Had a minor fender-bender last week and now I'm knee-deep in insurance paperwork...ugh. Got me thinking—how do most of you handle it when you have an accident here in South Dakota? Do you usually call your agent first, jump straight online to file, or just wing it and hope for the best, lol. Quick poll:
1. Call my agent directly
2. File online through insurance website/app
3. Avoid filing if damage is minor
4. Honestly...no clue, never had to yet (lucky you)
Curious how everyone else tackles this stuff.
"Had a minor fender-bender last week and now I'm knee-deep in insurance paperwork...ugh."
Sorry you're dealing with that—insurance paperwork can definitely feel overwhelming, especially if it's your first claim or it's been a while. From experience, option 1 is usually the most effective route. Calling your agent directly can clarify things quickly and help you understand exactly what's needed. Online filing is convenient for straightforward claims, but speaking directly to someone familiar with local processes here in SD often helps avoid confusion or delays down the line.
Also, even minor damage can sometimes have hidden issues underneath (trust me, I've seen it plenty of times), so it's generally wise not to skip filing altogether unless you're absolutely sure there's no hidden trouble.
Hang in there; it'll get sorted soon enough.
Dealt with something similar a couple years back when some guy backed into my '68 Mustang at a gas station here in SD. Looked like just a minor dent at first, but once I got under the hood, turned out the radiator support was bent and the alignment was off. Insurance paperwork was a pain, no doubt about it—felt like they wanted my life story just to fix a bumper and straighten a frame.
I tried the online route first, thinking it'd be quicker, but ended up getting bounced around between different reps who didn't seem to know much about classic cars or local repair shops. Finally just picked up the phone and called my agent directly. Took maybe 15 minutes to sort out what had taken days online. Lesson learned: sometimes old-school is better, especially if your car isn't exactly run-of-the-mill.
Also, don't underestimate hidden damage. Even if it looks minor, it's worth getting a proper inspection from someone who knows their stuff. Had a buddy skip filing altogether after a small scrape, only to find rust and alignment issues months later that cost him way more out-of-pocket.
Anyway, paperwork sucks, but you'll get through it. Just keep track of everything—photos, receipts, emails—because insurance companies love their documentation. Good luck with it.
"Lesson learned: sometimes old-school is better, especially if your car isn't exactly run-of-the-mill."
Couldn't agree more on this. Had a similar run-in last year with my '72 Camaro here in SD. Online claims seemed convenient at first, but classic cars need someone who actually understands what they're looking at. Best advice I got was to document every step clearly—photos before and after repairs, mechanic's notes, everything. Saved me a ton of headaches later on.
Couldn't agree more on this.
Gotta say, reading through this thread makes me realize how lucky I've been so far. Haven't had to file a claim yet (knock on wood...), but I do keep a folder in my glovebox with insurance info and a checklist just in case. Totally agree about documenting everything—especially if you're traveling out of state or somewhere remote. Better safe than sorry, especially when you're miles from home and dealing with unfamiliar repair shops.
