Anyone here file Collector Car Insurance Claim? What was the experience and outcome?

[bmw m3 s50]

So driving home at night, I hit some truck tire debris that blended perfectly in with the freshly paved asphalt road. It ended up cracking my front lip, cracking the fender liner / belly pan and then while passing under the car damaging my CSL diffuser. I have to now pick up a new lip, fender liner, belly pan, CSL diffuser, install and paint. I am debating on filing a claim because the estimate repair amount will probably be in the $3k-$4.5k range when finished.

This is kinda on the limit of: if I should file a claim or just pay it. I am concerned that by filing a claim will either cause my collector car insurance to drop me or significantly raise rates. I have American Collector Insurance, and have had them for close to 5 years with no claims ever filed. This would be my first. I am also concerned if I file this claim, then god-forbid, have to file another claim in the future for something more serious then I would run into problems with filing another claim or being dropped.

Has anyone here been in this type of situation?

Anyone ever file a claim with American Collectors Insurance?

What are the thoughts on the best move here: pay it or file a claim?

[repoman89]

This sounds like the perfect claim to make and not have it result in any adverse consequences. Driving and hit invisible road debris, only $4k in damage — the insurance is truly useless if they can’t even cover that without dropping you. Might as well have Geico if they do.

That said, keeping the accident off Carfax by paying it yourself is also worth something. Don’t even have to disclose it when you sell because it’s just aftermarket parts damaged — obviously they’re painted and non-original.

[bmw m3 s50]

This sounds like the perfect claim to make and not have it result in any adverse consequences. Driving and hit invisible road debris, only $4k in damage — the insurance is truly useless if they can’t even cover that without dropping you. Might as well have Geico if they do.

That said, keeping the accident off Carfax by paying it yourself is also worth something. Don’t even have to disclose it when you sell because it’s just aftermarket parts damaged — obviously they’re painted and non-original.

I agree with you, if this was normal car insurance. What worries me that this is collector insurance which makes it a different animal. I have read some horror stories when it filing claims on collector insurance policies.

I don't think that CarFax will go off of the insurance claim but rather the police report filed. There definitely was a police report filed because like 8-9 cars hit the debris causing a variety of damages. Some had flat tires, one car had the bumper ripped off and appeared to have coolant leaking. The State Police ended up shutting down the road to have road workers walk the entire road with spot lights clearing a ton of truck tire debris. Being that it seems like a major event, it may end up on the CarFax regardless if I don't file a claim even though I drove the car home and had only cosmetic damage.

[SQ13]

Not with American Collectors, but my car was hit back in March. My insurance and especially the field inspector were super helpful and covered the $15k repair estimate. I totally expect them to drop me when my coverage expires though.

[TexaZ3]

Why have it if you afraid to file a claim? I don't get it.
I have Hagerty, and filed a claim once for a chipped windshield. I have zero deductible, and I thought I'd call and see if they would fix the chip for free, like a lot of regular insurances do for glass claims.
Instead, they said to just go ahead and replace the windshield with brand new genuine part and forget about it. Paid for the whole thing and didn't raise my premium one cent.

[Nate047]

Why have it if you afraid to file a claim? I don't get it.
I have Hagerty, and filed a claim once for a chipped windshield. I have zero deductible, and I thought I'd call and see if they would fix the chip for free, like a lot of regular insurances do for glass claims.
Instead, they said to just go ahead and replace the windshield with brand new genuine part and forget about it. Paid for the whole thing and didn't raise my premium one cent.

Do you have all of your cars under the same policy with zero deductible? If so, there’s a good chance you’re getting some sort of above and beyond treatment.

That being said, a not at fault claim like the one in question shouldn’t matter anyway. I would just go through insurance, CarFax be damned, just document the issue thoroughly for inquiring minds if/when you decide to sell the car later.

[TexaZ3]

Do you have all of your cars under the same policy with zero deductible? If so, there’s a good chance you’re getting some sort of above and beyond treatment.

That being said, a not at fault claim like the one in question shouldn’t matter anyway. I would just go through insurance, CarFax be damned, just document the issue thoroughly for inquiring minds if/when you decide to sell the car later.

Yeah, I have 8 cars on that policy, all zero deductible. Doubt there any special treatments, aside from potentially lower premiums due to multiple cars.

[bmw m3 s50]

Not with American Collectors, but my car was hit back in March. My insurance and especially the field inspector were super helpful and covered the $15k repair estimate. I totally expect them to drop me when my coverage expires though.

Being dropped is what worries me.

[bmw m3 s50]

Why have it if you afraid to file a claim? I don't get it.
I have Hagerty, and filed a claim once for a chipped windshield. I have zero deductible, and I thought I'd call and see if they would fix the chip for free, like a lot of regular insurances do for glass claims.
Instead, they said to just go ahead and replace the windshield with brand new genuine part and forget about it. Paid for the whole thing and didn't raise my premium one cent.

My concern is being dropped. I know these collector polices are not like general insurance. I read horror stories all the time of people being dropped after filing a claim. I figured since the amount is so low, I should pay it and not claim it in case in the future god forbid there is a issue that involves a higher claim.

[bmw m3 s50]

Do you have all of your cars under the same policy with zero deductible? If so, there’s a good chance you’re getting some sort of above and beyond treatment.

That being said, a not at fault claim like the one in question shouldn’t matter anyway. I would just go through insurance, CarFax be damned, just document the issue thoroughly for inquiring minds if/when you decide to sell the car later.

Yeah, I think it's showing up on CarFax regardless. There was like 8-9 cars that hit the same tire debris. State Police took reports for all the cars and the roadway was shut down.

I definitely plan on documenting everything. It actually wasn't bad compared to some of the other cars involved. The greatest cost in this whole thing is getting another lip and CSL diffuser as well as painting them. There was no body damage to the bumper, fender, headlight, etc.

[TexaZ3]

My concern is being dropped. I know these collector polices are not like general insurance. I read horror stories all the time of people being dropped after filing a claim. I figured since the amount is so low, I should pay it and not claim it in case in the future god forbid there is a issue that involves a higher claim.

I don't know man, $3-4k does not seem small enough not to involve insurance, maybe I'm different - but that is why I have insurance, so I don't have to fork out $3k to fix things if unfortunate happens. And if they drop you - get Hagerty, or Grundy, or whoever else. If the company drops a customer as a result of doing what they PROMISED they will do for you in time of need - then f@ck them, they don't deserve to be paid a premium.

[SQ13]

Being dropped is what worries me.

I just remembered that I made a claim with another company back when I hit a coyote that caused $4-5k in damages. Also a hassle free process, and they never dropped me.

[fattycharged]

Why have it if you afraid to file a claim? I don't get it.
I have Hagerty, and filed a claim once for a chipped windshield. I have zero deductible, and I thought I'd call and see if they would fix the chip for free, like a lot of regular insurances do for glass claims.
Instead, they said to just go ahead and replace the windshield with brand new genuine part and forget about it. Paid for the whole thing and didn't raise my premium one cent.

Do you have a local rep with Hagerty? I need to get my “garage vehicles” off my regular insurance plan asap, I'm sure I'm underinsured and overpaying


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[TexaZ3]

Do you have a local rep with Hagerty? I need to get my “garage vehicles” off my regular insurance plan asap, I'm sure I'm underinsured and overpaying


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Did everything online. Never spoke to a person in 7 years I've been with them.

[t44tq]

I had a similar issue this winter- hit some road debris during a torrential thunderstorm which damaged the front bumper, rear bumper and some of the underbody panels. Was about $4000 in repairs. Never had an issue with it being covered by my policy.

That was with a different company- I'm with Hagerty now.