Auto and Car Insurance

Will my car insurance rates go up in a single car accident?

Have had a perfect driving record for 20 years, last week on my way to work, hit black ice, and car overturned in the ditch - car was a total loss. Do you think my rates will rise? No injuries or property damage, just a totalled car from the crash. Have been with the same insurance company with no previous claims the past 10+ years.

Public Comments

1. Yes I think it will still go up but not alot.
2. depends on company. my dad turned in the door on his impala got hit in parking lot. they raised his rates. now i had a fender bender with a pole with his car and he won't turn in as he's afraid his rates will go up again. this is my first accident so i don't know if my old company would have raised mine or not.
3. No, your first accident is forgiven in MOST states. I would ask your agent since you already reported it.
4. For automobile insurance the obvious way to get a fantastic quote is do a rate comparison on car policies. Make certain that you choose similar options with the same limits, auto model, zip code, etc so that all things are an accurate comparison. What I most often recommend is an internet comparison quote at http://www.lowratetoday.com since they have discount insurers and can give multiple quotes on auto insurance polices.
5. no it should not go up. If it does get a new ins. co.
6. It really depends. The agent can be the one to give you the best information. When I totaled my car at 16 my rates went up a ton, but over ten years later when I got into a fender bender (the insurance co had to pay out about $1000) my rates actually went DOWN because of the way that the insurance policy was written and the number of years driving I had.
7. First it depends on your state. If you are in NH, they can't surcharge you for a one car accident, even if you total the car. Then, it depends on your company. Some have first accident forgiveness after you have been with the same company more than 3 or 5 yrs. Some have first accident forgiveness up to a certain amount (like only up to $10,000, above that is chargable). Some don't have any first accident forgiveness. The best place to find out is your agent.
8. It really depends on the insurance company. In most cases no, but some of them might be pretty strict. Also, a good resource is... http://www.safelinked.info/go.php?link=insurance Best of luck to you.
9. Help yourself:) You can easily check how your quotes will change in internet, for example here: http://autoinsurance.bebto.com I guess it will not change a lot cause 20 years of perfect driving is a fantastic thing.