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If a car accident is not your fault, your insurance rate could still go up, depending on your state and insurance company. On average, a not-at-fault accident makes insurance costs go up by about 12%, compared to 45% for an at-fault accident.
Insurance rates can go up after a not-at-fault accident because statistics show that having any accident on your driving record makes you more likely to file a claim in the future. And in some situations, not-at-fault accidents can still cost insurers money.
California and Oklahoma are the only two states that prohibit insurance companies from raising rates after not-at-fault accidents. In states where it is allowed, the exact amount that your premium will go up depends on your insurance company. As of 2017, for example, Progressive increased premiums by an average of 16.6% after a not-at-fault accident. Meanwhile, Allstate only increased rates by 4.8%, and drivers with State Farm didn’t see their rates go up at all.
Situations Where Your Insurance Company Has to Pay
In most cases, your insurance company won’t have to pay for a not-at-fault accident since the other driver’s policy will cover your expenses. But if you’re hit by an uninsured motorist or you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, your policy might cover the damages depending on what types of coverage you have. Liability insurance alone wouldn’t cover your expenses, but other types including collision and uninsured/underinsured motorist would. And if you live in a no-fault state, your insurance company will have to pay for your medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. As a result, any cost to your insurer will be taken into consideration when your insurer is re-evaluating your premium.
Although it’s frustrating to be charged for an accident that wasn’t your fault, the effects on your premium will only be temporary. Accidents usually only stay on your driving record for three years, so if you continue to practice safe driving habits during that time, your rates will eventually go back down.
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