Does anyone have a lot of knowledge about car insurance?

Ok, long story short, my husband accidentally crashed into someone's garage door while parking in their driveway causing 1500 dollars worth of damage. Is it my collision coverage that would pay for the repairs or comprehensive? I'm assuming it's collision. Looking at the line item charges for my policy I show coverage for property damage liability and it doesn't list a deductible. There is a deductible listed under my collision coverage and it's $1000 dollars. Since my husband has his driving record checked frequently for work he doesn't want this on his record. Should we just pay the full cost or claim it on the insurance? If we use the insurance, will I be out the 1,000 deductible? I don't want to call the insurance until I know 100% that we are going to file a claim.

If you can swing the 1500 fairly easy, I'd pay it, if you have to pay the thou deductible I think it's a no brainer to pay it. Any blemishes on auto ins. sucks they, really hold it against you(state farm does anyway and I think it holds true for all major carriers).

J

Collision insurance applies. If you use it, you get to pay the $1,000 deductible, so making a claim would save $500.

Best course for all but the worst drivers is to make a claim, people fear insurance rate increases far more than they should, for good drivers without a lot of claims in their history any rate increase is almost always less than the amount paid by the insurer.

Thanks for your help. I'm so thrilled to get stuck with a bill for $1,000. That's like 2 months of lunch lady pay. Good thing my husbands job pays better.

Offer the garage owner $500 and see if they will claim it on their home owners ins.

I agree. Offer to pay the home owner's deductible and see if they'll claim it on their home owner's.

On the other hand, if the damage is $1500 and your deductible is $1000, just pay the $1500 out of pocket instead of making a claim. Not worth worrying about what the insurance company will increase your rates to make a claim and get a check for $500.

If you aren't making a claim on your vehicle for damage to it, your property damage coverage would cover the garage repair. If you are not collecting for damages to your vehicle, then you would not be out a deductible. But if the other party files a claim under their homeowners, then their insurance company will probably file a subrogation claim against your company. That is the way it would work in Texas, not sure about where you live.

To clarify, is the damage to the garage door, the vehicle or combination of both?

Nothing to do with cars - when my tree fell and damaged my neighbours property, I made an insurance claim and was told that my neighbour was covered under his own insurance but not under mine. We are friends so I paid his deductable and he claimed. His company did not make a claim against me. Don't know if that helps - but it is what happened in my claim.

You should be changing your insurance carrier every couple of years at least. A rate increase should not be a fear. Having an independent agent is your best bet, then you just call up your agent and they will advise you on your best (cheapest) course of action.