Anamarie Waite, Car Insurance Writer
@anamarie.waite
You should always call your insurance company if you get into an accident involving another driver whether you are at fault or not, especially if the accident caused injuries or property damage. Even if you are not at fault, you may still want to use coverage from your insurance policy, like collision or medical payments coverage. If you want to file a claim, you’ll be required to notify your insurance company as soon as possible after an accident.
Your insurance company can also help you work with the at-fault driver’s insurer. They will assist with investigating the claim and establishing fault, and they can defend you if the other driver tries to file a claim against you. In most states, not-at-fault claims are filed with the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, which makes it less likely your rates will go up. If you have to file a claim against your own policy, it’s more likely your rates will increase. But it is possible that your insurance company gets reimbursed for the cost of your claim and decides not to raise your rate.
It’s common for insurance companies to raise rates even if the accident is not your fault, especially if you live in one of the 12 no-fault states. Drivers in no-fault states file claims with their own insurance company no matter who is at fault, and they almost always see premiums go up after an accident. The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) found that at least four of the nation’s largest insurers increased rates after a not-at-fault claim.
Average Increase After a Not-at-Fault Claim
- Progressive: 16.6%
- Geico: 14.1%
- Farmers: 11.1%
- Allstate: 4.5%
- State Farm: 0%
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