You should be aware that getting into accidents will affect your insurance in many cases, although sometimes it won’t. The most important factor that determines if your rates will go up is whether the accident is your fault.
You shouldn’t have to pay higher premiums if you get into an accident that’s not your fault. However, this can vary depending on the company that you’re with. It may even depend on the language in your particular policy.
Most people get into accidents with another car in which someone is at fault. Sometimes though, you may get into an accident in which your car is the only one involved, such as running off the road in order to avoid hitting an animal. Since you’ll have the only car involved in the accident, your insurance company will hold you at fault no matter what the extenuating circumstances are, resulting in you paying more for your insurance every month.
The amount of damage that results from the accident will also affect whether your insurance goes up. The insurance company may forgive the incident as long as the damage is kept under a certain amount. This is typically $750 but it varies from company to company.
It’s best that you go as long as possible without being involved in any accidents. If you get into multiple accidents within a short period of time, then you can almost be assured that your insurance company will start charging you more. The minimum time frame is usually three years to go without having an accident.
However, this too varies from insurer to insurer. Therefore, you may want to check with your specific company regarding this policy about accidents.
Any injuries sustained in the accident will affect your insurance rate too. Your insurance company won’t like having to pay medical expenses for people who were injured in an accident in which you were at fault. Even if you weren’t at fault, you may end up paying more if there were serious injuries.
It’s never a good idea to drive drunk. If you do so and get into an accident, you will certainly pay more for insurance. Your insurance company may even decide to cancel your policy altogether since this is considered a major violation. It’s best that you drive as safely as possible. Some companies are even starting to reward drivers that go a certain period of time without being involved in an accident. The resulting discount is substantial, so you could save a lot of money.
Related Insurance Articles:
- GAP Insurance – What To Do After Totaling A Car In An Accident
- Is It Worth It To Get No-Fault Insurance?
- No-Fault Coverage Explained
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