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If the damage is close to your deductible, filing often costs more over three years of renewal pricing than it pays today. A claim history affects your rate and, in some cases, your eligibility. Report the incident, then decide with your agent whether to pursue payment.
What you need to know
Do the three-year math
Compare the net payment after deductible against the likely surcharge across your renewal cycle.
Always report injuries and third parties
Anything involving another person should go to the carrier immediately, regardless of dollar amount.
Not-at-fault claims are treated differently
Comprehensive and no-fault losses generally affect pricing less than at-fault collisions.
Common mistakes
- Carrying California's minimum limits, which a single injury accident can exhaust.
- Declining or under-buying uninsured motorist coverage.
- Leaving a household driver off the policy.
- Filing small physical-damage claims near the deductible.
- Never updating mileage, garaging address or commute after a change.
When to talk to an agent
Talk to an agent before adding a teen driver, after buying a vehicle, after an accident or ticket, or any time you are not sure whether your liability limits would survive a serious at-fault crash.
Frequently asked
This article is general information, not a policy or a promise of coverage. What your policy pays depends on its specific terms, limits and exclusions. Ask us to review your actual policy before making a decision.