Car Accident (not a major one)

[albertGQ]

So I was going north on Memorial Drive last night and hit a patch of ice and nailed the concrete barrier that divides the C-train tracks. My front bumper is #####ed as well as the left headlight. Also, for some reason my windshield washer fluid doens't work so maybe it got busted and emptied in the collision.

Anyway, what I was wondering is if I should go through insurance or not. My deductable is $1,000. I have a 2002 Acura RSX. Does anyone know approximately how much a new front bumper and headlight costs? I have an appointment with A-1 Autobody for them to do an appraisal of the damage on December 15th. Man, are they busy or what.

The reason I ask is my insurance company said since I have less then five years of driving experience they will lower me to a zero when my insurance is up for renewal. So basically if I pay the $1,000 deductable and go through my insurance, I will be considered a new driver when my insurance is up for renewal in August.

So, depending on how much it'll cost to repair my car I might go through insurance or pay it out of pocket

Is it normal practise for an insurance company to drop you from a four to a zero after only one at-fault collision? If not, then I guess I should shop around when its renewal time


So if there is anyone out there that can help me for my next course of action, that'll be great

Thanks!

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Is it normal practise for an insurance company to drop you from a four to a zero after only one at-fault collision? If not, then I guess I should shop around when its renewal time

When mine came up for renewal I paid an extra $25 or $50 for "accident forgiveness." Basically if I do something like what you did I can use up a claim without it going against my premiums.

Not sure if that's because I've gone so long without an accident or what.

And FWIW when my neightbour hit my Grand Am, the bumper and tail light cost him $1200 to fix. Not sure how much more Acuras are to fix.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

So I was going north on Memorial Drive last night and hit a patch of ice and nailed the concrete barrier that divides the C-train tracks. My front bumper is #####ed as well as the left headlight. Also, for some reason my windshield washer fluid doens't work so maybe it got busted and emptied in the collision.

Anyway, what I was wondering is if I should go through insurance or not. My deductable is $1,000. I have a 2002 Acura RSX. Does anyone know approximately how much a new front bumper and headlight costs? I have an appointment with A-1 Autobody for them to do an appraisal of the damage on December 15th. Man, are they busy or what.

The reason I ask is my insurance company said since I have less then five years of driving experience they will lower me to a zero when my insurance is up for renewal. So basically if I pay the $1,000 deductable and go through my insurance, I will be considered a new driver when my insurance is up for renewal in August.

So, depending on how much it'll cost to repair my car I might go through insurance or pay it out of pocket

Is it normal practise for an insurance company to drop you from a four to a zero after only one at-fault collision? If not, then I guess I should shop around when its renewal time


So if there is anyone out there that can help me for my next course of action, that'll be great

Thanks!

Different insurance companies handle it in different ways. Some have been known to drop clients after a single accident.

You need a bit more info to make your decision: How much will your car cost to fix (which you are working on), how much will your rates jump, and for how long, and finally, what rates can you get from someone else?

That way you can find out if a) you should pay it yourself, b) go through insurance and take the hit or c) go through your insurance and then drop them like a bad habit and go to a new company.

Good luck

[Burninator]

Well if you just wrecked you front bumper and headlight I would guess around $1500. If you did internal damage under the hood, the hood itself or the fender that will easily put you over $2000.

As for going through insurance or not, it depends on what it will cost to fix. $1000 deductable is alot conisder your rate will mostly go up after the accident. Personally I probaly wouldn't go through insurance unless it was over $2000. But's that me.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

I had a similar accident recently. My bumper damaged, the driver side light is busted, the hood is slightly dented, and some scratches to the quarter panel. This all came to $2500 dollars, and my car isn't a luxury line Acura. It's gonna be costly.

Also, have you reported this to the police? My understanding is if the accident is equal or more than $1,000. You need a police sticker, or the bodyshops won't touch your car. At least that's what I was told.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by fotze

Memorial goes East West, how were you going North?

Well, that would explain how he hit the barrier.

[Burninator]

My parents 1994 Sable wagon got damage to the fender, hood, headlight/turn signal, washer fluid tank and the estimate was just under $3500. More than half of that cost was labour. $3500 is more than the car is worth so its just sitting the garage for now.

[CaramonLS]

I was just in an accident yesterday, totaled my front bumper, bent the hood slightly, but all the lights still work. No leaking fluids or any visable intenal damage apart from Radiator readjustment.

Estimate today for me was 3700$ on a 1998 Acura Integra.

[Crazy Flamer]

Well at least you are going to the right place. I recently has my car fixed at A-1 Autobody. Everywhere I went they quoted me $1,000. A-1 got it done for 525 and they did a good job. I would wait to see what they tell you.

[Tailspin]

Is it normal practise for an insurance company to drop you from a four to a zero after only one at-fault collision? If not, then I guess I should shop around when its renewal time


The rating is based on number of years continually insured without an at-fault loss. If you have an at-fault loss you would revert to a 0 as it has been 0 years since your loss. Many companies offer some kind of accident forgiveness, which if applicable allows you to maintain your current record or obtain a reduced record that is still higher than a 0. Almost every companies accident forgiveness is different, some include discounts, some
do not, etc. Unfortunately if you go to a new company, they will likely rate you as a 0 as you are new business to them and no form of accident forgivness will apply.

A drop from a 4 to 0 could easily double what you are paying for insurance.

Different insurance companies handle it in different ways. Some have been known to drop clients after a single accident.

This was pre auto reform, now you cannot be lapsed for 1 at fault loss

[return to the red]

isn't hitting a patch of ice a no-fault accident. Isn't it like hitting a deer, in that you can't really do anything about it

[Tailspin]

Originally Posted by return to the red

isn't hitting a patch of ice a no-fault accident. Isn't it like hitting a deer, in that you can't really do anything about it

Weather/Road conditions have no bearing on fault whatsoever. Impact with an animal paid out under the comprehensive portion of the policy and that is why it doesnt count as an at fault loss. Generally the only truly not at fault collision losses you can have are hit and run accidents where your vehicle is parked and rear end collisions where you are not pushed into another vehicle or object.

[Buff]

I'll chime in on the costs to get repairs done. I had a 1994 Ford Tempo and I bumped into a guy. (Little plastic cars don't stand up well against big metal trucks).

Anyways, I needed a new bumper, grill, headlights, hood and radiator. My wife's uncle fixed it all for me so labour was something like $100 for everything. The cost for all the parts came close to $2000. He was able to find me the best deals on parts through his contacts he created while being an autobody mech and later an insurance agent.

My car was a cheap Ford Tempo, yours is newer and is a little more fancy schmancy than mine, so I'd imagine you'd be looking at no less than $2000 if you can go a similar route that I did.

[albertGQ]

Thanks alot everyone for their suggestions. I think I will end up going through insurance and paying the $1000 deductable. I'll just shop around once my renewal is up.

This just sucks with Christmas coming up and I just bought a house as well. I need new everthing. Bed, couch, TV, washer, dryer.

Man, am I stressed out due to money


Oh, and Fotze. Good catch. I guess I was going east then

[Tailspin]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Thanks alot everyone for their suggestions. I think I will end up going through insurance and paying the $1000 deductable. I'll just shop around once my renewal is up.

If thats what you are thinking of doing, call a few places now, and get a quote including the accident, chances are you are better off staying put.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by Tailspin

If thats what you are thinking of doing, call a few places now, and get a quote including the accident, chances are you are better off staying put.

What I don't get is why call places now when my insurance is not up for renewal until August???

[Tailspin]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

What I don't get is why call places now when my insurance is not up for renewal until August???

Its up to you, calling now will give you an idea how much the claim will affect your rate.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by Tailspin

Its up to you, calling now will give you an idea how much the claim will affect your rate.

Thanks dude

[albertGQ]

So I just came back from A-1 Autobody and got my damage appraised. Its gonna cost $2800.

Once again my deductable is $1000 and my insurance company said my premiums will probably go up $900 next year. So I am leaning towards just paying it out of my pocket. But with Christmas around the corner and I just bought a house where I haven't put the down payment on it yet, not to mention furniture, TV, etc.

I am pretty strapped for cash. Would anyone else be leaning towards paying it themselves or gonig through insurance?

[REDVAN]

How long is the insurance premium going up for-

because if you go through insurance it'll cost you at least 1900 (deductible plus next years raise in rate)

if you pay it yourself it is 2800. so will your rates stay 900 more for the 2nd year, or will it go down? Because then you'll actually pay less if you go through insurance.

don't know if it solves the problem, but it is maybe something you didn't think of yet.