When NOT to file a claim

By Liz Pulliam Weston

You've just crunched your fender in a parking lot. Or your washing machine overflowed, flooding your laundry room. Should you call your insurer?

Probably not.

These days, insurance companies are quicker to raise premiums or drop coverage entirely when customers make too many claims -- or just one of the wrong kind of claim. Some people have even found themselves without coverage after simply consulting with their agent over whether or not to file a claim.

Unfortunately, there's no cut-and-dried formula for determining when to involve your insurance company and when to keep your problems to yourself. The following are some situations where you should at least think twice before picking up the phone:

The damage is under $1,000

Here's a basic fact about insurance: It's meant to cover the big disasters that could cripple you financially, not small stuff that just stings a bit.

With that in mind, smart consumers have long kept their home and auto premium costs down by raising their deductibles to $500, $1,000 or higher and not making claims unless the damage exceeds that limit.

These days, such an approach can not only save money, it can also save your coverage. In some cases, it may be better to raid your emergency fund or use a credit card than to risk higher premiums or not having your policy renewed.

This is true even if your state or insurer provides some protection for consumers. While some insurers, including State Farm and USAA, "forgive" longtime customers by not counting the first at-fault accident, the real problem with filing a small claim is that it can count against you if you ever need to file a bigger claim later.

No (bodily) harm, no foul

Most accidents don't involve injuries. If you're in a one-car mishap or you hit an unoccupied vehicle, you might consider paying for the damage yourself if you can afford the tab. Especially if your driving history is less than pristine -- you've already had an accident or ticket in the last three years -- paying for an accident out-of-pocket may be cheaper than facing the higher premiums that are likely to result.

Not telling your insurance company about an accident you've caused is a risky maneuver, however, if another driver was involved, there were injuries, or you had a passenger. While you're legally not required to make an insurance claim, you probably should notify your insurer of what happened if there's a chance someone else could make a claim on your policy. Insurers don't like to be surprised, and you'll want to have your version of events on the record. In a worst-case scenario, your company could use your failure to report the accident as a reason not to pay your defense costs if you are sued.

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Your insurer also may find out about the accident if your state or local laws require a police report be filed. (Such reports are usually mandatory if injuries or significant property damage is involved.) Most insurers comb Department of Motor Vehicle records looking for unreported incidents. You can find out if a police report is required by calling your local law enforcement agency.

Continued: If the damage involves water or mold

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