Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up If a Wreck Is Not My Fault?

There’s never anything simple when it comes to dealing with the aftermath of a car wreck. However, one of the last things that drivers who are the victims of a car accident expect is that their car insurance rates will go up if they file a not-at-fault claim following the incident. Unfortunately, in some cases, it can happen.

Could Your Car Insurance Rates Go Up If You File a Not-at-Fault Claim?

The Balance, a financial news and advice website, featured an article on not-at-fault claims and how they can unexpectedly raise your car insurance rates. Per the report, in most states, car accident victims file not-at-fault insurance claims with the insurance company of the driver responsible for the wreck. If you file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier, you should not have to worry about your insurance rates going up.

In some cases, you may not be able to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance for some reason, such as you were involved in a hit-and-run or the other driver is an uninsured motorist. If this happens, you may have to file a not-at-fault claim with your own car insurance company. This is where you could run into trouble. If you file a not-at-fault claim with your insurance carrier, there is a chance that your car insurance rates could go up as a result. Generally, it depends on your car insurer’s policies regarding not-at-fault insurance claims.  In North Carolina, there is no increase in your premium if you file a claim for a hit and run accident or file uninsured/underinsured claims.

Some auto insurance providers will not increase your rates if you file a not-at-fault insurance claim with them. Others will only raise your rates if you file three or more not-at-fault claims with them within three years. However, there are car insurance companies that will raise your rates if you file a claim with them whether you were at fault for the wreck or not. The final result depends on your state.

Usually, your rates will not increase as much if you were not at fault for the accident as they would if you were. Still, an increase is an increase. If you are unsure if your insurance company would increase your rates if you filed a not-at-fault insurance claim with them, you should call your insurance carrier and find out. If they do, it may be worth it to shop around for another insurance company that will not increase your rates if you file a not-at-fault claim with them.