Make an insurance claim or pay for the repair? How to decide

After a knock, your first instinct may be to call the insurer. Sometimes that is the right choice; in other cases, paying for the repair yourself may work out better. Before reporting the claim, compare these three figures.

1. The excess

With comprehensive cover and an excess, you pay the agreed excess and the insurer covers the remaining eligible costs. With a €300 excess and a €350 repair, making a claim may not be worthwhile: you would pay most of the bill yourself and could still have a claim recorded.

2. What happens to the premium next year

A claim where you are at fault may affect your no-claims discount or premium, depending on the level of responsibility, your insurer’s bonus-malus system and the terms of your policy. It is not automatic, and there is no fixed number of years for which the effect will last. Ask your broker how your insurer would treat the claim and what the likely increase could be.

3. The real cost of the repair

This is where people often go wrong: they imagine a figure without first getting a quote. A long scratch on a door and a badly damaged panel affecting the pillar are very different jobs. A photo may be enough for a ballpark estimate; once we have seen the car, we can assess the repair more accurately and provide a quote.

When claiming usually pays off

• A third party or injuries are involved: you should report the accident.
• The damage affects the structure, the airbags or several panels.
• The repair cost is comfortably higher than the excess and any likely premium increase.
• It is a no-fault claim and the other party has been identified: a penalty may not apply, depending on the circumstances and your policy.

When paying yourself usually works out better

• A car-park knock affects a single panel and no third party is involved.
• The quote is close to the excess or only slightly above it.
• The car is older and you value protecting your no-claims discount.
• You prefer to choose the workshop and materials yourself.

Two practical notes

In Spain, the general deadline for notifying an insurance claim is seven days from the date you become aware of it, unless your policy allows a longer period. If in doubt, check your policy before letting days pass. You may also be able to choose the workshop: for damage to your own vehicle, this depends on the policy; where another driver is responsible, your compensation cannot be limited simply by requiring you to use a contracted workshop.

If you want real figures for your case, send us a photo of the damage on WhatsApp. We can usually provide an initial estimate the same day, so you can compare it with your excess before deciding.