Just install a dash cam like I did...they might? be nice enough to not raise yout insurance if they see you have evidence of how the damage happened?

Now I record everything that happens.

A claim is a claim, regardless of what happened. As long as your insurance has to pay to make repairs (as opposed to another person being at fault and having their insurance pay for it), then there's the chance your rate might increase. The cleaner your driving record, the fewer previous claims and the longer you've been with your insurance company - the better chance you have to not have them raise rates on you.

Last year, a road cone was in the middle of the freeway in another lane and a truck hit it and launched it into my lane. Cars on both sides of me so I had nowhere to go, and it hit my front end hard (had to replace front bumper). I paid my deductible and the insurance paid the rest. Rates didn't go up, but it was my first claim, I've been with the company for 10+ years and I've got a perfect driving record. I bet if I have to make another claim within the next couple years, my rates will increase.

I didn't read all of the posts, but I think it's always wise to tell them that it was moving/bouncing on the road/kicked up into your car - takes away liability on your part for "not dodging it" or whatever.

That's what I was told way back when.

I don't recall my premiums increasing after my 240sx was $50 from being totalled after a hit-and-run in a parking lot. Walked up to it after an exam and someone in what I assume was a big truck must have backed into it - smashed both fenders, bumper, headlight, hood, and radiator support.

it's hard to tell the reason behind premium changes unless you ask your agent.

ive had my dd's premium go up due to dumbarses crashing all over the place, especially
old people. i checked with my agent why my premium went up despite my accident-free
history, no claims in recent years...and he said very sorry, but it's just the mark up from
the field as the car was now considered slightly higher risk than before. :ugh:

Have Geico right now, filed a claim July 30th of 2013 for a Comprehensive Claim on my IS250 same as what happened to you, only difference was my incident was a Blown Full Semi Tire flew off the trailer and smacked into the front. Rate Did NOT go up or increase due to Non-Fault as asked by the agent, damages were covered and Deductible applied. Simple. I asked about how things go up and it's in Fault based accidents, incidents in comprehensive where applicable responsibility can be assumed by the Policy Holder - (Best friend is adjuster for State Farm and this is a Insurance Industry standard as i was told) You should be fine. submit, call the agent give the account 20 min call about what happened, submit to Shop, and let them fix, pay deductible and go on your way :)

i read geico use inferior parts (non-oem) to do their repairs.... :ugh: unless the victim pays the difference out of pocket. :ugh2:

However the onus is on you to prove that the fault was on a third party, sometimes hard when the other party does not stop.

I find it hard to believe, meaning. If I park my car somewhere and someone swipes the side of me then if I make a claim my insurance wont go up next year? doubt it.

On friday night I nearly hit a cat crossing a road, fortunately for me the road was clear and I swerved to avoid it hitting my right corner bumper. Now, if I had hit the cat, and claimed for a new bumper are you saying my premiums would not go up? I am guessing that I would need to prove to Geico it was indeed a cat?

Well it all comes down to your agent's common sense in all aspects. Most of the time the agent determining has a good frame of mind, along with the viability of the situation and if it could happen. Anyone can get on here and go Well "what If this, and what if that' the reality is that when you get the agent in the call, is this a situation of a possibility that it could do damage or not. I can't speak to each hypothetical situation it all goes back to the agent and viable-ness of the incident.

Any claim is a claim, even if someone hit you and their company paid your company still has to pay someone to do the paperwork, that's reflected in a rate increase. Remember, there is NO altruism in any insurance company no matter what lies they tell in TV ads.

I'm not bitter and have no recent claims.

"Chargeable" vs "non-chargeable" accidents. Your policy will spell out which is which. Cheaper insurance policies, like Geico, have to cut corners somewhere. For them, a claim is a claim.