Community Chat

[1Professor]

@CelticCrafter 

Yes, you are always free to cheat the agreement.

You are free to hide accidents that you agreed you would report.

As to the filing of police reports, I am only talking about the written signed POLICY with a car insurance company and KEEPING PEOPLE FROM GETTING CANCELLED. 

You report it to the insurance company.

How you repair it is a separate issue.

All insurance (car, home, life) is about RISK.

Companies assess the risk.

The include in their policies the information they want to assess that risk.

[Sage04]

@CelticCrafter  you got to it first. No way would I report anything that occurs in my driveway or garage.

Within my family we all drive each others vehicles. We don't live in the same household and if something does happen, no problem. The insurance rates would of course increase and we all know that.

[Sage04]

@1Professor  I'm backing out of my driveway my neighbor is doing the same and hits me. The neighbor promises to fix my vehicle and he does. Should i still report it to the Insurance Company?

Do you know that some Police Officers would tell both Parties to work it out if it's nothing major? Yes!!

[1Professor]

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@Sage04 wrote:

@1Professor  I'm backing out of my driveway my neighbor is doing the same and hits me. The neighbor promises to fix my vehicle and he does. Should i still report it to the Insurance Company?

Do you know that some Police Officers would tell both Parties to work it out if it's nothing major? Yes!!

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@Sage04 

I am not arguing about what people choose to do.

I am pointing out that many people do not realize what they agreed to in their insurance policy. They just didn't know.

People violate traffic signs. People speed over the limit. People drive after drinking. Choices.

However, having car insurance is important.

If people realize they agreed to report accidents and repairs, then don't, they are accountable.

If people thought it was okay not to report it, that is out of ignorance (not reading the policy or not being the person in the family who actually took the policy out).

People are offering examples here of one-time-small-incidents.

In fact, however, there are people who REGULARLY have accidents, regularly repair without reporting, and are actually a greater risk to insurance companies. 

That's all.

[NicksmomESQ]

 These days even fender benders can cost thousands to repair. As a former insurance claims supervisor I've seen & heard it all. I know for a fact that people don't always  report accidents to their insurance companies. 

 Many times it works out fine. The parties get " together" & work it out.I've also seen where the repair cost estimate is very high & the responsible party backs away.At that time the insurance company is notified. However, it's beyond 30 days & the claim gets denied. Now the insured has to hire an attorney to fight both the insurance company for coverage & the other driver who won't pay him.$$$$ 

 Another scenario is that the two parties work it out, shake hands & walk away. Low & behold a year or two later, someone decides they have an injury, that they relate back to the car accident. They go out & get an attorney & file a lawsuit. The insurance carrier is called upon to defend & indemnify their insured. Except there's a problem. The accident wasn't reported in a timely manner. The claim gets denied & once again the insured is responsible for his defense & settlement. This can get very expensive.

[CelticCrafter]

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@1Professor wrote:

@CelticCrafter 

Yes, you are always free to cheat the agreement.

You are free to hide accidents that you agreed you would report.

As to the filing of police reports, I am only talking about the written signed POLICY with a car insurance company and KEEPING PEOPLE FROM GETTING CANCELLED. 

You report it to the insurance company.

How you repair it is a separate issue.

All insurance (car, home, life) is about RISK.

Companies assess the risk.

The include in their policies the information they want to assess that risk.

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@1Professor  Cheat the agreement, hide an accident?  That's laughable.  Show me in a policy where it states that accidents/incidents MUST be reported.

Policy terms and conditions?  An endorsement?

An accident involving bodily injury or damage to property belonging to another yes, otherwise no.

[Imaoldhippie]

All insurance is a necessary evil.

[Group 5 minus 1]

Just a little info. In our state (MI) we have "no fault". That means your ins pays no matter who is at fault.There are some exclusions. I just wanted to add this info-don't even know why.

[Group 5 minus 1]

An ins company made an error (not auto) and owed us money. It took from April till the end of July to get it settled.

[NicksmomESQ]

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@Group 5 minus 1 wrote:

Just a little info. In our state (MI) we have "no fault". That means your ins pays no matter who is at fault.There are some exclusions. I just wanted to add this info-don't even know why.

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@Group 5 minus 1  No Fault refers to bodily injuries. It means that if you are injured in a car accident your insurance carrier will pay for your medical care regardless of whose fault the accident is. It doesn't refer to physical damage to your automobile which you have 1st party coverage for with a deductible, or a claim/lawsuit you file for personal injuries,against the other party. 

 If you go first party for damage to your automobile. Your carrier will pay for the repairs minus your deductible & then depending on your degree of responsibility & laws in your state, may attempt to recoup their money from the other party.