OT: Car Insurance Question

[BatemanPatrickl]

Can the insurance company raise your rates if someone hits you and leaves? Some a$$hole backed into my car and left the parking lot without leaving a note.

Insurance companies in the US are the biggest scam artists out there and I am worried they may jack my rates up again

[remmy358]

yes, your rates will raise. for sure. unfortunately, that's how it works. even if you get into an accident that is NOT your fault, your rates will often rise. i've heard it first hand from a lot of people. if i were you, i'd check your deductable (probably 250 or 500), and see how much the damage is. you may be better off paying for it yourself if it's not over 1000

[pico]

Can the insurance company raise your rates if someone hits you and leaves? Some a$$hole backed into my car and left the parking lot without leaving a note.

Insurance companies in the US are the biggest scam artists out there and I am worried they may jack my rates up again

can you call the cops on that? that is a leaving a scene of accident...a misdomeanor offense. maybe with a police report, your rate won't go up.

[bigboydan]

They sure the hell can.

I hear that All-state will cancel you out for even the smallest of claims.

[BatemanPatrickl]

can you call the cops on that? that is a leaving a scene of accident...a misdomeanor offense. maybe with a police report, your rate won't go up.

Cops can't do crap; the person left

[remmy358]

can you call the cops on that? that is a leaving a scene of accident...a misdomeanor offense. maybe with a police report, your rate won't go up.

that is the common sense theory, but unfortunatley car insurance companies dont look at it like that. anytime you even call them, even if it's a $0 claim, they have grounds to raise your rates.

the chances of finding someone who bumps into you and runs is near 0%, the only way you can do it is if it's someone you know and suspect it and can come up with some evidence, or if you have a 3rd party or saw, or if you can get it on video surv. and get a plate #

[pico]

if you think about it, insurance is a form of gambling. you betting about +10000 odds (estimate) that you'll get into an accident.

you can also bet that your house will be burned down, flooded, tornado damange etc. so if you hate the Red Sox, you can "buy insurance" by betting on Red Sox winning the pennant. it seems like emotional insurance to me. i remmeber watching all state commerical talking about social disaster insurance (joking of course)...why not offering emotional insurance that your favorite team might lose the game by buying insurance on the opposite team winning. seem logical to me.

[pico]

Cops can't do crap; the person left

if it makes you feel any better, that person will have bad karma. maybe one day he'll get into a front end collusion with a tractor trailor. what goes around comes around

[onlooker]

Sorry to hear it Bate, but your shiet out of luck since the dude left. How bad is the damage? Maybe get it fixed without filing a claim.

[pico]

that is the common sense theory, but unfortunatley car insurance companies dont look at it like that. anytime you even call them, even if it's a $0 claim, they have grounds to raise your rates.

the chances of finding someone who bumps into you and runs is near 0%, the only way you can do it is if it's someone you know and suspect it and can come up with some evidence, or if you have a 3rd party or saw, or if you can get it on video surv. and get a plate #

well, here is a tip. what i do is if there are multiple empty parking spots in a parking lot, i always park next to a car that is way nicer than mine. or you can find a big truck or van to park next to because you can use those cars as buffer cars in case of a bad driver can't see where he/she is backing into. if someone want to steal a car, they'll go for the fancy car next to yours rather than your car. i worked so far...accident free in parking lots so far...knock on wood. now if you can't find a car in the parking lot that is nicer than yours, maybe you should stop shopping at k-mart

[BatemanPatrickl]

Sorry to hear it Bate, but your shiet out of luck since the dude left. How bad is the damage? Maybe get it fixed without filing a claim.

Don't know yet; I have no clue what it will cost to fix but the passenger side panel is messed up.

I thought they can only raise rates based on points on your license?

[remmy358]

I thought they can only raise rates based on points on your license?

not true. they can raise it for many other reasons, such as credit score, and any sort of claim, or other weird reasons.

[bigboydan]

He could be like Clarett and bust out his window. Then park it in a parking lot, and claim somebody stole it along with the $10,000 worth of personal property he had in the back seat.

[onlooker]

such as credit score

Wouldn't they have to get your authorization to run a credit check?

[BatemanPatrickl]

But they raise the rates during renewal time only?

[djeffer1]

what state are you in..companies can raise your rate based on a variety of factors, including claims. Other factors such as credit vary based on the state (as some such as Ca or Hi dont allow this as a factor). Generally, this is a not at fault loss and they wont raise rates (again this is a general statement, some companies might or there could be other factors).

Also as stated they can only raise (or lower) rates at the policy renewal..a policy is a contract and you are locked into that price for the most part.

[remmy358]

But they raise the rates during renewal time only?

i have never heard of anyones rates going up during the period - i don't know if they are barred from doing it, but is extremely unlikely. when i totaled my car a while ago, my rates didnt raise until my new policy came.

[remmy358]

Wouldn't they have to get your authorization to run a credit check?

i'm sure you agree to it originally when signing up for the initial policy. i know they check my credit, they lowered my rates because of it and told me that.

[BatemanPatrickl]

i'm sure you agree to it originally when signing up for the initial policy. i know they check my credit, they lowered my rates because of it and told me that.

That is true; just read an article about a guy who is getting killed because of credit scores.

[vanman]

As far as i`m aware car insurance is pretty much the same in the states as it is here in england.If you don`t want your insurance to go up as a result of this car hitting yours then you have no choice but to pay yourself.If the damage is going to be say$2000 or more then get yourself some quotes for new insurance without any no claim bonus to see if it is worth claiming on your own insurance.

[remmy358]

That is true; just read an article about a guy who is getting killed because of credit scores.

yeah, my credit has dropped in the past 6 months and my rates went up...i guess the theory is ...

low credit score = need other ways to get $, greater risk of someone making a claim.

insurance companies pay $ to the owner, and as far as i know, the owner doesn't have to fix the car. so if you bang up for your car and put 4K in damage, they'll send you a check - fix it if you want. they'll send you a letter asking what you did with the $, and you can say you kept it.

my buddy just totaled a car he owned outright, got 8k in the mail, pocketed 4k and used the other 4 for a downpayment.

[onlooker]

I never see a credit check on my renewal dates on a credit report, because they show up. And that would kill your credit score, if a insurance company is running a credit check every 6 months.

This is the first I heard of it, and at the looks of it, they don't run my credit.

[remmy358]

I never see a credit check on my renewal dates on a credit report, because they show up. And that would kill your credit score, if a insurance company is running a credit check every 6 months.

This is the first I heard of it, and at the looks of it, they don't run my credit.

there are different types of ways to check credit. there's a "nonfinancial" type of credit check, used for companies such as insurance compnaies, utilities, cell phone providers - these do not hurt your credit score at all. they often use a service provider, so you wouldn' recognize the company. i also know that various companies have done a credit check on me and i never saw it. credit reporting agencies aren't 100% accurate, they miss a lot.

[onlooker]

there are different types of ways to check credit. there's a "nonfinancial" type of credit check, used for companies such as insurance compnaies, utilities, cell phone providers - these do not hurt your credit score at all. they often use a service provider, so you wouldn' recognize the company. i also know that various companies have done a credit check on me and i never saw it. credit reporting agencies aren't 100% accurate, they miss a lot.

Ok, wasn't sure. I thought all credit checks were on the reports. As long as it don't kill my credit score or increase my insurance premium.

[remmy358]

Ok, wasn't sure. I thought all credit checks were on the reports. As long as it don't kill my credit score or increase my insurance premium.

they should show up, but they always don't. it's similar to when you check your own credit score...it doesn't hurt you.

it will not hurt your credit score because it's not an attempt by you to take out $. it's just a company managing their risk....so of course it won't hurt your score at all.

[capitalist pig]

Allstate here in FL sucks. I had Allstate for 10 years on my house, since the day it was built. Never had a claim or anything even close to a claim.

Then Katrina hits LA and MS, so they decide to drop masses of folks like myself in FL because of what may happen. Let me tell you they will F with you over any claims you file or dont file. My home owners rates have doubled the last 3 years in a row. Im guessing but by 2010 my rates will be 5 figure sums at this rate.

I use St Farm on my motorcycles, and last summer I got backed into at a red light. About a $1000 worth of damage. St Farm says no rate increase if the other guys insurance covers it, but if he didnt have insurance and I had to use the uninsured motorist coverage I carry, I would get a rate hike. Lucky me he had insurance and it covered the damage.

BP, you better stay on top of your vehicle insurance here in FL. Dont forget that mandatory PIP is no longer a law as of Oct 2007 here in FL. Make sure you carry uninsured motorist coverage. Best of luck with the mess.

Later

[BatemanPatrickl]

Allstate here in FL sucks. I had Allstate for 10 years on my house, since the day it was built. Never had a claim or anything even close to a claim.

Then Katrina hits LA and MS, so they decide to drop masses of folks like myself in FL because of what may happen. Let me tell you they will F with you over any claims you file or dont file. My home owners rates have doubled the last 3 years in a row. Im guessing but by 2010 my rates will be 5 figure sums at this rate.

I use St Farm on my motorcycles, and last summer I got backed into at a red light. About a $1000 worth of damage. St Farm says no rate increase if the other guys insurance covers it, but if he didnt have insurance and I had to use the uninsured motorist coverage I carry, I would get a rate hike. Lucky me he had insurance and it covered the damage.

BP, you better stay on top of your vehicle insurance here in FL. Dont forget that mandatory PIP is no longer a law as of Oct 2007 here in FL. Make sure you carry uninsured motorist coverage. Best of luck with the mess.

Later

My dad always told me to get maxium coverage so you don't get screwed so I pay out the nose for it but I know it will come in handy.

I use Progressive and they have been decent but not great. This is my second accident claim in two years so I know they will fu(k me first chance they get. Sucks about your homeowner's insurance but everyone in Florida is having the same problem

[remmy358]

try mercury insurance.

[BatemanPatrickl]

try mercury insurance.

For car insurance in FL Remmy the Shark?

[remmy358]

they are available in florida.

https://quote2.mercuryinsurance.com/WebQuote/startQuote.do?submitName=startQuote&RedSt=FL

you may be able to get a better quote through an agent. my agent gets me an amazing deal. no company could close even close to it.

[remmy358]

i also think "remmy the shark" is hilarious. i've never loaned anyone $ money ever...classic name though

[BatemanPatrickl]

i also think "remmy the shark" is hilarious. i've never loaned anyone $ money ever...classic name though

As long as JJGOLD gave you that name, it will stick and I would feel blessed. He calls me "patty".

Thanks for the tip!

[remmy358]

no problem man...GL w. the insurance situation