Insurance Worry Hell - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Plan9 · 06-02-2007, 08:32 PM

So, uh... my dumb ass got into a fender bender and was extremely disappointed: Their vehicle wasn't damaged in so much as it looked like an angry child kicked a soccer ball at the rear hatch while my front bumper was gnarled up worse than Flava Flav's teeth after a run-in with Mike Tyson's money makers. I thought I could have at least wrecked something pricey.

The joke is all on me, apparently. Repair bills and the insurance nightmare.

QUESTION: How much can I expect my insurance premium to skyrocket for my first infraction on their holy "you give us money for years and we do nothing except charge you more" system?

Let's assume that I'm 25+, have a clean driving record, and excellent credit.

I've "God-oogle'd" this topic and come up with very little in witty rhetoric.

The_Jazz · 06-03-2007, 09:33 AM

Clearly, you don't understand the concept of insurance. That's fine, but the system actually works much better than I think you appreciate.

To directly answer your question, it's unanswerable. Even knowing what zip code you live in, what you drive, what insurance carrier and how what the repair bills are expected to be, I couldn't give you any definitive answer. I'd really have to look at your actual insurance policy to see the values and coverages you have to give you any more than an educated guess. However, my best guess is that you're looking at a 10-30% increase in whatever you're paying now.

By the way, ever single state has a method that allows you to take on the risk of driving a car yourself (self-insure). It's typcially complicated and requires a lot of money posted in a bond that's not refundable so long as you choose to self-insure (doesn't earn interest either), but if you have $20,000 or so sitting around, you should investigate it. Then again, if you have that much money sitting around, I would expect that you're educated enough about the system to realize that there's no other industry that will give you $50,000 if you pay them $500.

Plan9 · 06-03-2007, 12:33 PM

Thanks, chief. I plead ignorance. (throws up bullshit flag) I found the lowest rate. I pay the bill. They promise the goods. Never had to use it before. Using it now to fix a bumper that costs $385.

I wish I was paying them $500, my deductible is $1000 to keep the $1800 premium as low as it is... It's $1800 a year for a single vehicle, 25+ years old, no previous incidents. Go figure.

(misses the lack of vehicles in the military)

06-02-2007, 08:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	Insurance Worry Hell So, uh... my dumb ass got into a fender bender and was extremely disappointed: Their vehicle wasn't damaged in so much as it looked like an angry child kicked a soccer ball at the rear hatch while my front bumper was gnarled up worse than Flava Flav's teeth after a run-in with Mike Tyson's money makers. I thought I could have at least wrecked something pricey. The joke is all on me, apparently. Repair bills and the insurance nightmare. QUESTION: How much can I expect my insurance premium to skyrocket for my first infraction on their holy "you give us money for years and we do nothing except charge you more" system? Let's assume that I'm 25+, have a clean driving record, and excellent credit. I've "God-oogle'd" this topic and come up with very little in witty rhetoric. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

06-03-2007, 09:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	Clearly, you don't understand the concept of insurance. That's fine, but the system actually works much better than I think you appreciate. To directly answer your question, it's unanswerable. Even knowing what zip code you live in, what you drive, what insurance carrier and how what the repair bills are expected to be, I couldn't give you any definitive answer. I'd really have to look at your actual insurance policy to see the values and coverages you have to give you any more than an educated guess. However, my best guess is that you're looking at a 10-30% increase in whatever you're paying now. By the way, ever single state has a method that allows you to take on the risk of driving a car yourself (self-insure). It's typcially complicated and requires a lot of money posted in a bond that's not refundable so long as you choose to self-insure (doesn't earn interest either), but if you have $20,000 or so sitting around, you should investigate it. Then again, if you have that much money sitting around, I would expect that you're educated enough about the system to realize that there's no other industry that will give you $50,000 if you pay them $500. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

06-03-2007, 12:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	Thanks, chief. I plead ignorance. (throws up bullshit flag) I found the lowest rate. I pay the bill. They promise the goods. Never had to use it before. Using it now to fix a bumper that costs $385. I wish I was paying them $500, my deductible is $1000 to keep the $1800 premium as low as it is... It's $1800 a year for a single vehicle, 25+ years old, no previous incidents. Go figure. (misses the lack of vehicles in the military) __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."