Yes boys and girls, you REALLY need to carry a spare...

It does not count as a claim, however it is kept in their system.

Years ago a section of fence came down. I called the insurance company and due to it being just 4 ft of fence, it was not worth claiming. The rep informed me that if I filed a claim later for the fence, they would deny it - because I had informed them that the fence was damaged.

It won't happen every time, but it does happen.