So I had a small accident about a month ago with my IS350 where I hit my car against the curb and I damaged my front-left rim pretty bad. No one was hurt and no public property was damaged. I didn't do anything about it at the time because my car drove fine.

This week I realize that my car was out of alignment and the steering wheel shakes when I drive. So I brought my car into a Lexus dealer to check it out. They said the mechanical parts behind the wheel are pretty badly damaged and need to be fixed/replaced--costs $1900. So I called up Progressive and claimed insurance to fix it. They accepted my claim and my car is being fixed as we speak.

So today I received a form from Progressive that tells me to report this accident to DMV. Am I obligated to do this? I mean, no one was hurt and no public property was damaged. I don't see why I should report it. To me, this is like hitting a pot-hole and my car was scratched.

So what do you guys think? What should I do?

Also does this have anything to do with the insurance company whether I report this to the DMV or not?

 

According to my wife who was an insurance agent. Because no other parties were involved, and you had an accident. From insurance company's point of view, that meant you were driving carelessly at that moment and you yourself will be at fault 100%. You're obligated to report DMV report for accident. Because Ins. companies usually check your DMV record around the time when you need to renew your insurance policy. Once you have an accident record in DMV, it's for sure your ins. premium is getting higher. Honestly, if I were you, I would just eat the $1900 and pay for it.

 

b/c your trying to claim it , you have to report it...two options; pay to repair it, then no report is necessary or report it & let insurance pay for it.

You can ask your insurance what your premiums will increase to b/c your submitting a claim & weigh that cost over time with the $1900 bill.

IMO, you must have hit that curb pretty hard, $1900 ouch.

good luck.

 

You are obligated to report it. You are not required to do so...

 

Read this FYI.

 

Insurance companies also report to and check the ISO ClaimSearch database when settling claims and before writing or renewing a policy. If he files a claim, both his company and other insurance companies (that he might want to switch to) are going to know about it even if he doesn't report it to the DMV.

 

For the OP, if at all possible, I would try to pay this out of pocket as your premiums will rise quite a bit over the next 4-5 years. I understand Progressive offers the best rates and a $1900 claim is really nothing, but Ins companies base rates and polices of different thresholds. I a glad your vehicle is getting fixed and please post the effected and corrected parts. I fear I cause suspension damage to my car with a massive pot-hole incident this past February.