Should I file an insurance claim if I hit a pole?
Asked by: Eduardo Feest I | Last update: June 27, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (28 votes)
Should I report hitting a pole to insurance?
If you hit a pole and drive off, even if it's just a pole located in a parking lot, it could be considered an illegal hit-and-run. Rather than fleeing the scene, it's best to report the damage immediately. Your insurance claim could also be in jeopardy if you flee the scene without filing a police report.
How much does insurance go up for hitting a pole?
A few states, including Oklahoma and California, don't allow insurers to increase your rates if a crash was not your fault.
Should I file an insurance claim if I am not at-fault?
Always File a Claim, Regardless of Who Was At-Fault
One of the primary questions we receive from clients who have been in an accident is whether they should report the accident to their own auto insurance carrier, particularly when the accident was not their fault. And the answer to that question is: always.
What happens when a car hits a pole?
When a car crashes into a power pole, the pole may fall down, lines may fall on your car or nearby, and the area around your car may become charged with electric energy. If you stepped out of the car in this scenario, your body would become the path to ground for the electricity, and you could be electrocuted.
I Hit a Pole! Will Insurance Cover It?
Can you get charged for hitting a pole?
In California the liability follows the car first and then the driver. So if I'm driving your car and I hit a utility pole, then your car insurance will pay first. If for some reason your insurance is insufficient then my car Insurance will finish paying the claim.
Does insurance cover crashing into a pole?
Your collision coverage will have a limit, which is the maximum amount your policy will pay toward a covered claim. Usually the limit is the price of your vehicle, so as long as hitting a pole does not cost you more than the price of your vehicle, then your insurance will cover the amount.
Is it better to not file an insurance claim?
Always file a claim if there's serious property damage or potential injuries. Even if the other driver is honest and the accident was only a fender bender, the damage might be more serious than it appears. Additionally, a car might have hidden damage that won't be found until it's been looked at by a mechanic.
When someone hits you, do you call your insurance or theirs?
You should call both, regardless of who you think is at fault. If it turns out the other driver is at fault, their insurance will pay, but it's helpful to have your insurance company involved.
Should I let my insurance know if it wasn't my fault?
Yes, it is generally advisable to notify your insurance company even if the accident wasn't your fault. Most insurance policies require policyholders to promptly report any accidents or incidents, regardless of fault.
Can I file an insurance claim if I hit something?
Hitting an Object Lying in the Road
To make a collision claim, you need to have opted for collision coverage before experiencing your accident. Collision coverage is optional, and if you opted for state-minimum coverage, you might not have collision coverage. Expect to pay a deductible when filing a collision claim.
Is hitting a pole an at-fault accident on Reddit?
It's an at-fault collision claim, so probably will increase your premiums, unless you have some sort of accident forgiveness.
Do I need to file a claim if I have no damage?
For injuries: Yes. Even if it was a fender bender with no damage and no one appears to be seriously hurt, you should still consider filing a claim for minor injuries. Some injuries might be more severe than they seem, and others can linger and may cost more to treat than you expect.
What happens if you don't call your insurance after an accident?
Failing to contact your insurance company shortly after being in a car accident can lead to them denying your claim. Waiting to contact your insurance company can also make it more difficult for the insurance company to investigate your case, which could lead to you receiving a lower settlement amount.
Should I file an insurance claim for bumper damage?
It may not make sense to file a claim if the bumper damage is minor and the repair cost is lower than your auto insurance deductible. If you have a low deductible, it may be worthwhile to file a claim, even for minor repairs.
Should I file a claim if I'm at fault?
If you damage someone else's vehicle during a significant collision, and you're at fault, you should always file a claim.
Is it better to use your insurance or theirs?
After a car accident, you should notify your insurance company and file a claim, and not deal with the other driver's insurer. Except in rare circumstances, it is not wise to contact them. Your insurance company represents you, and the other driver's insurance company represents them.
Should I talk to the other insurance company after an accident?
You are not legally obligated to speak with the other insurance company's representative or provide them with any information. Politely decline to discuss the specifics of the accident or your injuries and inform them that any necessary information will be provided through your car accident lawyer.
At what point is it worth claiming on insurance?
You should consider filing a car insurance claim whenever your out-of-pocket costs would extend past your deductible. Reminder: your deductible is the amount you'll pay out of pocket when you file certain claim types, like comprehensive or collision.
When not to go through car insurance?
When the Claim Amount Is the Same or Less than the Deductible. If the claim amount equals or is less than the deductible, there's not much sense in filing a claim. “Most car insurance policies have a deductible in place which you have to pay before their coverage kicks in,” says Ross.
What happens if you don t file insurance claim after accident?
If you fail to report a car accident and another party later makes a claim against your insurance for compensation, your insurance company could say that you never reported an accident and refuse to make good on your coverage. Then, you would have to pay out of pocket.
Does my insurance go up if I hit a pole?
This may also be important if you receive a ticket from the police as a consequence of the incident for DUI or reckless driving. Hitting a pole raises your chances of having your rate raised, much as other accidents.
Will my insurance go up if I hit an object?
Insurance companies consider hitting an object in the road to be an accident. Unfortunately, that means you will need to use your collision coverage, the incident will be considered your fault, and you'll likely see an increase in premium.
Do police investigate single car accidents?
Even if your single-car crash only damaged your own vehicle plus an object like a parked car, fence, or structure, state traffic laws likely require stopping and reporting it to authorities or property owners. Failure to do so can result in criminal hit-and-run charges.