Auto Insurance Claims: Car hail damage, car hail damage, comprehensive insurance

Question
I have not told my insurance company about the hail damage to the my fully paid car. I have a comprehensive insurance on the car and would like to renew this October 08. Does not having anything done about the hail damage affect future accident claims or other consequences

Answer
Hi Wendy,
The longer that you hold off reporting the hail damage, the less likely it is to be covered.  Your insurance company requires that a claim be filed in  a 'reasonable time period'.If you later get damage on top of the hail damage, it's hard to sort out just where one stops and the other one starts.  Filing a hail claim does not usually affect your rate, so I suggest that you get it done ASAP.
I hope this has been of help, please write again if you have more questions.
Your feedback by rating my answer will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area 12-16-07 9:50 AM PST