Should I contact my auto insurance agent?

[mom2boys]

A couple of nights ago I was two or three cars behind a vehicle that hit a deer. The deer died immediately - never knew what hit here. It was in the middle of the lane & not visible until I was right up on it - too late to completely avoid it so I went over it. It was a large deer & I may have run over it's legs. It definitely scraped my undercarriage. Called DH - he said not to worry, it couldn't hurt my van. Well today I turn a corner & hear a scraping noise. Turns out a metal cover over a doo- hicky (technical term) was dragging the ground. My uninformed guess is that it was protection for the transmission - it covered a long shaft goes down the center of the van from front to way back somewhere

 

[golfgal]

I would bring it into a trusted mechanic and have them look at it first. It might not be an expensive repair and you will most likely want to pay for it out of your own pocket so your rates don't go up. If it is expensive, then contact the insurance agent, meaning it is a LOT more then your deductible.

 

[dennis99ss]

Sounds like aprotective cover. I would bet its not a big deal to put back on. If it was the drive shaft, you wouldn't be moving. If it is the transmission casing, you either won't be moving, or, won't be moving for long, or, will have a colored fluid in the area, on the ground, and sprayed back by the wind. Transmission fluid will be lighter than oil, red or pinkish or clear in color depending on what you drive, etc. It is also more "oily" in feel than your motor oil, as the motor oil likely has some dirt, particles in it. If you do see transmission fluid, don't drive it. Its a good way to chew up the transmission, therby leading to expensive repairs.

 

[ahutton]

FYI - This would fall on your "Comprehensive" or "Other Than Collision" coverage for your auto. Do you know your deductible amount? It is probably on your ID cards, would for certain be on your Declarations Page. That would be the indicator of if you need involve them. If you have it looked at (by a trusted source) and they say it will cost more than the deductible, and you don't want to pay the difference (above that deductible) to repair it yourself, then report the loss. The insurance company will probably want to see it first though, before it gets repaired.

On the other hand, you might check your insurance company's website, see if they list repair shops they work with directly if you don't have someone you already use. That is a great resource for good quality shops.

 

[zalansky]

Like ahutton said, this is a comprehensive loss. Comprehensive losses are considered "not at fault" losses. No insurance company I have ever worked for (Progressive, State Farm and Travelers) has ever increased a premium for comprehensive losses. These type of claims should not increase your rates. I would report it.

 

[mrsstats]

A comprehensive loss would not increase your insurance rates. However, if you are getting a claim free credit, you would loss that. Also, an insurance company will look at over all claims and could non-renew your insurance. Many things to consider before putting in the claim.

 

[helenk]

It could very well be a collision loss since she ran over the deer once it was already in the road.
Hitting an animal is a comprehensive claim, because you can not determine where an animal is going to go. The animal was already in the road way and then struck, so it may be considered a collision claim.

 

[ducklite]

Like ahutton said, this is a comprehensive loss. Comprehensive losses are considered "not at fault" losses. No insurance company I have ever worked for (Progressive, State Farm and Travelers) has ever increased a premium for comprehensive losses. These type of claims should not increase your rates. I would report it.

Agreed. I had a deer run over my hood and roof (complete with hoof prints!) and the damage was fairly extensive. It was considered an act of God, and my rates didn't go up.

Anne

 

[kellydizfan]

I agree - it might be a collision loss (depends on the claims adjuster) as she did not kill the deer - it was already dead in the middle of the road and would then be chargeable for 39 months if the damage is over $1,000 - this is the rule in NY unless the company has a 1st accident forgiveness policy if no prior accidents. If she has had other claims, yes the company could non-renew the policy then it would definetly increase her rates due to losses. I would get it looked at first, see what the damage is then call the insurance agent on the policy to question whether the company would decide if it was collision or comprehensive.

 

[LisaNJ25]

A comprehensive loss would not increase your insurance rates. However, if you are getting a claim free credit, you would loss that. Also, an insurance company will look at over all claims and could non-renew your insurance. Many things to consider before putting in the claim.

I filled a claim in June because someone hit the side of my car. It was during the day and no one saw it. After my deductable my insurance company paid me $600 towards it.

last month I get a notice form some new insurance company that is taking over my account ( Didnt even know that this was legal), than today I get a letter from an even different company.


Pissed is not the word.. We get our insurance thought hubby's job (county employee). Our payments come out of his paycheck every 2 weeks for over 3 years now. So I know late payments have nothing to do with us being transferrered to another company.

Now this new company I dont know what the rates will be and they do not do payroll deductions. I am lookign elsewhere.

 

[mom2boys]

DH say the part but since I just got home, he hasn't been able to look under the van (it's dark too). He says it looks like a protective plate for the cadilitic converter. Wouldn't you know I just got the notice to have my exhaust inspected? DH doesn't think it will cause the van to fail the test.

 

[twojo21]

get an estimate first for the damage. dont file a claim unless its over your deductible.

 

[ducklite]

DH say the part but since I just got home, he hasn't been able to look under the van (it's dark too). He says it looks like a protective plate for the cadilitic converter. Wouldn't you know I just got the notice to have my exhaust inspected? DH doesn't think it will cause the van to fail the test.

In that case it's going to cost less to fix than your deductible probably. Take it to any exhaust place and they can probably have you back on the road with it repaired in about an hour for under $100 (unless the catylatic converter is also damaged--then it's going to cost in the $400-500 neighborhood.)

Anne