Many people believe that if you file a repair claim, when you are the driver "at fault", that you automatically become a candidate for being dropped by your insurance company.  Even though this may be true for some sub-standard insurance carriers, it is not the case for the vast majority of reputable insurance companies; this is due mainly to the fact that the insurance industry is so competitive, they really don't want to lose your business unless you become an excessive risk for them to insure.  Speaking of risk, you are actually more likely to be seen as less of a risk to your insurance provider, if you do get your vehicle repaired, in the event of a collision.  This is because the insurance companies, DMV and law enforcement agencies all know how unsafe it is to drive a damaged vehicle, for a multitude of good reasons, a few being:

• Even moderate damage can cause you to have less control over your vehicle.
• Inoperative lights make you less visible to other drivers.
• Internal or non-visible damage may be on the verge of becoming serious safety issues, if you continue to operate your damaged vehicle.
• Unrepaired damage will only worsen in time, becoming more expensive to fix later.
• Your vehicle's resale value will be negatively affected.
• A second impact to or near the already damaged area can likely result in injuries to you and your loved ones!  Your vehicle will only protect you if its structure is intact, per the manufacturer's specifications.

    With these facts in mind, the logical priority quickly becomes clear.  You can deal with a slight rate increase a lot easier than you can deal with bodily injuries; in fact, your rates may not increase, depending on your situation.  The only way to know for sure is to call your agent every so often, and let him or her keep you informed.

    If not having deductible money is an issue for you, here's a suggestion:  Every month, simply set aside $10.00 in a safe place at home (if you can afford to set aside more from time to time, then you'll reach your goal even more quickly), and in a year's time, you will have saved $120.00.  Don't forget that the average driver only has a collision every 5 to 7 years, so most people can easily save enough money to cover their deductible in about a 4-year time-span.

Aaron Cooper

Director of Marketing

Sonshine Auto Body

(760)243-3185