If you make an uninsured motorist claim, your insurance rates might go up. Yet, whether your premiums are raised and by how much depends on your insurance provider. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you should forgo filing a claim. You have options after an accident involving an uninsured motorist.
Insurance Companies Are Not Prohibited from Raising Your Rates
The Insurance Information Institute (III) notes that one out of every eight drivers does not carry auto insurance. If you’re involved in a collision with an uninsured motorist, you can:
- File an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance company
- Sue the at-fault party
Which Insurance Companies Raise Rates After Uninsured Collisions?
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) released a study in 2017 noting that, in general, these insurance companies raise rates after collisions:
- Progressive
- GEICO
- Farmers
- Allstate
The study found that State Farm usually does not raise rates after collisions. Furthermore, this study does not pertain to California and Oklahoma.
Your Insurance Company Can Raise Your Rates Without Telling You
Kelley Blue Book (KBB) notes that many insurance companies can raise your rates without giving notice. Sometimes, an insurance company may raise your rates for no reason, and you might not even notice it.
You have the right to ask your insurance company why it increased your rates and by how much they were raised. This is your right as a paying customer. While asking the insurance company about your raised premiums may not lower your rates, it can provide answers to your questions.
What Can Cause My Insurance Rates to Go Up After a Collision?
Because each insurance company responds differently to collisions, there’s no way to know how much your premiums will go up––or if they will at all. These factors could make your premiums increase:
- Your overall claims history
- The insurance company
- The city or state you live in
- Accident forgiveness programs
- How long you’ve been a customer
- Your age and gender
- The insurance policy you have
The insurance company may consider other factors when assessing your situation.
Options After an Accident with an Uninsured Motorist
Even if you’re worried that filing a claim will increase your rates, you shouldn’t forgo seeking damages. Financial recovery could account for your medical bills, lost income, and a host of other injury-related expenses. Paying a bit more in premiums each month might not even compare to the funds you can recover.
You can also get help from a car accident lawyer, like the ones on our team. Our attorneys can help with:
- Filing your claim correctly
- Communicating with adjusters
- Disputing undervalued or denied claims
- Negotiating financial recovery
- Minimizing out-of-pocket costs
- Investigating who was at fault
- Compiling evidence
- Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit
The latter can allow you to recover damages directly from the at-fault driver. Even if your insurance company increases your premiums, you could help mitigate that cost through financial recovery from a personal injury lawsuit.
What if You Don’t Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Depending on where you live, your state may require that you carry uninsured motorist coverage. It might even be included as part of your policy without your knowledge. However, if you don’t have this type of coverage, you still have legal options––namely, suing the at-fault driver.
Filing a lawsuit involves:
- Establishing your damages’ cost
- Filing your lawsuit to the appropriate offices
- Evaluating the other party’s role in your accident
- Demonstrating your accident’s cause
- Presenting your case to the judge and jury
- Filing your case within the applicable statute of limitations
You Can Partner with Our Team on Your Car Accident Case
You might be concerned about pursuing damages after an accident with an uninsured driver. Your insurance rates going up may even be the least of your concerns. Yet, when you partner with our car accident team, you only have to worry about one thing: getting better.
You can trust our team to manage everything your case involves, from exploring your insurance coverage options to pursuing what you need. Not only will we seek damages for each of your losses, but we will manage all dealings with the insurance company.
If the insurance company chooses to increase your rates, we’ll tell you, so you know what to expect.
We’re Ready To Listen to Your Story and Provide Legal Help
You may not think to consult a car accident attorney for an insurance problem, but the team at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ has been working with injured claimants since 2002.
If you’re worried about your insurance rates going up if you file an uninsured motorist claim, we can evaluate your case for free. We’ll discuss your options for financial recovery through insurance as well as other avenues. Call today: 1 (855) PRO-LAWYERS.
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