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Getting involved in a car accident can be frustrating. In this article, we will discuss whether your insurance went up if the accident wasn’t your fault. There are two types of accidents, at-fault and no-fault accidents. If you’re at fault in the auto accident, you can expect that your insurance cost will increase. How about if you’re not at fault? Read more.
Does your car insurance cost increase in a no-fault accident?
Well, usually, if you’re not at fault for the accident, your car insurance rate will not increase. Thus, the other driver’s insurance provider who is at fault will be accountable for your vehicle repairs and medical expenses. Your premiums will not go up if your insurer does not use money. Usually, a St Louis truck accident attorney can help make sure the person at fault gives you what you deserve.
In most states, a non-fault claim can be filed against the car insurance policy of the at-fault driver. With this, your car insurance cost will not increase. Keep in mind that the increasing rates of various insurers are different. If your premiums go up after a no-fault accident, it may rise by 10%, or some insurers may charge 2% more.
Does your no-fault accident appear on your driving record?
Your no-fault accident will still appear on your driving record. If ever a negligent driver rear-ends your car at a stoplight and causes the rear bumper to fall off, you can contact your auto insurance provider. Then, you can file a claim to get compensation for the repair expenses.
As you make a claim and get money from your insurance provider, it will appear on your driving record; even if you're not accountable for the accident. In fact, your car insurance claim will remain on your driving record for about 3 to 5 years. However, the duration can differ based on the state where you live and the collision’s severity.
The following are examples of how long do various kinds of accidents stay on your driving record:
Minor collision - 5 years
No-fault accident - 3 years
DUI crash - 10 years
Hit and run accident - 8 years
Situations when your insurer raise your premiums due to a no-fault crash
Even though some insurers don’t raise your premiums when you’re not at fault, some instances may go up. For example, if the other driver who hits your car is uninsured, your insurer will be responsible for paying compensation for the vehicle damage and injuries you sustain due to the incident.
This coverage can protect you from financial losses due to the accident with an at-fault driver who doesn’t have enough or any coverage.
If the at-fault driver fled the scene, your insurer could raise your premiums if you want to file a non-fault claim. This claim has lower surcharges than an at-fault claim.
How you can reduce your rates if you’re in a no-fault accident
There are some ways to lower the rates if you’re not at fault in a car accident. These include the following:
Bundle your policies
If you bundle your policies together, you can get a discount. You can also get a lower rate if you purchase life or home insurance with the same insurer.
Look for discounts
You should take advantage of the discounts provided by your insurer. You may qualify for some discounts, including the following:
Policy bundling
Paying premium in full
Insuring different vehicles
Remains claims-free
Take a defensive driving course
Raise your deductible
Raising the deductible can reduce your insurance premium. For example, if your current deductible is $500, raising it to $1000 can reduce your annual rate. Meanwhile, you should raise your deductible if you can only pay the extra money toward the claim/
Shop around
Another way to lower your rate in a no-fault accident is to shop around. You can get quotes from different providers. You can also get another insurer to offer you a lower rate and get more discounts.
Conclusion
To sum it up, your insurance may go up if the accident wasn’t your fault. It can depend on some situations like what we mentioned above. In addition, it can also depend on your car insurer. If you’re not at fault, you should call your insurance company and talk to an attorney to cover your needs after the accident.