Comprehensive insurance on a dented car?

• 

  tonyjzx on 04/03/2014 - 00:13

  if its a pile of shit car, they will most likely write it off in the event of an expensive accident anyway

  if you get hit on the door and the door previously had shopping cart dents on it they will replace the whole door anyway

  • 

    Azn310 on 04/03/2014 - 00:18

    thanks so much for the input. What about in the event of hail storm?

    P.s. it is not so shit, Toyota 2005 only done 120k, but not something that we want to look good either. My lady is new driver so I totally expected that well in advance lol

  • 

    ESEMCE on 04/03/2014 - 12:06

    It it worth Comprehensively insuring anyway?
    When a car gets to $4000ish I figure it's barely worth the risk:reward provided you have the savings/income to buy a replacement if the worst should happen.

• 

  Daabido on 04/03/2014 - 00:14

  +1

  One might ask why you want comprehensive insurance on an old and cheap car you don't mind having dents in. Perhaps third party, fire and theft would be a cheaper option.

  But back to your question, I don't have direct knowledge but if there is unprepared existing damage most insurers will want to inspect the vehicle before insuring it. Even if you are continuing with the same insurance company next year, you will want to disclose this small dents at that time of renewal (depending on their size of course - your insurer can provide advice with regard to this).

  If you make full disclosure, have the car inspected if required and take photographic evidence of the preexisting condition, then you should be ok. If a subsequent accident makes a small dent inside the already existing dent, then it probably won't be covered. But if the subsequent dent engulfs the original, then it would.

  • 

    Azn310 on 04/03/2014 - 00:28

    thank you for your input!

    I bought comprehensive because we get occasional hail storm here, and I dont have a garage to put the car in (Yes we don't mind the dents, but hail storm pimples on the car is a bit gross :D ). Also we use it on highways so windscreen could get chipped and cracks from flying rocks. We live in area where Kangaroos jump on the streets often too. And lastly, third party fire theft for us was about $400, comprehensive was about $900, so we thought why not.

    It's funny later her company requires her to have comprehensive on the car too for driving clients around.

    I bought it online and there was very few questions and no inspection (this is what I love about Australia ;) ) . I will be sure to update them when I renew.

    • 

      bluedufflecoat on 04/03/2014 - 09:08

      Look into the cost of nil excess on your insurance.
      If it is an additional $100-$200, but you get nil excess (otherwise $500), then it is worth it, if you are likely to get hailed on at least once a year.

    • 

      Cheeper on 04/03/2014 - 13:02

      "I bought it online and there was very few questions and no inspection (this is what I love about Australia"

      If you ever do need to lodge a claim they will check back … The first thing an insurance co does with a claim is to look for any reason to reject the claim.

      "It's funny later her company requires her to have comprehensive on the car too for driving clients around."

      They should provide a car then :-).
      Part of the vehicles maintenance, insurance, etc should be claimable as an expense come tax time.. :-)

• 

  tonyjzx on 04/03/2014 - 13:47

  if its your avg. minor cosmetic dents and scratches thats fine

  its a 9 yr old car driven by woman, it wont be perfect

• 

  kimmylala on 09/03/2014 - 00:27

  If your vehicle at any stage becomes a write off. An assessor will inspect it and for any pre existing damages. They will just deduct it from the payout (settlement amount)