Switching Insurance, But Need To Make A Claim

Seeking Advice
1

I just got off the phone with the broker that does the writing for my current car insurance company (Nationwide). I’m being charged $500/month and my broker was able to switch me to Progressive for $140/month with more coverage/benefits.

My question is this… My next payment to Nationwide is on 11/19. So they are cancelling that payment. I will have coverage with Nationwide until 11/19, at which point it will switch to Progressive. Well, a rock hit my windshield and cracked it in the middle of all of this. Would it be a poor decision to have Nationwide replace the windshield even though I’m leaving them in a week? Or can I proceed? I feel sorry of guilty, but at the same time I’ve been with them for 15+ years and never needed them (and they were charging me out the ass, apparently).

I’m worried Nationwide will decline, and then somehow Progressive would find out and decline, too (sort of like health insurance with pre-existing conditions). I have no clue how insurance works so bare with me, lol.

2

As long as you had valid coverage with Nationwide on the date of loss, they can’t legally deny the claim. Progressive won’t cover it.

3

You should file it with whoever insured you the date the damage occurred.

4

Progressive won’t cover this unless you commit fraud and lie about when the crack happened. Nationwide would cover it, since that’s who you had insurance through at the time of the damage.

5

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate the information. I will get a claim submitted to Nationwide.

6

Why would it be a poor decision to let your current insurance handle it?

7

IMO, it would be a poor decision to file a claim on a rock chip. Insurance for big liability, not little liability. I think you’d pay more in extra premiums than they’ll pay for the windshield.

8

If you’re going to file, make sure to document the crack with photos and submit the claim promptly. You don’t need a police report for something like this, just follow Nationwide’s procedure. It’s your right to use the coverage you’ve paid for over the years.

9

@Mal
While I agree with most of your comment, who does a police report for a rock chip? Total waste of resources and it’s not needed.

10

PolicyPulse said:
@Mal
While I agree with most of your comment, who does a police report for a rock chip? Total waste of resources and it’s not needed.

File the claim now and submit pictures. Just follow the company’s claims procedures. You don’t need a police report for that.

And don’t feel guilty. It’s a business. You are paying for this protection, and they maintain reserves to pay claims. They aren’t doing you any favors; it’s a transaction.

11

@Ozzie
I think you meant to reply to OP.

12

@Mal
None of this will happen for a customer of 15 years filing a claim for glass damages before their policy expires. There’s no reason it would flag anything.

A police report for a cracked windshield? No way, that’s way overboard.