Insurance Rates Changes For Claims

Contact your Agent and ask him. They will probably raise your rates for 3 years. Have him do the math for you. That is why you have an Agent.

What is the point of having insurance if you are going to pay the claim yourself? File a claim.

I know you are trying to find the most economical solution to these collisions and the insurance company will most likely increase your premiums as it does appear as though you are a high risk driver with your RV. Agree with others that a RV Training program may help.

klueck is right on. My wife was in insurance and said you are right on.

Thanks Klueck, I am looking into the RV driving courses. You are so right about RV driving being different than a car. Driving a car and then driving an RV occasionally is confusing because a 31 foot RV has a lot more overhang and blind spots than a car. A person tends to try driving an RV like a car getting themselves in trouble because of the length difference.

More than likely somewhere in your insurance contract, it states you are supposed to report all claims. As a previous claim adjuster, I can tell you that what starts out as a $3600 claim can quickly escalate. Appraisers can't always see all the hidden damage. You would also owe the vehicle owner for loss of use of their vehicle while it's being repaired (a rental car), so you're expenses could be higher.

Both accidents would be considered at fault accidents and would likely increase your premiums. The company I worked for would not have canceled you, but many would. If it were me, I would bite the bullet and report the claim. That way you could get your damage fixed as well. Be prepared for a rate increase for the next three years.


May I suggest you consider a driving course. These RV's really don't handle like a car, as you've found out, and a RV driving course may help you out.

We bought our coach from Lazy Days Rv dealer in Tampa and took their free driver confidence course. They also offer some online driver courses FREE....and are really informative.

HERE

These online courses are really good and I'll bet you'll learn about tail swing and how to avoid it!

Good luck

I don't know whether your insurance company will raise your rates, cancel your policy, or what. The problem is that unlike the old days a report is required by law to the DMV. That information is going to be available to your insurance whether you turn the claim into them or not. Can you get away without filing the report? I couldn't tell you. If you don't and your neighbor does it might become an issue for you.

This is from the California DMV

California law requires traffic accidents on a California street/highway or private property to be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days if there was an injury, death or property damage in excess of $750. Untimely reporting could result in DMV suspending a driver license. Accidents involving vehicles not required to be registered such as an off-road vehicle (OHV), implement of husbandry, or snowmobile or occurring on a military base or occurring on the driver’s own property involving only the personal property of the driver and there was no injury or death are not reportable.

Go ahead and make the claim. You are "so cancelled" already!

Maybe it would help if you took a motorhome drivers training course, and made sure the insurance company knows your doing it. Talk to your agent and see what he says. In fact, maybe you ought to take it anyway!:R

Multiple "at fault" claims will cause your rates to increase, you may be cancelled or non-renewed and when you find another company that will insure you, you will also pay high rates to them - usually after 3 years with no further claims your rates will again reduce. In my home state, you would always have the choice of paying your own claim, however if it was reported, whether paid or not and on the record, it would have the same effect.