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:

Bradenton Herald

State lifts ban on Allstate selling new insurance policies
Chicago Tribune, United States - 16 hours ago
s insurance companies can resume selling new car insurance and other policies in Florida, the state's insurance regulator said Friday. ...
State allows Allstate to sell new insurance policies Daytona Beach News-Journal
Florida Insurance Commissioner McCarty Stays Allstate Suspension ... NewsReleaseWire.com (press release)
Florida OIR stays Allstate suspension Bizjournals.com
Orlando Sentinel - Chicago Tribune
all 251 news articles


Milestones: Local insurance man knows the meaning of true commitment
Bizjournals.com, NC - 15 hours ago
As noteworthy as Deane Myer's 61 years of service to the insurance industry is, a more impressive milestone will come early this summer when he and his wife ...
North Miami affordable project burdened by $400000 in liens Bizjournals.com
Don't start that meeting cold; get the workers warmed up first Bizjournals.com
Private banks serve wealthy clientele Bizjournals.com
Bizjournals.com
all 95 news articles


Cameroon: Insurers Worried Over Ignorance of Insurance Policy
AllAfrica.com, Washington - 14 hours ago
The Association of Insurance Companies in Cameroon, ASAC, is worried that many Cameroonians appear not to realise or bother about the importance of ...


Markel American Insurance Company Announces Release of ...
FOXBusiness - 6 hours ago
WAUKESHA, Wisc., May 16, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ ----Markel American Insurance Company is pleased to announce the release of their ...


New Insurance Could Reduce Borrowers' Costs
Washington Post, United States - 15 hours ago
By Jack Guttentag Last week, I described a proposal for a new type of mortgage insurance called mortgage payment insurance, or MPI. ...


Company fined for offenses under Workplace Safety and Insurance Act
FOXBusiness - 6 hours ago
These are violations under Section 149(1) of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. The matter proceeded by way of an Agreed Statement of Facts and a Joint ...


More banks eye non-life insurance businesses
Economic Times, India - 15 hours ago
NEW DELHI: More banks are expected to venture into non-life insurance businesses, according to sources in the government, following SBI’s recent initiative ...


CBS News

Pentagon workers' comp plan blasted
CNN - May 15, 2008
Waxman made the remarks Thursday, when a hearing began to examine "allegations of waste and abuse in the procurement of Defense Base Act insurance. ...
US House committee investigates potential insurance fraud in Iraq JURIST
Pentagon program gouging taxpayers, panel says Winston-Salem Journal
Contractors, insurance firms gouging taxpayers, panel says San Jose Mercury News
all 186 news articles


Elliott Frankel's tips on lost insurance policies
Newsday, NY - 4 hours ago
The problem: I have no doubt that an insurance policy exists for a relative who recently passed away. However, none was located at the time of his death, ...


Former UK resident advised to get insurance
Toronto Star,  Canada - 3 hours ago
... United Kingdom who aren't normally resident in Britain have to pay for hospital treatment while in the country, so make sure you have medical insurance. ...

Insurance - Google News

home | site map
© 2006