Auto Insurance Claims: Future damage to an already damaged area of a vehicle, accident scenarios, company adjuster

Question
My van was in an accident where the other party was at fault. I was paid by other party insurance the full estimate of my repair shop.

I do not plan to do any repair 'cos it is just cosmetic and van is very much ok. The damage was very near to about 65-70% of upper end of the market value but they did not totaled it.

My Q s are;

1. I have comprehensive coverage to this van with my insurance, do I have to tell them about this damage and how much $ was the settlement etc.?

2. What are the implications if in a future accident, the damage again to this same damaged area?

3. What if the damage is to other NOT previously damaged areas?

4. What if the future damage is deemed a 'total'?

5. I am happy with the payment I got, feels like I got what I would if I tried to sell it as used. So am I better off just take off my comp cover now?

6. Will the answers to above accident scenarios any different if i am to have only liability cover and the future accident is due to other party's fault?

Hope you could clarify.

Thank you

Answer
Hi Dilhan,

I will answer your Q's in the order you asked them:

1) You are not obligated top tell your insurance company about the damage or the amount of your check.

2) In a future accident, your insurance company will reduce the value of your van by the amount of the old damage. So if your van was worth 10k and the damage was 6k, your van is now only worth 4k. If future damage is to the exact same area your insurance company may refuse to pay. Your insurance company adjuster will be able to detect the prior damage based on an inspection. They are trained to determine that.

3) Again, the value of your van will be reduced by the repair cost of the old damage. In a future accident it will be easier to total your van because the value is significantly lowered.

4) In a future accident it will be easier to total your van because the value is significantly lowered. Your pay out will be based on the lower value of the van.

5) Considering the trouble the prior damage will cause in a future claim, yes, it would be wise to drop the comprehensive and collision coverage. This will save you even more money.

6) If a future accident is sombody elses fault, everything will be as stated above.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh