Date:         Mon, 8 Aug 2005 10:01:20 -0700
Reply-To:     Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: impact of claims on insurance prices (was RE: serious vanagon
Comments: To: jimt <camper@tactical-bus.info>
In-Reply-To:  <BF1CE6DD.318D%camper@tactical-bus.info>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

RE: Insurance Rates
Personal Experience in Washington
I was with a very conservative (and inexpensive) auto carrier that
dropped both me and my wife when we separated.  I was with Progressive
when I totalled the '85 Westy, my fault.  My rates doubled for three
years.  A fender bender in my replacement Westy six months later was
going to go on the record as my fault until I provided a copy of the
police report showing the other guy at fault.  In that case I was told
that since I did not hit the guy that cut me off (no contact) it was
assumed I was at fault (was lying) even though I had climbed a lane
divider and taken out a sign to avoid hitting him.  Luckily I had good
witnesses that saw the incident.
Back in the '90s my wife's car was broken into three times and things
stolen.  Comp paid for the broken glass, Homeowners paid for the
missing items, and our Homeowners was cancelled with the reason for
cancellation part of the notice saying in plain English "Claims
Filed".  That was Hartford and I'd been with them for nearly 30 years
at that time.
BTW, Progressive was quite easy to deal with on both claims, even
collecting my $500 deductible from the other guys insurance company
for me in the fender bender.
As Jim said, what State you live in (or where the accident happens)
makes for some radical differences in how a claim is handled.