broken window & home owner's insurance

[m3racer]

So I broke a window playing golf I found the owner and offered to pay for the damage. I'm sure she has home owner's insurance but I can't say for sure. How do I know if she's double dipping and is not going to pocket my $$?

[sweeps]

The homeowner would be foolish to report it to her insurance company (even if you hadn't come forward). The claim probably wouldn't clear the deductible and would raise her premium.

Kudos to you for doing the right thing and offering to pay.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

You won't know whether she also collects from her insurance, nor do you need to know.

[poundwise]

The homeowner would be foolish to report it to her insurance company (even if you hadn't come forward). The claim probably wouldn't clear the deductible and would raise her premium.

Kudos to you for doing the right thing and offering to pay.

Ditto.

[m3racer]

I told her that I would pay the glass company directly so maybe they might give me some insight. I doubt they want to get stuck between the insurance company and the payer.

[m3racer]

nor do you need to know.

I guess I don't need to know but most people would consider double dipping fraudulent.

[project15]

I guess I don't need to know but most people would consider double dipping fraudulent.

Yes, but if the window glass costs $300 to cut and install and her homeowner's deductible is $500, then she loses $200 just by claiming it. Also the risk of being dropped for such a petty thing.

[simpleyme]

I have to laugh that you are so concerned about someone making money off you breaking their window ,pay for the damage and move on


the home owner will be greatly inconvenienced all the dealing with you then the glass company and the mess the hassle possible rescheduling and all to get the window they had before you broke it

[disneysteve]

Have to agree with everyone else. 1) She'd be nuts to report a broken window. 2) If she is committing fraud, that's her business. You can't control that. You should pay for the damage and move on.

[m3racer]

I never said I wasn't going to pay for the damages. Clearly, I broke the window and I'll take full responsibility for it. With that said, I don't think that gives anybody the right to take advantage of the situation.

[disneysteve]

I don't think that gives anybody the right to take advantage of the situation.

Absolutely. I don't think any of us were suggesting that insurance fraud is an okay thing to do. You're question was how do you know if she's "double dipping" and the answer is you don't. It is just extremely unlikely in this case since she'd be nuts to report a broken window to her insurance company. The repair is probably less than her deductible and it isn't worth having her coverage dropped over something that minor.

[simpleyme]

It was clear that you are going to take care of it;-)

i too do not support insurance fraud but really if this happened to me

I would never claim it against my insurance if anything I would find out what kind of insurance you have and make a claim against you ;-)
I know people always say that's what insurance is for,but really its not . too many claims equal higher premiums or even not able to get insurance

some people do make petty claims and if it makes you feel better if she does double dip it will likley cost her more in the future,karma ;-)

[disneysteve]

too many claims equal higher premiums or even not able to get insurance

Unfortunately, I can confirm this from personal experience. Most companies have a 2 claims in 5 years policy. If you make 2 claims within a 5 year period for any reason in any amount, they can and will drop your coverage. We discovered this after we had an electrical fire in our basement and had to have the whole circuit box and wiring replaced from the street to the house. Then, 3 years later, we had a car fire in the driveway that did some property damage. They paid the claim and then dropped us. I had to call 8 or 9 companies before I could find one that would write us a new policy with that claim history.

[cicy33]

I never said I wasn't going to pay for the damages. Clearly, I broke the window and I'll take full responsibility for it. With that said, I don't think that gives anybody the right to take advantage of the situation.

While I agree with you in principle, you are assuming something with no evidence. that is unfair to the home owner. why assume she will do that?