Will your insurance premiums increase if you make a claim after an accident that wasn't your fault?

Insurance premiums

This is a difficult question to answer, because really it depends on your carrier and, possibly, California laws that govern this sort of thing.

Most likely, your carrier will consider this a "collision" loss, since your truck struck the cinder block (as opposed to a "comprehensive" loss, which among other things would include the cinder block flying off another vehicle and landing on your truck). Collision losses can result in rate revision, but not necessarily.

If you make a claim for your damages, and your carrier understands that you were unable to avoid the cinder block, they probably won't find you at-fault for this loss. So, how do you convince them that you couldn't avoid the cinder block? Mention the traffic around you; if you swerved, would you have caused a more serious accident involving another vehicle? Were you coming up over a rise, or were you traveling into the sun? Would trying to avoid the cinder block have made you hit a concrete barrier, or possibly go off the road? Likewise, it would not be in your best interest to mention you were talking on a cell phone or lighting a cigarette when suddenly you saw the cinder block and hit it.

Once you make your claim, don't rely on the claim adjuster to advise you on whether your rates will increase or not. The adjuster won't be able to help you (and for good reason. Claim departments and underwriting are kept separate so that claims handling is not influenced by the "business side" of things. Also, the claim adjuster may tell you it won't affect your rates, and then a while later you get a regular rate revision -- accident or not -- and you're left wondering why your rates increased when you were told they wouldn't).

Instead, ask to speak with underwriting or have your agent ask for you. Some companies have thresholds for collision losses -- anywhere from $500 to $1,500 -- and don't review for rate increases for losses under that amount. And, again, finding you not at-fault would be helpful.

Hope that helps.

First answer by ID0000000000. Last edit by ID0000000000. Question popularity: 137 [recommend question]