Insurance quandary

[benpineapple]

As I understand it, any claim that you file can effect your rates. It's not guaranteed to, and its not guaranteed not to effect the rates. Recently went through something similar, where my insurance provider (State Farm) essentially told me they couldn't tell me with certainty whether or not my rates would be effected by the claim. I was dealing with a non-ticketed, property damage claim (wife hit a guardrail on black ice, wasn't given a ticket or anything, state pursued $450 worth of damage to guardrail).

That was 2 months ago, and my policy did indeed end up being effected. It went up by something like $75/year on her car, and will stay that way for the next 3 years until this goes away and she gets her safe driver discount back. $225 over 3 years still beats $450 out of pocket, especially after $600 in repairs to her car.

My situation is different than yours for sure, but both involve claims where there wasn't a ticket, and no one was considered "at-fault". None-the-less, insurance could still be effected. You should talk with Allstate, and get a worst case scenario kind of impact that having them declare it totaled could have on your rates. Having them declare it totaled, then buying it back is the way to go. I don't think the title status will change to salvage title.

[oragex]

Not everyone taste, but some good duct tape around the sunroof should work for a winter beater, I've seen it a few times
Plus a feet kick from inside on both sides of the middle roof beam.

[MadeInJapan]

My son's 850 was "totalled" several times... LOL. We bought it for a grand, insurance company totalled it and gave it back to us with a $2000 check, we fixed it for $500....didn't raise our rates. It finally died with a burnt valve a few months ago, but it was money well spent on that car that got my son around for 7-8 years.

[JimBee]

Good discussion. I asked my Allstate agent about a rate ding since I've had a couple of glass repairs, both due to vandalism, which were covered at no cost to me. Both claims were processed quickly and with no hints of disgust, which I kind of expected on the second one. Considering those claims, my agent didn't think the roof claim would affect my rates. I do, however, have $500 deductible and the car would likely be totaled and it's not really worth more than that, so I might try to bump the dent back out myself or see if the body shop can do some unconventional magic on it for a couple hundred dollars. It has been stormy here, so I've got it covered with plastic. I need to do something, so will be looking into it over the next few days as the weather clears.

[JDS60R]

Take to a PDR shop and get an estimate- good shops love a challenge

PDR= Paintless Dent removal

[FLXC90]

Is there a vocational auto body program nearby? They may want to tackle something like that, plus it benefits some future workers.

[matthew1]

Jim, what was the outcome? I'm writing a MVS home page post about this as I type, to go live in a few minutes. So this thread will be getting more attention in the next few days. Just wondering (as many are I'm sure) what steps you took, which path you followed. Thanks!

[matthew1]

Oh, and do you have any photos?

[polskamafia mjl]

Mom doesn't need this bill in her life right now.

Completely agree.