Sometimes, when you end up in an accident, especially when you’re at-fault, your rates will be increased by your insurance company.
You probably don’t want your rates to increase after an accident. To prevent this from happening, keep the following tips in mind:
Avoid Liability
One of the primary factors determining if you’ll see a rate increase is if you’re found at fault for your accident.
Your rates are much more likely to increase if you are found at fault for your accident. Perhaps the best way to avoid being found at fault for an accident is by hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer who handles car accident cases. Lawyers can hire experts like accident reconstruction specialists who can help prove that you weren’t at fault for your accident.
In addition, Missouri is a pure comparative negligence state. This means you can be found partially at fault for an accident. The higher percentage of fault attributed to you, the larger the insurance increase you can expect. Hiring a injury lawyer is a good way to minimize the percentage of fault assigned to you after an accident that was partially your fault.
Utilize an Accident Forgiveness Program
You can avoid rate increases after accidents by taking advantage of accident forgiveness programs. Many insurers offer this benefit, which prevents premiums from increasing after a first at-fault accident. The availability and specific eligibility requirements will vary by insurer.
Most of these programs:
- Only apply to the first at-fault accident in a specific period of time
- Don’t remove accidents from driving records – they just prevent accidents from impacting insurance premiums
Accident forgiveness is sometimes included as a perk for drivers who are safe, but other insurers require you to buy it.
Accident forgiveness can be obtained by:
Having a clean driving record: You typically need 3-5 years without major violations or accidents.
Being a customer for a long time: Some insurers reward their customers’ loyalty with accident forgiveness programs.
Buying it: You could be able to purchase it if it isn’t automatically provided by your insurer.
These programs can be added to policies when first purchasing them or when renewing them.
Negotiating With Insurers
If you do see an insurance premium raise in price after your accident, you shouldn’t assume that you need to accept this increase in price without questioning it. Sometimes, you might be able to dispute unfair increases or negotiate lower rates.
Contact Your Insurance Company to Review your Rate Increase
Should you get faced with a premium price increase, call your insurer to understand exactly why your rates increased. You should:
- Ask if your increase was solely because of your accident or if additional factors played a role.
- Verify that their information about your accident is correct, like claim amounts and fault determination.
- If this conversation uncovers an error, ask for a correction, providing supporting documentation like claim records or police reports.
Beyond accident liability, vehicle defects can also impact your claim outcome and insurance rates. If manufacturing issues or defects in your vehicle contributed to the accident or injury severity, consulting with a lemon law attorney may provide additional legal remedies and compensation options that insurance alone cannot cover.
Leverage Your History of Clean Driving
Use it to your advantage if this is only your first at-fault accident. Some insurance companies might be willing to reduce rate hikes, especially when you’re a long-time customer.
Emphasize:
- How long you’ve gone without an accident
- Your history of policy loyalty and on-time premium payments
- Any completed defensive driving courses
Consider a New Policy
If your insurance company refuses to budge on your rate increase, shop around for a superior deal. Compare multiple insurers’ quotes.
