So I was involved in an at fault car door vs another parked car accident.
The repair bill has come through as $1500.
The excess on the insurance is $1000.
Am I right to be concerned that my premiums will escalate significantly if I make a claim?
What would you do?
Thanks
I'm pretty sure I used to have no claim for life. On the last renewal they informed me the no claim discount was being discontinued so I don't think it's a thing anymore.
First…
No claim for life
Then…
no claim discount is being discontinued
So…
Did you die?
OP obviously hasnt got a clue.
Insurance companies do not strip away NCD without a reason.
Im with Virgin and have NCD for life.
But its no longer available to new customers.
Hence its pointless advising OP anything if even they dont know
OP probably with budget direct. I got the same on the renewal. Think they just takes years no claims which is basically same as NCD but we all know it is a new devaluation to make more money.
It seems that OP has not included the cost of repair to thier own vehicle as $1500 cannot cover the cost of repairs to 2 vehicles.
Its also depends on the amount OPs premium (undisclosed) and if they have any NCD as you have stated.
Typically a claim will result in loss of 20% NCD
$1500 cannot cover the cost of repairs to 2 vehicles
Why not? If the car door hits another from the edge, it is possivle the at fault oarty just has a minor chip in paint. Some dent repair, filler to smooth and then paint might only be $1500
how much is the repair for the other car
The repair bill has come through as $1500
I’m going to guess… $1500?
Reading comprehension makes sense. Cheers
Maybe it’s only $1500 for OP car
Think the damage bill is for the other vehicle from this comment.
I'd wager it's some kind of walking clock.
Tell the other party you'd prefer to cover the cost. But enquire as to whether they have choice of repairer and care about the quality of the repair. If they're not bothered, ask them to get a second quote. Only claim on your insurance if you can't cash flow the extra ~$500.
I don't have any contact with the other party. It has gone through their insurance.
Interestingly AAMI contacted me in the beginning at which time I admitted fault and said to keep me know the repair cost.
Next thing I know I get a debt collector letter stating 'final notice' with yesterdays date as the due by date…
When was the accident?
October/November 2024. Can't remember exactly.
I had a letter from insurance about 4-6 weeks after the incident and nothing what until today.
@cheaplee: Sounds like it was the first notice, regardless of what fear inducing title they put on the letter to scare you into giving them money. Can they prove they sent you earlier notices?
I would contact AAMI and ask them what the status of the insurance claim is as you have not heard back from them since it happened a couple of months ago.
It has gone through their insurance.
I get a debt collector letter
Ask for a breakdown of costs and post it here. If it all checks out, I'd offer them $1000 to close out the matter. There is a high likelihood they will accept it to avoid extending the timeline & decreasing their recoverability.
If it was the other party directly, they hadn't claimed yet, and the $1500 was the quoted, I'd probably pay the $1500 and move on.
100% ask to query the repair costs, which will cause them a delay and extra staff time, they will offer you a reduced bill, especially with a minor repair.
I at least thank you for your honesty. Seems these days 99% drive off without leaving their details.
Seems these days 99% drive off without leaving their details.
Most likely because the people don't have insurance.
car door vs another parked car
1500 for that ? how big is that ding—on a rari ?
I had a ding in the back on my car a year or so ago, about the size of a thumb print and when I got it quoted at a “personal repair” quote level, it was $1,400, so it’s totally understandable that a door dent fixed through a panel shop would be around $1,500.
Labour costs are sky high these days
Time will come Chinese panel beaters would remotely beat domestic ones through e.g. something like AliExpress ship-fix-return model so $1500 door ding would cost a Jo/e in AU for around 250 bucks. It is a matter of time i.e. when China replaces the US dominance which is not far away.
Labour costs
Just another way to saying low productivity.
Most of these insurance repairs can actually be fixed for $150-300 on-site as a mobile repair job. The panel shops inflate it if it's an insurance job.
nice to know. would that be the going price for a bodyline /crease repair or ?
You can ask for a breakdown of the costs and photos of the damage and take it to a panel beater. They can tell you if the $1500 cost is reasonable or if it’s worth haggling them down.
Otherwise just pay the $1500 and be done with it, rather than making a claim
Run a dummy quote through the system with one claim vs no claims.
You will probably find that the increase in premiums isnt that much, usually its under 20% and sometimes other insurers will offer a cheaper price to get your business.
However keep in mind that the 20% increase will take a few years to reduce back. So $200 next time, then $150, then $100 etc - for $500 its going to be line ball.
I had my insurance changed after a no-fault accident and had no effect on the quote. Then again after an at fault minor accident and tm all my premium quotes increased by 30-50%. Maybe you were lucky
In my sample size of one, no, it didn't increase premiums.
If you aren't intending to make claims under $1500 you should probably increase your excess to $1500, likely a greater saving than not making a claim.
What if you change insurer? The question to "yes, at fault claim on the last 3 years" will increase the quote drastically.
Not for me it didn't, no change to the online quotes anyway. Probably varies substantial based on your age and previous history and type of claim.
Nope. Clean history and not in the high risk category.
All insurance providers use different model and weighting of such question can vary significantly.
@Flutterby: All I know is there was no increase for me with several quotes. Insurers work in mysterious ways.
Thanks for the input OzB.
I think I'll just pay it and probably increase excess as suggested, so at least I'll get some back that way.
So many ASSumptions…
So few Facts.
Thats just how the internet works.
Unfortunately too often too true.
Yes they will if you are the at fault party. You have to work out if they are going to rise by more than $500 difference they are seeking.
Also, what does your PDS say? Do you have a “NCD protection” on your policy? This may affect it.
$1500, I would just eat the extra $500 and save that on not having my insurance go up $1000 next year.