Sometimes it is cheaper to pay for the costs of a crash rather than the higher insurance premium that would result from your claim. Calculate whether it is cheaper to claim or pay the costs yourself.
You can choose to pay for the costs of an at-fault crash if it would be more expensive to claim on your insurance. After each claim you move up the Claim-Rated Scale, and this will mean you pay an extra charge on your premium.
You may want to compare the estimated increase in your premium for future years against the cost of repaying the claim. Remember, unless you maintain a claim-free record and move down the scale, there could be a surcharge, and it may make sense to talk to your adjuster about a repayment option.
If you choose not to repay an at-fault claim, your level on the Claim-Rated Scale will move up and you may face an increase to your premium.
For example, if you are at level -9 and you do not repay an at-fault claim, you will move to level -5 and at your next renewal, you will have a smaller discount. If you are at +2 level, you will move to +8 and at your next renewal, you will have a greater surcharge.
Maintain a claims-free record for three years after your at-fault claim and you will be put back to the same level on the Claim-Rated Scale as you were before the claim or base rate, whichever is better. The three year anniversary is marked three years from the date you renew your policy after the claim has increased your premium.