In most cases, yes, your insurance will go up if you claim damages after an auto accident. However, there may be ways to minimize the rate increase while still recovering the money you need to pay for medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other losses. Understanding how insurance companies calculate rate hikes can help you make informed decisions after a crash.
Our Orlando car accident lawyers can guide you through the claims process and work with insurers on your behalf. We help clients gather evidence, document their losses, and determine whether there are ways to reduce the impact on their insurance rates. With legal support, you can focus on recovery while we handle the complex interactions with insurance companies.
How Much Do Insurance Rates Go Up After an Accident?
Generally, there is little doubt about whether or not your insurance goes up if you claim damages. It almost certainly will, except if your insurer offers an accident forgiveness policy that allows you to keep the same rate after your first accident or after a very minor collision.
The amount your rate increases depends on:
Who Was at Fault
If your negligence caused the crash, you may see a bigger rate increase than if you were following the law and fell victim to someone else’s carelessness.
How Many Accidents You Have Had
For insurance companies, everything boils down to risk. If you are involved in only one accident over a period of years, they will likely view you as a low-risk driver. This could prevent your insurance from going up too much.
If, however, you were involved in multiple crashes in the past few years, the insurer will consider you a higher risk and raise your rate accordingly.
How Serious the Crash Was
A “fender-bender” resulting in relatively minor injuries may result in a smaller rate hike than a catastrophic accident where one or both vehicles were totaled and the occupants suffered severe injuries.
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How Long Will My Insurance Rates Stay High After a Crash?
Insurance companies typically take into consideration your driving record over the past few years (precisely how long may vary from company to company).
So if you are involved in a single accident and have no further incidents, you may only have to pay the increased rate for a few years before your safe driving record brings it down again.
If you have any questions about how your insurer calculates rates or what may cause your rates to increase, you can reach out to your insurance company or to a law firm that has handled car accident cases before.
How Does the Insurer Decide How Much to Raise My Rates?
Your insurance company will send someone to investigate the accident. They will likely speak to you about what happened, request documents and photos, and collect evidence of their own.
The insurer uses this information to address each of the points listed above: who was at fault, how serious the crash was, and how many accidents you have had before. Once they feel they have a thorough understanding of the situation, they will decide how much to increase your insurance rate.
The good news is that you do not need to rely on the insurer’s assessment of what happened and how. You have the right to hire a car accident lawyer to conduct a separate investigation and find out if there are ways to prevent or minimize a rate increase.
What Are the Benefits of Filing a Claim for Damages?
The prospect of paying more for insurance might discourage some accident victims from wanting to report the accident or file a claim. However, you should keep in mind that reporting injury accidents to the police is a legal requirement in Florida.
Once you file your report, you can use it as evidence when you file an insurance claim. The money you get from a claim could help you pay for:
- All accident–related medical bills, both now and in the future
- All property damage and related expenses, including the cost of fixing your car and renting or buying a car
- Wages and job benefits you lose for as long as you are unable to work
You can also recover compensation for such non-economic losses as pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and disability.
Even though your insurance will go up if you get in a crash and claim damages, the money you get from your no-fault insurance company and/or the at-fault party’s liability insurance can be of great help as you recover.
How Do I Prove the Accident and Damages Were Not My Fault?
The evidence we use to prove that someone else was liable may depend on who that other party is. For example:
- Witness testimony and video footage can show that the other driver was behaving recklessly (e.g., speeding or running stop signs).
- Internal company records and previous complaints can show that a corporation—such as the driver’s employer or a vehicle manufacturer—was negligent.
- Your medical records, the official police report, and testimony from an accident reconstructionist can illustrate how the crash happened and what the consequences were, shedding further light on the at-fault party’s identity.
If someone else was at fault, then your rates may not rise so much. This, combined with the fact that an investigation can help establish your right to compensation, is a key reason why hiring an auto accident lawyer is in your best interests.
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What if I Have No Car Insurance at All?
If you have no insurance—for example, if you do not own a car and were injured as a pedestrian or a passenger in someone else’s vehicle—you may still be able to recover compensation from the liable party’s insurer.
If the liable party has no insurance, they are breaking the law: all Florida drivers must have car insurance. It may be more difficult to secure the compensation you need from an uninsured driver, but do not give up too soon. Our attorneys can look for ways to get you the money you need.
We Can File Insurance Claims on Your Behalf
While your insurance will generally go up if you claim damages, filing a claim is still a vital step to take after a crash, and there may be ways to minimize the rate increase.
If you want help figuring out what to do after an auto accident, call us today. Bogin, Munns & Munns is here for Florida and here for you.
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