Should I file a claim or pay out of pocket?

Pay out of pocket when:

• Damage is below or close to your deductible
• You’re at fault and the rate increase will exceed the claim payout over 3-5 years
• Filing would push you above a ‘too many claims’ threshold for non-renewal

File the claim when:

• Damage significantly exceeds your deductible
• Anyone is injured (always file)
• Another party is involved (you’ll likely need to file for documentation even if you pay)
• You have accident forgiveness or your first claim is forgiven

Rough rule of thumb: if damage is less than 2x your deductible and you’re at fault, doing the math on out-of-pocket vs. rate impact is worth it. For example, a $1,200 fender bender with a $500 deductible nets you $700 — but a 3-year rate increase of $300/year wipes out that gain.

For not-at-fault accidents involving another driver, always file — the at-fault driver’s insurance should cover it, and your insurer can subrogate.