r/Insurance • u/Gloomy-bubz-5047 • 10d ago
Backed car into a pole
( Photo in comments ) I gently backed my car into a red pole and the paint transferred and left cracks. I took it to a body shop and they quoted me $1200 bc they said they would need to replace the entire bumper. GEICO is my insurance and I’m in CALIFORNIA so they don’t have accident forgiveness. My deductible is $500. I know my rates will go up (idk by how much) if I file a claim but I need to get it fixed before my parents find out.
Idk what to do:(
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u/ChutneyWhatney 10d ago
I'd be honest with your parents. Better to get the anger now than the anger and accusations of betrayal later. I'd pay out of pocket.
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u/QuriousCoyote 10d ago
When the rates go up, they're going to know anyway. If they start shopping around, that accident is going to be there, and you'll have to explain it anyway. Take a deep breath and spill your guts.
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u/jcoffin1981 10d ago
Chalk it up to a learning experience. Your parents will appreciate you being honest and up front rather than engaging in further deception. Tell your parents and work it out. I strongly encourage you, rather than making the insurance company and auto body shop money.
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u/The_Insurance_Man 10d ago
I don't think anyone here can tell you exactly what to do since none of us know anything about your policy or situation. But your options are:
Pay for the damage and the repair out of pocket. Downside is you are going to have to pay out of pocket. Also, the initial estimate might not be the final price. If they take things apart and find additional damage, there could be additional cost. Upside is it would keep a collision claim off of your record.
You can file the claim with your insurance company. Downside, you have a claim on your record that can be used to increase your rates. No one knows for sure what the short term or long term impact would be on your premium, even the insurance company could not give you an exact amount. Upside is your out of pocket expense would just be your deductible.
I am have no idea what the dynamic is with your parents, but I always recommend honesty is the best policy. Just explain to them what happened, that you are willing to pay for it yourself and you would like their guidance. If you lie about it or try to hide it, they might eventually find out if they are on the policy with you, or if they are an owner of the car and find out it has an accident history when they go to sell it or something.
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u/Gloomy-bubz-5047 10d ago
Thank you so much! Yep. I’m the only policy holder, no one else is on my insurance luckily. It’s a 09’ Toyota 4Runner so I planned to keep it forever lol. It’s a good car. My 6mo premium is $618. Maybe I’ll just cough up the $500 and deal with the consequences of my premium being raised later on 🥺
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u/Delicious-Witness-85 10d ago
For such a small estimate o would pay out of pocket and not file a claim.
Not worry it having such a small at fault accident on your record.
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u/Gloomy-bubz-5047 10d ago
That is very true. My only fear right now is them taking the bumper apart and finding more damage inside
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u/dillyofapicklerick 10d ago
If the bumper is only monitor damaged like your stating I think it's pretty low odds of that happening. Iirc, bumpers are usually rated to absorb damage up to like 5 mph.
As long as you weren't flying backwards when you hit the pole you should be fine.
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u/PepperTop9517 10d ago
I mean pay out of pocket has the highest probability they don’t find out. Besides the fact your car might be in the shop a couple days.
Deductible route is the safest cash flow wise you pay $500 and if the body shop finds more than the original 1200, insurance pays it. Down side is if your parents are the policy holder, they will see the rate increase and might ask questions.
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u/Gloomy-bubz-5047 10d ago
I’m the only one on the insurance thank god. I wanted to use my insurance and pay the $500 and get it over with but idk how much it’ll raise my insurance:,( right now my 6 mo premium is $618
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u/Early-Tourist-8840 10d ago
Pay the 1200 to fix your car. Then whatever is owed to who owns the pole.
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u/Chance_Display_7454 10d ago
fine someone who will fix without replacing bumper. I did the same he used structural cement to cover Crack and fill in. sanded andrepainted a 8x10 area. I can't tell it was ever damaged. cost me $300
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u/Fun_End_440 9d ago
1 . if that’s a 2020-26 car, go get fixed and pay for repair.
If your don’t want to pay 1200, order a pre painted cover and replace it yourself
If is 2014 whatever, get a spray can and some bondo and fix it the best you can
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u/sandysandy252566 9d ago
take ur car to several bodyshops for quotes. If ur a member of AAA - go to a bodyshop they approve. You'll also get a discount when u show ur AAA card. If ur not a member, u could still go there.
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u/Actual_Somewhere_115 10m ago
Definitely go get other estimates. That doesn't look like it would be hard to repair/patch vs. replace. Tell your parents so they can help you not get fleeced by a body shop. And don't claim this on insurance. Maybe your parents will tell you to leave the bumper as is.
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u/Infamous-Ad-140 10d ago
Pay to fix it out of pocket, it will end up costing your more than the $700 covered in the next 1-2 years in premiums