Quote:
Originally Posted by N1rve
If you go through insurance, it will be considered a collision. Any damage that is under the car/low to the car is considered "avoidable". Collision charges will increase your dates.
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Perhaps this is true with your insurance. It is not with mine, and I'd guess others. My car was damaged in the front bumper fairly low and the quarter panel, just at the start of the wheel arch.
The process:
Go to body shop, get estimate. I happen to know this body shop is a) really good and b) one of the "preferred" shops for my insurance.
Call insurance and file claim. Tell them of the body shop I plan to take it to.
Because said shop is on the preferred list, there is no adjuster ever involved, the work is guaranteed for life, and several other nice things for a nearly new car.
Body shop manager tells me to verify my deductible and the claim limit below which rates will not go up. I do so. Body shop manager tells me the estimate is close enough to the limit that he will make sure it can come in just below (with no difference in the work they will do).
Car fixed, looks perfect, rates do not change. The insurance company never got anything more from me than a description of what happened. The body shop I would guess sent them the invoice for the repair.