Hi Scott, While I agree with you that filing a claim with your insurance company if there happens something that cannot be controlled by yourself, or the environment, however, this was an accident, and one perpetrated by one who was lax in his responsibility in that they drove drunk.
This is not held against you when filing a claim because circumstances were not under your control. The same goes for flooding, acts of God and the like. While acts of God, like lightening strikes, earthquakes or damage resulting from the weather will require the payment of a deductible, in the case of a drunk ramming into your fence, it's a no brainer, and the company will recoup their losses from the driver's insurance company. If the company cannot recoup it's losses from a third party, then yes, it will be placed on your record, and a deductible will need to be paid. At least, that's how it works up here in Canada with insurance companies. Victor
