Minor Car Accidents: Should You File An Auto Insurance Claim?

​After a car accident, the knee-jerk reaction is to let your insurance know of it. However, you might have considered whether to call your insurance or not during a minor car accident. After all, no one was seriously harmed, and there was only minimal car damage. In this scenario, should you file for an insurance claim or not? 

Why People Skip Filing For Claims
Some people skip filing for insurance claims after minor accidents. Among the reasons is that they try to avoid paying higher costs if they can negotiate for lower out-of-the-pocket costs. 

Others might think that the damage was too minimal and they can pay for it in cash. Though some of these reasons may seem sensible, you might still face serious consequences by not filing a claim. 

Why You Should File For a Claim
Your auto liability insurance coverage can help you pay for the injuries and damage that resulted from your driving. Moreover, it covers legal costs if you get sued.

Unexpected Repairs and Possible Lawsuits
You may be able to settle a lower out-of-the-pocket cost with the other driver. But, what if they find out the damage is more extensive and your payment is not sufficient to cover repairs? They can, unfortunately, still go after you in court.

If you file for a claim in the first place, you might not need to face an unexpected legal battle. Even if you have to, you will have no problem affording the legal fees.

Related Injuries and Damages
After your settlement with the other driver, what if they later claim related injuries and damages from the accident? After failing to report the accident soon after it happened, your insurers might deny you coverage for these additional claims.

When Not To File A Claim
You could skip insurance claims for a minor accident involving only you and minimal damage to your property. It can only work if you can pay for the repair. Or, if you have collision coverage, your insurance will chip in after you pay the deductible.

Conclusion
Contacting your insurance after a minor accident with another vehicle is still the best decision. This way, your insurance can help you pay for damages and prevent further problems in the future.

At UG Insurance Brokerage Inc., we aim to provide comprehensive insurance policies that make your life easier. We want to help you get the insurance that fits your needs. You can get more information about our products and services by calling our agency at (718) 848-7777. Get your free quote today by CLICKING HERE.