I've got a small auto theft claim pending for stolen head unit and some lock damage.

The total estimated repairs will come to $385 - deductible is $250. The insurance co doesn't want to give me the amount above $250, so I can fix it myself. This is opposite what my agent told me.

To get their measly $135, I have to pay $250. I can fix the truck as good or better than any shop and better than it was for about $150, or less.

So, what experience have others had on this kind of thing? Also, I've had the same insurance for over 20 yrs - never a collision or comprehensive claim on any vehicle.

Thanks for input.

 

I'm just curious, why would you file a claim for the damages if your deductable is higher than the amount to fix the damage?

 

That's how it works-deductables SUCK!!!

In our case we had a rock chip in our window, we were in England with the USAF, the deductable was $500.00 and the windshield was $300.00. I paid cash.

I have heard of folks not claiming for small amounts just so their insurance doesn't go up in the future.

 

Why put in a claim then?
I never submit claims for little bs amounts because 1) I don't want to give them a reason to hike my rates, and 2) the reason I have insurance is in case something really bad happens.

I replaced my windshield also and paid for it out of my pocket.
$200 cash at the local place, my deducatble was $250, so there's no point.

Car & home insurance, don't use it for little chicken chit things, keep it for the really big things.

Regards
H

 

Last time I made a claim with USAA, I didn't have to send a check for my deductible to anyone. They just subtracted it from the claim amount.

1. Their appraiser said the damage would cost $800 to repair
2. They sent me a check for $550 ($800 - my $250 deductible)
3. I got it fixed for $500 and pocketed a whopping $50

 

I suggest not claiming the small things also.

 

x2 not worth it IMO unless its atleast double your deductible for repair cost

 

if the ins co said the claim paid $385.00 and your deductible is $250.00
they should send ya a check for the diff.
most all ins co will work that way.

what hookey pookey ins co told ya that ????

and as far as that specific claim yes i think it was wrong of you to make such a small claim, the result of claims down the road can cost you much more then the $135.00 you might pocket.

 

Save up a couple of small incidents over time and claim it in as one big one. Legal? Probably not, but that's not to say it hasn't been done.

Make sure you have a consistent story about how that thief ripped your radio, bent your tie-rod, and scraped your fender with a concrete pole.

 

Some indurance companies are doing that now.



They find that it reduces the rate of Insurance fraud cases.


No point in committing fraud if the repair man is the one getting all the cash.

 

Agree with all of what you stated. The ins co has to pay you the difference($135). They can say whatever they want to but I just went through this with my claim on a house. They must pay you. However you are making a long term mistake taking it for the reason stated above. It will cost you more AND insurance co's will only pay three claims before they ditch you. If you want one of these to be $135 then go ahead but as the years pass you will regret it(maybe). Just swallow the $135 and move on. My advice....