Just had my first fender bender last week (ugh), and now I'm navigating the whole insurance claim thing here in South Dakota. Curious how many of you have actually filed a claim before... quick poll:
- Yep, been there, done that.
- Nope, lucky so far.
- Um, insurance? What's that?
Yep, been there, done that. More times than I'd like to admit, honestly. A few quick things I've learned from experience:
- SD is an at-fault state, so expect your premiums to take a hit if you're found responsible.
- Document EVERYTHING—photos, police reports, even quick notes about weather or road conditions. Insurance adjusters love details.
- If the damage is minor, sometimes it's worth paying out-of-pocket to avoid premium hikes. Learned that the hard way after a small scrape cost me way more in the long run.
- Also, shop around every year or two. Loyalty doesn't always pay off, especially if you've had claims.
Curious though, has anyone here ever successfully disputed fault with their insurance company? I've heard mixed stories about how flexible they can be...
