# Underwriter Advise Needed

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underwriter-advise-needed/266966>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 1, 2004, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underwriter-advise-needed/266966 "2004-10-01T01:36:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Spezza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Spezza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spezza)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underwriter-advise-needed/266966/1 "2004-10-01T01:36:12Z")

</div>

Last night I drove my car headfirst into an industrial dumpster. (Don’t ask, I’m tired of explaining; not my fault.) Anyways, my sister is a lawyer and I know I have no recourse except to bite the bullet and accept responsibility. The initial estimate for the damage is $3500, so I figure it could go up to $4500 max. My deducible is $500. I had one accident 6 years ago, which drops off my record in November. Therefore, if I claim this accident, when my insurance is renewed it will still only show only one accident on my record. Currently I pay $1500 a year for insurance. Say my insurance goes up $500 a year, then with the deducible it comes out to the same price; though with it not claimed I have a clean sheet on my insurance. My question is: Is it worth it to go through insurance? What are the odds of my insurance going up $500 a year (or more)? (I am 23, driving only the parent’s cars as a secondary driver.)

Talking with the insurance people they said my insurance shouldn’t go up that much. However, knowing insurance in Ontario I have my doubts. Also, the repair man said I should go through insurance; though I doubt his expertise. If any underwriters are out there, “Please help!” Any advise you can provide, however anecdotal, will be greatly appreciated. I will have to decide within the next day or two.