Should I report to my auto insurance if it's just a small scratch on a rim?

Question

I bumped a parked SUV whlie trying to park my car to the designated space and it left a small scartch on the SUV's rim. The dude was cool about it but the wife insisted to get my insurance info. The wife felt it's a BIG deal and her attitude really freaked me out. (looks like she is going to have the rim replaced because of this minor scratch…) Now my point is: Is it worth to report this to my insurance and have them pay for the cost or should I just pay directly to the owner of the SUV and have them fix the small scratch? What should I do if they ask an unreasonable qoute for the fix?

Answer 1

Answer from a General Insurance Agent

Yes, It sounds like she will probably be filing a claim regardless of what her husband said.

If they offer to let you fix it out of pocket you are certainly entitled to do that if you and the other party agree. If it's unreasonable I'd just let the insurer handle it.

Sometimes women are more penny wise than men are.

Answer 2

best call your agent.  if they hit a fire hydrant on the way home & do $5,000 of damage, guess who they'll blame?  (I wouldn't, of course, but there are those who would).

if they never file a report, your agent will do nothing with the info.  unless he's a bad agent.

Answer 3

I would have your insurance pay for it.  If you pay it on your own, you may next get a call from them that the axle was bent too and then the brake caliper needs to be replaced and on and on... You have insurance, use it !

Answer 4

Research the cost to replace the rim.  If it is lesser than your deductible, don't bother with the claim.  If it is bigger than your deductible but you can still pay comfortably for it, don't bother with the claim.  If it is much higher than your deductible and you're gonna be hard-up to pay it, then file a claim.  Just realize that filing a claim will put that incident in your record which could cause your insurance rates to go up.  If in doubt, ask your agent.

In any case, you have to do your own research.  They can't just dictate to you how much the thing costs.  And you'll have to show them your sources to determine a fair price.

Good luck.