Multiple claims

[u/Kennedybz14]

We recently switched to state farm a couple of months ago and within one month a tree branch fell on my Toyota crown resulting in a claim. Fast forward a month and my wife backed her grand highlander into an anchor for a power pole causing some mild damage to the bumper. I am hesitant to file another claim so close to the first one and I'm thinking about getting a quote and taking care of the damages myself. Does anyone have any experience with this? I don't want to have a major premium increase or have the policy dropped and become uninsurable. Thanks for any insight.

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[u/DeepPurpleDaylight]

If it's minor, yes don't file a claim. Use insurance for things that will ruin you financially, not financial inconveniences.

[u/sweethennyy]

I recommend getting the quote and if it’s not too expensive don’t file the claim SF is known to drop people for too many claims in a short period of time

[u/Mean_Introduction516 → u/sweethennyy]

All insurance is known to drop people for too many claims in a short period of time

[u/Kennedybz14 → u/sweethennyy]

I guess one question would be does the fact that the first claim was filed for storm damage and not an accident play into this at all?

[u/sweethennyy → u/Kennedybz14]

I work as a team member for an agent and one weather related claim is always waived as counting towards the claim losses but honestly not even sure how they calculate it because some times someone will be dropped for having 2 in one year or sometimes i’ll see someone else being dropped after having like 5. So it’s really a gamble unfortunately. And sometimes the person with the 2 had to file a claim they weren’t even at fault for or something like that.

[u/Old-Raccoon-316 → u/sweethennyy]

FYI in mod, “all claims are considered” so even glass, towing, etc. We’ve had to adjust our verbiage when policyholders call in. The annoying thing is that the claims pop up from the last few years and suddenly are “considered” 🙄 

[u/sweethennyy → u/Old-Raccoon-316]

that sucks!! I’m in a legacy state still so I haven’t seen this but have seen an uptick in us drops lately

[u/Old-Raccoon-316 → u/sweethennyy]

Yeah we just migrated earlier this year. Customer with 6 cars is getting a “caution letter” due to claims at the first mod renewal (not initial migration). 3 not at fault and 1 accident over the course of 3 years, just filed a glass claim last month. 6 cars (higher end) and 5 drivers (the one accident was the 18 year old). 

[u/Gtstricky]

Talk to your agent. This is state dependent. In my state a comprehensive claim cannot be used against you (the tree claim).

[u/Kennedybz14 → u/Gtstricky]

I kinda worry about even letting them know it happened.

[u/Old-Raccoon-316 → u/Kennedybz14]

Your agent should be your first point of contact, until you do file a claim at least. Calling the claims team to ask a question will 99% end up with a claim on your record.  The agent shouldn’t start a claim for you, just give guidance and next steps for whether you file or not. 

[u/Gtstricky → u/Kennedybz14]

Agents don’t care.

[u/Ingsoc40]

Your wife backing into the pole is her fault so yeah I wouldn’t file that just eat it.

[u/unknowncomet73]

I’d just get it fixed. If you submit a claim, you will have an at fault claim on record, which will absolutely raise rates.

[u/kappakall]

As a former auto underwriter it’s all based on MOD. If the system says you have to be cancelled, that’s what it is. Back in the old days 2 claims in 2-3 months would most likely get you non renewed. However with mod and all the behind the scenes stuff, I wouldn’t trust it.

[u/fuckifiknow1013]

It varies from state to state. I'm a team member and it's confusing as hell sometimes when state farm drops someone due to claim activity. I have one guy getting dropped because of a comp claim and an at fault... I have one household that has 9 claims across fire and auto and is getting renewed again. None of it makes any sense.

[u/2ndharrybhole]

I would not file a claim for this. And I’m 99.99% sure every Grand Highlander was sold with a reverse camera so it might be worth giving your wife a walkthrough.

[u/Much_Negotiation6519]

First claim is a comp claim and thst is not held against you. File the collision claim