If you have ever been in an accident, you have likely seen your premiums go up. It is not a myth, but your insurance rates will indeed increase after an accident. This is due to the insurance company believing you are a higher risk to insure and estimating your future crash risk. However, there are ways to avoid a rate bump, including working with our car accident attorneys in Harrisburg, PA.
The Reasons for Insurance Rate Increases After a Crash
Insurance companies only care about their bottom line. The more accidents you get into in which you are considered at fault, the more the insurance company might increase their rates to make it worthwhile for them to insure you.
You are Seen as a Higher Risk to Insure
The more accidents you have, the more surcharges you will receive. These additional charges added to your premium can significantly increase your rates. However, if you have a clean driving history before your accident, the insurance company may be more lenient with rate increases.
Your Risk of Future Accidents Increases
If you are involved in multiple accidents or have been involved in several accidents in a short time span, the insurance company will place you in a high-risk category. Given your accident history, insurance will consider your propensity toward future collisions to be greater. These increased premiums may seem unfair, but they serve to offset the payouts that insurance companies project based on your driving record.
Ways to Avoid a Spike in Your Premium
As it stands, around 58% of Americans feel like they pay too much for car insurance. If you want to avoid a spike in your premium, you will want to prove the other driver’s fault for the crash. Never take responsibility for something that is not your fault, and get the insurance claim resolved quickly. By admitting partial responsibility, you reduce your claim payout. Especially if you do not share fault, then this only hurts you financially.
Furthermore, you will want to see if your insurance company offers accident forgiveness. This program allows an insurer not to raise your premiums, even if you are at fault for the accident. For most companies, you must have a certain amount of time accident-free before you qualify. However, this will only apply to the first at-fault accident; after that, your premiums will likely increase.
How Can a Harrisburg Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Our nation’s roads are dangerous, but that does not mean that you should automatically pay a higher premium for being involved in a crash. A Harrisburg car accident attorney will assess your situation to decide what evidence is needed to prove you lack fault and to establish the other driver’s role in the accident. A car accident lawyer will look for videos, photographs, and physical evidence to piece together what happened. If anyone witnessed the accident, you must get their names and numbers in case you need to have them testify.
A car accident lawyer will also negotiate compensation with the insurance company, making sure that you are covered for your losses. By establishing that you are not at fault, we will help to keep your premiums at a reasonable cost.
Speak with a Harrisburg Car Accident Lawyer Today
A car accident can throw a wrench in your present and plans. Between lost wages, medical expenses, and vehicle damage, you may fear there is no way to regain financial security. At Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, our Harrisburg car accident attorneys have given hundreds of clients the financial resources they need to succeed. If you have recently been injured in a collision, our legal team is prepared to assist you in filing your claim. To arrange your free consultation, contact us online or by calling (717) 229-6580.