"Had a client recently who didn't realize their deductible was $1,000 until after a deer ran out in front of them...ouch."
That's a good point about deductibles—I hadn't really thought much about that aspect yet. As someone still learning the ropes, I'm curious: is there a general recommendation for deductible amounts, especially in areas like ours with so much wildlife activity? I get that lower deductibles mean higher premiums, but is there a sweet spot most people aim for?
Also, speaking of wildlife incidents...my instructor mentioned something about comprehensive claims not affecting your rates as much as collision claims. Is that generally true, or does it depend heavily on the insurer? Just trying to wrap my head around all these details before I have to deal with it firsthand. Glad your raccoon encounter wasn't too serious—I've heard some wild stories about smaller animals causing unexpected damage.
Good questions—deductibles can be tricky, especially around here. A few quick thoughts from experience:
- Most folks I work with tend to settle around $500 for comprehensive coverage in wildlife-heavy areas. It's a decent balance between premium cost and out-of-pocket pain if something happens.
- You're right about comprehensive claims usually having less impact on your rates compared to collision claims. Generally speaking, insurers see wildlife incidents as less of a risk indicator than at-fault accidents. But it can vary a bit depending on the company, so always worth double-checking.
- Had a client once who hit a turkey (of all things)...didn't seem like much damage at first glance, but ended up costing nearly $2k in repairs. Definitely made them glad they didn't go too high on their deductible.
Sounds like you're already thinking ahead, which is smart. Better to ask these questions now than after a deer decides to jump out at you.
"Had a client once who hit a turkey (of all things)...didn't seem like much damage at first glance, but ended up costing nearly $2k in repairs."
Funny you mention turkeys—I had a similar run-in with a pheasant last year. Thought it was just a minor bump, but nope... cracked grille and busted sensor. Luxury car parts aren't cheap, unfortunately. Ended up being close to $3k, so yeah, glad I stuck with the $500 deductible.
Agree that comprehensive claims don't usually spike your rates much, if at all. I've filed two wildlife-related claims in the past five years and barely noticed any premium increase. Collision claims, though? Different story entirely. Learned that one the hard way after a fender bender in Sioux Falls traffic.
Honestly, if you're driving something pricey or newer, I'd keep the deductible lower. Saving a few bucks monthly isn't worth the headache when something inevitably jumps out at you around here. Just my two cents from experience...
Had a deer clip my '68 Mustang a few years back—thought it was just a dented fender, but ended up needing paint matching and bodywork. Classic parts aren't cheap either... insurance covered most, thankfully. Didn't notice any premium hike afterward, though.
Had a similar run-in with a raccoon once—little guy did way more damage than you'd think possible. Insurance was decent about it, but premiums nudged up slightly afterward. Wonder if classic cars get a pass on hikes more often?
