Insurance question, WWYD?

[KennedyMcKenna]

Little brother was practicing parking and popped the bumper off the Kia Soul with the Jeep Wrangler. The estimated damage to the Kia is $1500. We live in Michigan and have a $500 deductible. My question is, in the long run- which will cost less, the deductible with a hit on the insurance (don't know yet how much the hit will be) or the $1500 without claiming it. WWYD? Thanks Dis friends

 

[ilovemk76]

Little brother was practicing parking and popped the bumper off the Kia Soul with the Jeep Wrangler. The estimated damage to the Kia is $1500. We live in Michigan and have a $500 deductible. My question is, in the long run- which will cost less, the deductible with a hit on the insurance (don't know yet how much the hit will be) or the $1500 without claiming it. WWYD? Thanks Dis friends

I am guessing that your little brother is a teen. Does he have a license? If it was me I would pay the $1500 and not tell the insurance company.

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

I am guessing that your little brother is a teen. Does he have a license? If it was me I would pay the $1500 and not tell the insurance company.

No license. It was in the driveway, a beginners mistake- but we are deciding to push back getting his drivers license for awhile to get in more practice time. Thanks for your suggestion, I'm hesitant to claim it.

 

[kim929]

If he doesn't have a license, does he at least have a permit? If her doesn't I don't know if your insurance would cover it. But I would just pay out of pocket my insurance doubled after my dd got into an accident with my car.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

No license. It was in the driveway, a beginners mistake- but we are deciding to push back getting his drivers license for awhile to get in more practice time. Thanks for your suggestion, I'm hesitant to claim it.

Does he have his permit, at least? I'd be inclined to pay OOP for the fixing of the bumper.

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

If he doesn't have a license, does he at least have a permit? If her doesn't I don't know if your insurance would cover it. But I would just pay out of pocket my insurance doubled after my dd got into an accident with my car.

Yes he has the permit, and yikes- doubled? That's insane. Plus, it may make him that much more expensive to insure when he does get his license. Thanks for the info.

 

[ozziejen2000]

Former insurance adjuster here. I would pay out of pocket for it. I would get more than one estimate. Your insurance will go up if you are found at fault, regardless of the driver. You might also lose a no accident discount as well.

I think he needs a little more practice too.

 

[iwannbindisnee]

Hi I'm an insurance agent (Not from your state & NOT an adjsuter who know all the ins & outs!) But if you were my client I would advise you to pay it out of pocket, One, b/c it adversely affect your poliy (depending on if you have an accident forgiveness addendum or not).
Two, b/c it could adversely affect him from getting his license, ina certain time frame. In our state if the child gets a violation before they get their provisional license, they are "penalized" & made to wait longer. You said you may have him wait, but the penalty coud be longer than what you want him to wait. Deb

 

[2disneyboys]

Hi I'm an insurance agent (Not from your state & NOT an adjsuter who know all the ins & outs!) But if you were my client I would advise you to pay it out of pocket, One, b/c it adversely affect your poliy (depending on if you have an accident forgiveness addendum or not).
Two, b/c it could adversely affect him from getting his license, ina certain time frame. In our state if the child gets a violation before they get their provisional license, they are "penalized" & made to wait longer. You said you may have him wait, but the penalty coud be longer than what you want him to wait. Deb

DITTO these... pay for it out of pocket.. I try & save my insurance for the "big" losses & thats what we tell our client's also.. we can't make them not turn it in, but we highly recommend they pay out of pocket if possible.

 

[girli565]

Was the bumper damaged or did it just pop off? Usually you can get someone to pop it back in for under the deductible.

If it's damaged and you need a new one I'd pay out of pocket. In the long run the OOP costs will be less than the insurance hike.

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

Just talked to our agent. Because the amount after deductible will be under $1500, there will be no raised rate if we claim, additionally because we're up for renewal, if we wait to have the work done until february, no additional charges well ever be incurred for this claim. He also talked to the dealership and because we are a no fault state, the dealership has provisions for minor issues or things like hitting a dear or snow/ice related minor issues so they will be paying the deductible. We feel very lucky as does little brother, who cried when he found out we had no OOP for this incident. He also has decided to voluntarily wait longer for his drivers license.

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

Was the bumper damaged or did it just pop off? Usually you can get someone to pop it back in for under the deductible.

If it's damaged and you need a new one I'd pay out of pocket. In the long run the OOP costs will be less than the insurance hike.

It just popped off like Legos! Unfortunately, the rivets holding it on popped off Titanic style when the bumper came off. Thanks for the advice!

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

Former insurance adjuster here. I would pay out of pocket for it. I would get more than one estimate. Your insurance will go up if you are found at fault, regardless of the driver. You might also lose a no accident discount as well.

I think he needs a little more practice too.

He's a very good kid, and recognized himself that he wasn't ready to get his DL when all his friends were.

We are still planning to get additional estimates. Thanks so much for your input, I appreciate it!