Insurance Information

How Much Can My Auto Rate Increase After One Accident?


Accidents almost always make your insurance rates increase. Whether or not the accident was your fault, your insurance company may have to pay for your involvement in it. Most 'at fault' accidents result in an increase in premium, because the accident will get rated against all of your coverages. When supply decreases and demand increases, costs get more expensive.

If you did not carry enough insurance at the time of your accident you may now be required to carry more insurance. Carrying more insurance equals higher premiums. Some companies may not want to offer you insurance coverage at all after you report an accident.

As I stated earlier, when you are involved in an accident your insurance company may have to pay for your claim - even if the accident was not your fault. These types of coverage - Personal Injury Protection, Medical Protection, Uninsured Motorist, and Collision - will cover you and the people in your vehicle when the accident is not your fault.

If you are 'at fault' for the accident, theses types of coverage - Personal Injury Protection, Property Damage Liability, Bodily Injury Liability, Medical Payments, Collision, and Other than collision - will help cover you, the people in your vehicle, your vehicle, the other party, and the other's party's property.

Now, if you are 'at fault' for the accident, there are various reasons why your rates will increase. The first is having your current insurance coverage premium's reflect the charge for this accident. Insurance companies usually charge 'points' to your policy at its renewal. Depending on the insurance company, these points will be charged to your policies for three, five, or even seven years.

The next more expensive rate will be if your state requires that you carry an SR-22. You will need to carry this form and its necessary coverages if you did not have enough insurance at the time of the accident. Getting an SR-22 will cause you more money and even more aggravation by spending time getting this offense taken care of.

You will need to carry this form and its required coverages for three years - whether or NOT you own a vehicle. There are some insurance companies who do not write SR-22 policies. To make sure you are carrying enough insurance to avoid this form and its required coverages, contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles.

Another way an accident can increase your rates is due to the basic macroeconomic terms, which I am sure everyone has heard of, supply and demand. When the supply is high and the demand is low as a result the price is low. Conversely, when the supply is low and the demand is high the result is the rates are higher.

This principle also applies to car insurance. When you are 'at-fault' in an accident, there are some companies who will not insure you. You have just cut the supply of insurance companies and increased your demand. As a result, your rate is higher. Like stated previously, some insurance companies will not write SR-22 policies. This further lowers the supply of insurance companies and further increases your demand. And, as a result, you will have a higher insurance rate. And when you add the insurance 'points,' you can see how expensive an accident can be.

Take preventative measures to avoid accidents. Avoid distractions, be aware of your surroundings, and do not drive in adverse weather conditions, if you have a choice. As you can see, an accident can have an impact on your rates, especially if you are at fault for it.

Visit http://www.carinsurance.com for a Car Insurance Quote in your State

John Machmiller is a representative of CarInsurance.com. You can visit CarInsurance.com at http://www.carinsurance.com or contact them at 1-877-327-8728.

CarInsurance.com's online insurance marketplace gives an opportunity to consumers and to insurance companies. We offer the ability to shop for car insurance online.

Consumers can receive quotes from many insurance companies, in some states you are able to purchase your insurance instantly, online. You don't have to drive your car to buy car insurance. Buy online... anytime!


MORE RESOURCES:

Businesses can take heart that insurance premium increases will be ...
Bizjournals.com, NC - 15 hours ago
Area businesses are bracing for another increase in health insurance premiums as budget season approaches. The average increase will be in the neighborhood ...
Harry and Louise are back, still worried about health care Bizjournals.com
Businesses keep an eye on the workers’ comp legal landscape Bizjournals.com
Rockets retire ‘It’s Time’ to run with ‘Get Red’ Bizjournals.com
all 157 news articles


Wall Street Journal

Hurricane season, insurance writing don't mix
Press-Register - al.com, AL - 42 minutes ago
One sale was canceled because of storm damage, and the other three closings were delayed up to five months to settle insurance claims. ...
Construction insurance must for firms GulfNews
Katrina Citizens Losing Insurance Cases On Appeal InjuryBoard.com
The Hartford, Travelers Dodged Major Losses From Gustav Hartford Business
Xinhua - Forbes
all 649 news articles


Gustav victims face insurance worries
USA Today - 9 hours ago
As victims of Hurricane Gustav's fury turn to their insurance companies for help in recovering from the wind and water inflicted damage to their property, ...
How to file a State Farm insurance claim Daily Comet
STORM UPDATE: Insurance info; now with State Farm claims office ... The Daily Advertiser
Louisiana Insurance Commissioner to Visit Farmers Insurance Mobile ... MarketWatch
WBXH - The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com
all 34 news articles


Time for a financial check: Got a will? Is your insurance up to date?
Kansas City Star, MO - 6 hours ago
The beneficiary form makes clear where you want your retirement account, 401(k) and life insurance to go, regardless of what your will says. ...
New Experience Retirement Website PR.com (press release)
all 2 news articles


Be aware of the limits to FDIC insurance
Palm Beach Daily News, FL - 10 hours ago
By GAIL LIBERMAN Amid a rising number of bank failures, experts want you to fully understand the FDIC's convoluted rules about exactly what its insurance ...
How to determine your bank's financial health Los Angeles Times
FDIC’s Sheila Bair says tough times still ahead Bizjournals.com
UPDATE 1-US credit problems far from over - FDIC's Bair Reuters
Housing Wire - Los Angeles Times
all 42 news articles


TPAs eye tier-2 cities to catch with insurance market growth
Economic Times, India - 1 hour ago
7 Sep, 2008, 1408 hrs IST, PTI NEW DELHI : Seeking to catch up with the accelerating growth in number of lives being covered by health insurance policies, ...


Airnetz to launch pre-paid cards with insurance cover
Economic Times, India - 1 hour ago
"An insurance cover ranging from Rs 7 lakh to 50 lakh will be an added feature," Khekade said. Airnetz also plans to open a hotline service which would ...


Paul Chamberlain Sr., insurance agent, veteran
Baltimore Sun, United States - 2 hours ago
By Frederick N. Rasmussen Paul E. Chamberlain Sr., a retired insurance agent and longtime Bel Air resident, died of cancer Aug. 30 at Stella Maris Hospice ...


Homework on insurance, insurance on home work
Baltimore Sun, United States - 2 hours ago
But too many of them may short-change themselves when it comes to buying insurance. A recent survey commissioned by the Independent Insurance Agents and ...


Loan insurance secures dependents
Economic Times, India - 10 hours ago
This has been further boosted by the upsurge of insurance companies in the private sector. They provide an important solution - security of repayment of ...

Insurance - Google News

home | site map
© 2006