Auto Insurance Claims: New license, homeowners insurance, drivers license

Question
QUESTION: This question comes from Texas,

My wife got a new license a little over 2 1/2 years ago (after letting it lapse for a few years).  She just ran into the side of the garage.  The repair will be rather expensive,  so we're filing a claim.  The problem is that,  while she's on the policy,  the driver's license number the insurance company has for her is the DL number from the OLD license;  the one she let lapse.  Our previous agent (who is now retired) had told us to not tell the insurance company that the number was wrong for at least 3 years,  and our three years is not up yet.  I'm afraid to tell the insurance company that she was driving (which she was),  because they might find out they have the wrong DL number for her,  I'm afraid to tell the insurance company I was driving,  for fear they might catch me in a lie,  and deny my claim as fraudulent (even though no one else saw this happen).  If I tell the insurance  company that my wife was driving,  will they raise our rates?  Please help.

ANSWER: Hi Mobe,

You must tell the truth.

They will likely not even ask for her drivers license number and if they do just give them the new one. Also the way this will work is that the damage to the car will be paid by your auto insurance after your deductible. The damage to your house will be paid by your homeowners insurance after your deductible on it. So you will have 2 deductibles you will have to pay. Or actually they will reduce the payment by the deductible.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: You said "they will likely not even ask for her drivers license number".  If we give them the new drivers license number,  won't they raise our premium?  She got this current license in December 2009,  less than 3 years ago.  My previous agent said (in response to a completely unrelated question,  a year or two ago,  when I mentioned that our insurance company had the wrong drivers license number for her,  that I shouldn't ask them to update the drivers license number until at least 3 years after this license was received (December 2012),  or the rate might go up because she's a "new" driver.  (Actually,  she's been driving for nearly 26 years,  mostly on the old license.)  And how would they know I wasn't driving,  since no one saw this accident?

BTW,  how long do I have to file a claim?  This accident happened Tuesday afternoon.

Thanks for your response,  and any advice/information you can dispense.

Answer
Hi Mobe,

I can not and will not recommend that you lie to your insurance company. I provided what I thinks is the best course of action. You, of course, may do as you feel is right for you.

You are required to report claim in a "timely manner". There is no specific definition of "Timely manner". but is you wait more than a few days you will be asked to provide an explanation of why you waited.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh