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Awhile back I caused some minor damage to the side of my car while camping, but didn't ever report it or fix it, as the estimated cost of fixing the area was basically the same as my deductible. Today my car was damaged while parked in a Park-n-Ride over the course of a day, and whoever did it did not leave any information. The damage is more substantial this time, so I'm going to have to claim it under my own policy. Would it be possible to have the prior damage fixed under this same claim (so I will only have to pay the deductible once), although the damaged areas are on different areas of the vehicle, and clearly from separate incidents?

A deductible must pay on each loss to which the deductible applies.

The deductible needs to be paid when your coverages, usually comprehensive or collision, are covering a loss. So if you have multiple incidents in one year that has you placing multiple claims through your insurance policies you will need to pay multiple deducible amounts.

In your case since the damages are from two separate incidents with damages to your vehicle in different areas then 2 different claims would need to be made. It sounds as if the damage from the park and ride would be due to a hit and run and fall under your collision coverage. The damage from the camping trip may be a comprehensive claim, depending upon how the damages were sustained.

If the new damages were in the same area as the previous damages then you may have had your claim reduced by the cost of the pre-existing damages that you chose to not repair. That is one reason why it is important to repair damages to your vehicle so that future claims will not deduct pre-existing damage.

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car insurance commentsThis answer came too late to help in my situation, but you hit the nail on the head. Thanks!
Question Details
This car insurance question was asked on 3/19/2007
This auto insurance answer was last updated on 3/22/2007
John B requested this car insurance solution.
Rated 8 out of 10 based on 1 vote.
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