do car insurance companies hike your rates if you file a claim for someone else doing hit & run damage to you? I’ve heard stories of car insurance companies doing that–even if you had nothing to do with the damage.
I called my insurance company and they refused to give me a strait answer. I was parked when this happened, so I didn’t do *anything* to cause the accident. (I have Allstate; liability only–with uninsured motorist–I don’t have comprehensive.)
so…have you ever heard of CAR insurance rates hiked because someone filed a claim in which they had NO fault in the accident at all? (I know this happens for home insurance–but I’m only asking about CAR insurance here)
I am in Texas, if that makes a difference.
Gremio 3:57 pm on October 6, 2009
My friends went up $12/month
GIANTS_56 3:57 pm on October 6, 2009
Anytime an insurance company pays out money, somebody is going to get a rate hike. There may be mitigating factors like how long you have had the policy, multiple vehicles, multiple coverages(like auto, life, home,boat,etc. through the same company)amount of claim, etc.
steve l 3:57 pm on October 6, 2009
If your car was parked, I don’t think your uninsured motorists coverage will cover the damage. The uninsured motorists coverage only covers you if there is an accident while driving and it’s the other driver’s false and he’s uninsured. If your car was parked, only the comprehensive coverage will pay for the damage.
Dan H 3:57 pm on October 6, 2009
Your insurance company paid out for the claim. Therefore, your insurance rates go up.
Your vehicle was involved in a claim, therefore, you are a higher risk to the insurance company and your rate go up.
Sorry. There is nothing fair about insurance.
oklatom 3:57 pm on October 6, 2009
Insurance can go up with no claims, due to cost of living or any other factor they can think up.
If all you have is liability, they won’t cover the hit and run anyway. If you’re thinking "uninsured motorist" will, it won’t. Unless you can catch the person and find out he is uninsured, they don’t know he is. He could just as easily HAVE insurance that will pay you. But since you can’t find him…your insurance will do nothing. That would be a comprehensive claim. But you don’t have that coverage.
mbrcatz17 3:57 pm on October 6, 2009
Well, there are two answers to this, and I’m not trying to give you the runaround.
They can’t SURCHARGE you, and you don’t get points. So, technically, they don’t raise your rates.
HOWEVER, they CAN move you to a less-preferred subcompany (read, higher rates), and they CAN take away your no claims discount, if you’re getting one.
So the TECHNICALLY CORRECT answer is no, but the PRACTICAL answer is yes. Which is why you didn’t get that straight answer.
Which is silly. Because you don’t have any COLLISION coverage. So don’t file the claim!! There isn’t any coverage to PAY for the damage to your car!!
Marissa R 3:57 pm on October 6, 2009
Unfortunately there is no set answer. Usually one
comprehensive claim will not raise your rates. However having a few can raise your rates. Most insurers can’t tell you what the magic number is though.
I worked for one of the top 3 insurers and have quoted people who thought they were at fault for an accident- it turns out they weren’t after I ran their record and their rates went up for the not at faults. It is frustrating to be penalized for other people’s bad driving!
Do not report it since you don’t have the coverage- though you technically are supposed to report any damage to your car according to most policies. Also you should not call your agent to inquire because if you said it happened- they have to record it. If I am your agent and you told me- I have to report it.
Here is a link to an article I wrote about insurance that may help.
<br> <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/472756/5_common_insurance_questions_answered.html">5 Common Insurance Questions Answered</a>
Sorry about your accident!
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