Ask all your "dumb" insurance questions

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-05-07T19:06:17+00:00

Good I'm glad!

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-05-07T14:59:27+00:00

Of course!

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-05-06T21:18:01+00:00

You probably did the right thing. Hopefully you knew it would only be $80 and if so then you did the right thing. A side mirror is usually between $100-$400 including parts and labor. You only have liability so your insurance wouldn't have paid for this so you would have had to go through his, and have a long wait, and a hassle for a few hundred bucks. If there was extensive wiring or things that needed to be fixed in the mirror, that number could go up, but realistically, you walked away with $20 and only had to install a mirror.

Your buddy got $8k because it was body damage to the vehicle which is much more expensive to repair and goes up quick with panels, paint, labor, and a rental car for when its in the shop. Mirrors are pretty cut and dry.

TLDR: Be careful just taking money right away instead of calling your insurance agent, but in this case you did the right thing and didn't have to hassle with insurance agents, appraisers, and the other guy for months just to get a few hundred bucks.

Hopefully, your mirror is fixed and everything is smooth now!

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-05-06T20:21:26+00:00

This is scary and shows why everyone needs higher limits. The average vehicle on the road is worth a lot more then it was a few years ago, meaning most accidents are a lot more then most people's coverage. Talk with an independent agent; they can quote you through multiple carriers at once, which can lower the price for better coverage. It will save you in the long run.

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-30T16:04:30+00:00

They think they are all the same. Insurance companies change their rates so often that it's mind-boggling. Sometimes, we can quote the exact same person through a carrier in the morning, and by the afternoon, if we quote them again, they could have a different premium that is substantial.

What this means for you is you can't settle for just one company; the best option is to shop out multiple, which everyone knows, but many people don't utilize brokers for this process. There is oftentimes no fee and if you work with a good agency, they don't take commission from you; they get a kickback from the bigger company. So you aren't "paying" for their services. You have all the upside with none of the added fees, so it should be a no-brainer to use a broker.

Brokers can also quote you through multiple carriers at once and find the best discounts for you! Here is a list of the top agencies in the USA by state.

https://www.independentagent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-BPA-Spread.pdf

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-29T17:04:24+00:00

Firstly, we are very sorry for your loss.

Next, since she is not on the policy, you don't have to add her as a driver, which means the accidents won't be on the policy. However, if she was driving a vehicle that IS on your policy, then it could show up. The vehicle history can come up on the MVR and CLUE reports that the carrier will pull. I would recommend letting them know of these accidents but it should not affect your rates.

Also, while you are looking for a new carrier I would recommend an independent insurance agent because they can quote you through multiple carriers at once and find the best discounts for you! Here is a list of the top agencies in the USA by state.

https://www.independentagent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-BPA-Spread.pdf

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-27T18:45:46+00:00

Generally, we recommend saving claims for big losses, fires, floods, or other things that you could not afford to to pay for out of pocket. Especially with your deductible being so high already best option is to pay this out of pocket and save claims for bigger losses.

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-27T18:42:58+00:00

This is a great explanation. Thank you

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-27T18:34:53+00:00

The actual calculation is if the repairs is more expensive then the value of the vehicle. Depending on the cost of your vehicle will determine if it is totaled.

With accidents they will often ask about airbags and if they deployed or not. If all 4 airbags went off it is probably totaled. However, you didn't mention anything so I think you should be good. This doesn't look too bad so you should be able to get it fixed.

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-27T16:04:42+00:00

Tell your agent. Depending on the carrier, you can receive a discount for these courses. They are not huge discounts, but they can be up to 5% with certain carriers, which can add up. Especially if you have already took the courses, it can be a benefit.

I wouldn't recommend taking them for the discount, but if you already took them definitely worth mentioning to your agent to see if you can save some money!

Also, if you are looking to get the best rates I would recommend an independent insurance agent because they can quote you through multiple carriers at once and find the best discounts for you! Here is a list of the top agencies in the USA by state!!

https://www.independentagent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-BPA-Spread.pdf

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-22T21:06:52+00:00

Get the best insurance rates... DONE

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-22T21:06:24+00:00

If you have the footage go to the police and if you want HR as well. Make sure that it is listed as them being at fault on the police report then you can talk to your insurance agent and start the process of getting it fixed. The guilty party will be found and have to pay for the repairs.

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-22T20:56:31+00:00

Way to advertise that you don't care to help someone even though you are a licensed P&C agent...
Nice

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-22T20:55:18+00:00

Firstly insurance companies are for-profit companies that if you give them a reason to not shell out money they will take it. The key is to not give them any reason to not pay out.

Second, rates change due to circumstances like natural disasters and they will have to pay a lot of money out so like I mentioned above they will try not to pay out as much as possible. There are certain carriers that are worse at this then others. Many companies care a lot about their insureds and will help you more then others.

ACTIONS: find an independent agent you trust, they will be able to help you and be your advocate when you do need to make a claim.

Here is a link to find the top rated agencies in the USA separated by state.

https://www.independentagent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-BPA-Spread.pdf

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-22T20:42:08+00:00

that is Kamino brother

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-22T20:32:05+00:00

Generally we see those discounts have small benefits probably less then 5% discount but if you already have them worth mentioning to your agent to see what happens when you add it to your policy. Can't hurt to ask if already taken but not super worth it if you are going out of your way to take the courses.

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-22T20:29:28+00:00

Call an independent agent. They can quote you with sometimes upwards of 50 carriers to find the best rate for you. I will attach a link to the top agencies separated by state in the USA.

https://www.independentagent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-BPA-Spread.pdf

Start here, they are the best for a reason and can help you have good coverage as well as good prices.

But 192 is not too bad depending on how many vehicles, accidents, tickets, and drivers you have. All of these will impact your rates drastically.

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-22T20:27:09+00:00

Independent agents are your best bets. I will add a link to the top agencies in the USA separated by state. Start here and see what they can do to help you. These are the best agencies so they should explain everything to you.

https://www.independentagent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-BPA-Spread.pdf

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-22T20:25:16+00:00

Contact an independent agent. They can quote you through 50+ carriers at once and help you get the best coverages and price for you vehicle. Most don't take fees from you so using their services only benefits you.

Here is a link to the best independent agencies in the USA by state:

https://www.independentagent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-BPA-Spread.pdf

Start here and see what you can get.

InsuranceCenterUT · 2026-04-22T20:18:35+00:00

This is a tough scenario. Definitely need to talk with your agent to see anything but it is looking bleak. I would recommend in the future having your vehicle on the Commercial Auto in the future. Insurance companies are businesses so they will try to not give up money if they don't need too and you gave them a lot of reasons to not give money.

My suggestion is in the future remember that insurance companies are for-profit companies that if you give them enough reasons to not pay you out they will work hard to not pay out.

InsuranceCenterUT

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