It is very possible to be in a car accident and not have your insurance rate increase. Every car accident is evaluated on a case-to-case basis. If you are seeking to prevent your insurance rates from rising after a car accident, it is imperative to know the facts about the different types of car accidents and the specific policies from your auto insurance company.
A “chargeable” accident is where you are the driver that caused the car accident. If you are more responsible for the collision than the other driver (at least 51 percent at fault), your insurance rate may increase. Chargeable accidents may cause damages that include the destruction of property, bodily injury, and/or death.
Luckily, all accidents are not chargeable and will not affect your insurance rate whatsoever. Each auto insurance company policies varies, but most may include the following when it comes down to non-chargeable violations:
A “chargeable” violation is receiving any ticket or citation. This type of violation may include driving while under the influence, driving while your license is suspended or revoked, failure to stop and report an accident you were involved in by leaving the scene, committing a felony while operating your car, or a speeding ticket. Anyone on your insurance policy can affect the insurance rate you pay by being involved in a “chargeable” accident or a “chargeable” violation.
Despite that, there are non-chargeable violations such as the failure to display your license plate, failure to show your license, failure to display your registration card, failure to wear your seat belt, failure to provide proof of insurance, and many more.
The severity of an accident, policy details, and your driving history all play a large role in deciding if your insurance rate will go up. Driving records usually goes back 3 years to display any car insurance claim such as tickets, violations, or convictions that will essentially make your insurance more expensive. If you’ve been in multiple accidents or received several tickets within those 3 years, these claims will stack on each other and may lead to a financial burden. It is very important to remember to keep your driving history as clear as possible since your auto insurance cost is influenced by it.
Your responsibility for an accident is one of the main factors that will determine if the rate of your insurance will rise. All car accident cases are different, and a car accident attorney can work with you to navigate the difficult experience. One way to prevent being blamed for an accident you did not cause is to never admit fault and never apologize. Doing this may cause the other driver to use what you said against you. However, a statement from the other driver admitting to their faults or being apologetic may dramatically help you prove your innocence after an accident has occurred. Another way to prove you are not at fault is by gathering information. It is extremely important to gather physical evidence and take pictures. Focus on taking pictures of the damages on the vehicle(s) and pictures of the scene at different angles. It is also good to check for local cameras outside or cameras installed in your car if you have a recording system. Lastly, obtaining a police report can be a massive help since law enforcement usually proves who is at fault in a car accident.