AAA Michigan, Will They Raise My Rates for a $500 Mini-tort Claim

[mfracassa]

Michigan: Was in a fender bender, my fault, zero damage to my vehicle, but the other person had over $500 in damage (my bumper was higher then theirs.) No police called, no ticket issued, but the other person did end up filing a police report. The other persons insurance claims called me and said I can either pay the $500 mini-tort out of pocket or make a claim with my insurance (AAA Michigan.) I have spotless record and all the no-claims, no tickets, no accidents discounts. My question is, do I let AAA pay out the $500 mini-tort or should i pay it myself? Does anyone have experience to know if AAA will raise my premiums in this case? And if so would I end up paying more than $500 in the long run?

Thanks

Matt

 

[Norwayguy]

Re: AAA Michigan, Will They Raise My Rates for a $500 Mini-tort C

Michigan: Was in a fender bender, my fault, zero damage to my vehicle, but the other person had over $500 in damage (my bumper was higher then theirs.) No police called, no ticket issued, but the other person did end up filing a police report. The other persons insurance claims called me and said I can either pay the $500 mini-tort out of pocket or make a claim with my insurance (AAA Michigan.) I have spotless record and all the no-claims, no tickets, no accidents discounts. My question is, do I let AAA pay out the $500 mini-tort or should i pay it myself? Does anyone have experience to know if AAA will raise my premiums in this case? And if so would I end up paying more than $500 in the long run?

Thanks

Matt

Have you asked your agent?

 

[Josh]

Re: AAA Michigan, Will They Raise My Rates for a $500 Mini-tort C

Usually there is a threshold and it is around $1,000, but each state is different. I'd call AAA and ask them. Odds are this is going to impact your rates, but even at that, this mini-tort thing is an oddity.

Any Michigan P&C agents that can shed some light on this?

 

[djs]

Re: AAA Michigan, Will They Raise My Rates for a $500 Mini-tort C

You'll have to ask someone on Michigan to be sure since the answer will vary by state. In CA, if I understand your description and if the damage is only $500 and if there were no injuries, then it would not impact your rates even if your carrier paid the claim.

Michigan works different though. I don't know the rules there. Call your agent and ask them about it. Your insurance company likely already knows about it anyway.

Dan

 

[BlockO]

Re: AAA Michigan, Will They Raise My Rates for a $500 Mini-tort C

Michigan is definitely a whacky state when it comes to auto insurance.

there are 3 different types of collision coverage: standard, broad & limited. sounds like the person you hit had the standard, and thus has an out of pocket expense for the deductible....

bottom line: there is something on your policy called Limited Property Damage (a.k.a. Mini-Tort) option, which pays that $500 liability for you.

did you select "YES" for that option? check your policy. if so, use that coverage to pay your claim instead of paying out of pocket. that's what it was designed for.

if you rejected that coverage, you're going to be disgusted when you find out how cheap it is (usually less than a dollar/month)!

I understand you want to keep your spotless record, but I'm afraid that's a lost cause. even if you pay out of pocket, it's still likely gonna be on your clue report regardless of whether or not the DMV finds out about it.

I would go ahead and file the mini-tort option with AAA (if you have it) and then move on. your rates will probably go up but only minimally.

 

[Sales71]

Re: AAA Michigan, Will They Raise My Rates for a $500 Mini-tort C

Your first call should be to your agent. Spotless driving record...not to worry its just an accident and those typeof things happen.

 

[Salzgal]

I'm licensed in Michigan and any claim you make they will have to determine who was at fault so if you're insurance is paying their mini-tort, that $500 claim will be considered an at-fault accident for 5 years. And yes, AAA will raise your rates for that period of time. If a police report wasn't made then pay it out of pocket, if the other guy made a claim and have his insurance company your insurance information you will already have the at fault accident on your record, in that case let AAA pay for it.

 

[AllenChicago]

My Dad's AAA Michigan premium just went up to $180 a month for a 1996 Buick Regal that no longer has collision/comprehensive! I called and they told me that his Auto Insurance Rating was a 5. (9 is the best possible) He had a $1,700 accident claim in 2008 and AAA is still holding it against him. My Dad is moving over to Farmers, eff 10/1/13. Only $71 a month there for the same coverage.
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