I live in New York. Back in 2016, a tree fell on my car, causing dents above the doors and on the roof. I’m now thinking about selling the car.
If I get a repair quote from a collision shop, does that automatically start a claim with my insurance?
If the repair cost is higher than the car’s value, will the collision shop give me the option to salvage the car if I file a claim?
Can I even file a valid claim now since the damage happened years ago? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
Getting a quote from a repair shop won’t automatically start a claim with your insurance company. However, since the damage occurred years ago, your insurance may deny the claim because you didn’t notify them in a timely manner. Comprehensive coverage typically covers this kind of damage, but it’s unlikely to be honored after so much time.
@Micah
Thank you for the information.
New York’s statute of limitations for property damage is generally three years. Since the incident happened in 2016, it’s well past the time limit to file a claim. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to collect anything from your insurance now.
@Kris
Thanks for your help!