"if you're commuting daily through heavy traffic or parking on busy streets... seems like the risk of minor damage or theft goes way up."
Yeah, that's exactly why I keep comprehensive coverage even though my car isn't exactly new anymore. A couple years back, I parked downtown for literally 20 minutes to grab coffee, and came back to find my side mirror dangling by a wire. No note, nothing. Ever since then, I'm skeptical about dropping comprehensive—even if mileage is low, you just never know when someone decides your car makes a nice target...
"Ever since then, I'm skeptical about dropping comprehensive—even if mileage is low, you just never know when someone decides your car makes a nice target..."
Had something similar happen last summer—parked on a residential street visiting family, came back to a pretty noticeable dent in the rear fender. Again, no note or witnesses. Repair bill ended up being way more than I expected. Makes me wonder, though, does anyone know if these minor claims actually affect your premium significantly in the long run? Seems like insurers react differently...
I've wondered about that too—had a windshield replaced a couple years ago after a rock cracked it on the highway. It was a pretty minor claim, but when renewal time came, my premium did creep up slightly. When I asked my agent, she said it wasn't the claim itself, but more about frequency—apparently insurers track how often you file claims, even small ones.
But honestly, I think it depends heavily on your insurer and your history with them. A buddy of mine had two small claims in one year and his rate jumped noticeably, whereas my brother had one larger claim and barely saw any change. Maybe it's worth checking with your insurer directly or even shopping around a bit if you're concerned. I've found that sometimes loyalty doesn't pay off as much as we'd like to think...
I'm not totally convinced it's just about frequency though—couldn't the type of claim matter more? Like, windshield replacements are pretty common and usually minor, but wouldn't insurers be more concerned about claims indicating risky driving habits or accidents? I've had a couple windshield repairs myself over the years and didn't notice much difference in my premiums. Maybe your friend's rate jumped because his claims hinted at riskier behavior rather than just frequency alone...
Yeah, I think you're onto something there. A few years back, I had two windshield replacements within a year (thanks, gravel trucks...), and my premiums barely budged. But after one minor fender-bender, boom—noticeable increase. Seems insurers definitely weigh accident-related claims differently.
