$7268 Deer Collision Not my Fault, but what Damage Does It Do to my Future Insurance Rates?

[Oktober]

Several years ago, I was driving home. When I entered my neighborhood street, I was doing about 20mph and a big deer jumped out from the bushes. I had no way of stopping in time and ran into the deer.

The damage was not that extensive at first glance. Busted headlight and signal lights, dented grille, dented hood, scratched bumper. I figured it was a couple thousand bucks at most. I was almost right.

However, it turned out that ONE replacement headlight cost over $3700 because it was was a HID headlight. $3700 was what the insurance company paid, but my dealer's parts dept told me that it would have been $4500 if I was a walk-up customer.

I filed a claim and it was repaired. I distinctly remember the insurance agent telling me that it was a no-fault accident involving animals on the road. My rates did not go up during the next few years and I even kept my accident forgiveness all this time.

However, I was cleaning up my filing cabinet today and saw the bill that the bodyshop submitted to the insurance company. Apparently the insurance company had to cut a check for $7268 to the dealership's bodyshop! I dont' know if this was because the bodyshop was owned/operated by the new car dealership and only work on that brand exclusively. (i.e. they do not work on any other brand of vehicles) Parts were around $4000 and labor and other misc fees account for the rest of the $7268. The one HID headlight accounted for $3700 of the $4000 parts cost.

How can such a big claim really not hurt my insurance rates? (even if it's a no-fault animal collision?)

 

[Rochambeau]

Depending on what state you are in, it may be law.

Or, it might just be your company's policy, after all, it wasn't your fault.

Contrary to popular opinion, insurance companies aren't all evil, they just want to charge a rate that properly reflects the risk they are taking. They understand that just because you hit a suicidal deer, that doesn't mean you are more likely to encounter another deer with a death wish.

 

[djs]

Hitting a deer is a comprehensive claim, not a collision claim. No fault assigned to the driver.

In most situations, this makes it a not rated event, though with some policies you might lose a small discount (such as claims free). One claim like this isn't a problem, but with multiple comp claims, some carriers will non-renew the policy.

Just the way it works.

Dan

 

[Milkman1265]

What about the under 5000 dollar rule, his claim is over 5000, so it shows up on his comp claims right? Or this only applies at fault?

 

[djs]

Not sure of any under 5000 rule, I see tow claims for $65, broken windows, whatever. Could be a state by state thing. Doesn't matter.

I'm sure some carriers look at amount of comp claims and may have an issue. $ amount is one thing, frequency is another. I've never had one worry about the $$$, though I have had declines to issue due to frequency of claims.

 

[LGilmore]

Don't feel bad. I put a chip in a person's bumper that a quarter could cover on a older model car. No dent, no real damage, but it became an insurance claim.... A couple bucks shy of a $1000. Couldn't believe it. but they didn't raise my rates or cancel me.

It is amazing what can be charged for auto repairs these days.

 

[Norwayguy]

I am sorry.....What is the real question here....The accident was several years ago and you stated your rates did not go up. Your agent at the time tells you it will not affect you and it didn't why are you questioning it now?