages that obviously have been accumulated over a period of time.