Decide If Filing an Auto Insurance Claim Pays Off

Cost Savings

Checklist Tasks

• Calculate repair costs vs deductible to confirm filing actually saves money.
• Get a written repair estimate from a reputable shop before notifying your insurer.
• Check your policy for rental and loss-of-use coverage to avoid unexpected expenses.
• Research if claim forgiveness applies or if premiums will likely rise.
• Ask your agent if claim is at-fault; this affects future premium increases.
• Review your accident/claim history for past five years for surcharges and non-renewal risk.
• Document all damage with timestamped photos/videos for coverage proof.
• Contact insurer anonymously to understand claim impact before officially filing.
• Check state reporting thresholds to avoid unnecessary claims or police involvement.
• Consider if the other party is likely to file a claim, which may require preemptive filing.
• Verify if your policy’s diminishing deductible would be affected by a claim.
• Estimate three-year premium hikes to see if paying out of pocket is cheaper overall.