Traffic accidents are common and unfortunately, they happen to everyone at some point in their lives. In the event that you are involved in an accident, it’s important to know what your insurance rates will likely be. There are a few factors that will affect your rates, including the severity of your injuries and the type of car you were driving.
However, there are also a number of things you can do to minimize the chances of an accident happening in the first place. In this blog post, we will explore some of the tips you should follow if you want to keep your rates low after an accident. From making sure you have valid insurance to following traffic laws, read on for everything you need to know about keeping your rates down after an accident.
What happens if I get into a crash?
If you are in a crash, your rates will go up. The reason is that if you are at fault for the accident, your rates will be higher than if someone else was at fault. In addition, if you have a lower claim history or have had less traffic tickets, your rates may also be higher. If you are injured in a crash, the insurance company may try to negotiate a lower rate with you.
How much will my rates go up?
The cost of premiums for car insurance, home insurance, and other types of insurance can vary greatly depending on a variety of factors such as your driving record, where you live, and the type of coverage you need. However, many people believe that rates will go up if someone hits them.
Generally speaking, rates for liability insurance (which covers damages that you may cause while driving) increase when your policy’s claims history rises. This means that if you have had a lot of claims made against you or your vehicle in the past, your rates will likely be higher than if you have fewer claims. Furthermore, rates for auto insurance can also increase when you are involved in an accident where the at-fault party has a history of traffic violations or accidents.
Often times, people will see their rates go up by a certain percentage even without any accidents or traffic citations. This is because insurers use data from previous claims to set their rates and they tend to adjust them upward whenever there is an indication that the customer might be more likely to file a claim in the future.
Can I get lower rates by getting uninsured motorist coverage?
If you’re a driver who doesn’t have coverage from an insurance company, your rates could go up if someone hits you. This is because uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is usually mandatory in most states. UM coverage pays for the costs of damages caused by someone who doesn’t have insurance.
Without it, the driver who hits you could end up paying all of the bills. Of course, there are certain circumstances under which getting UM coverage won’t make sense for you, such as if you have a clean driving record and have enough money to pay your own bills if something happens to your car.
Conclusion
In a word, no. Your rates will not go up simply because someone hit you – in most cases, your rates will actually go down. That’s because collision insurance is designed to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
In fact, many drivers find that their rates decrease after hitting someone as their personal auto insurance policy typically covers the damages they cause unintentionally. So don’t worry – even if you’re caught off guard and wind up getting hit by another driver, your rates won’t go up as a result.
