My rule of thumb is that I won’t submit a claim on a loss that is less than twice my deductible.
So for a $250 deductible on an auto loss, I’ll pay out of pocket any loss up to $500.
Why? The $250 I’d receive from my insurance company is not worth the increased premiums I’m likely to pay.
You may want to call your insurance agent to find out how a claim will impact your premiums before filing the claim.