In California, there are thousands of car accidents per year. Data from the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) shows that there has been an average of 178,304 car accidents with injuries per year over the last five years. When a car accident occurs, not only will you have to deal with any injuries, but you’ll likely experience an increase in your insurance rates. This amount is based on several different factors, but the bottom line is that you can expect an increase whenever you’re involved in a car accident–even if it wasn’t your fault.
A car accident is far from an ideal situation, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Like you, thousands of drivers across California and the rest of the United States find themselves asking the same question, especially after being involved in a car accident where there are injuries and property damage.
Maison Law Helps California Car Accident Victims
No matter what the circumstances are around your car accident, Maison Law can help. Our team of experienced, dedicated California car accident lawyers can not only assist you with making a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company, but we can also answer any questions you may have about how the accident will affect your own insurance policy.
If you would like to get started with a free consultation, contact us today.
How Long Does a Car Accident Impact Insurance Rates?
The length of time that a car accident will impact your insurance rates can vary depending on the specifics of your situation and the policies of your insurance company. Some insurance companies may only consider accidents that have occurred within a certain time frame, such as the past three to five years when determining your insurance rates. Other factors that may influence the length of time that an accident will affect your insurance rates include:
- The severity of the accident
- Whether or not you were at fault
- Whether or not you have a history of accidents or traffic violations
It’s also worth noting that some states have laws that limit how long an insurance company can use an accident to increase your rates. Under California law, insurance companies are prohibited from increasing rates due to an accident that occurred more than 36 months ago. So, any car accident that you were in more than three years ago will not impact your insurance rate.
Still, you can expect a car accident to have a greater impact on your insurance rates if it was your fault, if there was significant damage to your vehicle or other property, or if there were injuries involved. If you were not at fault and there was minimal damage, your insurance rates may not be affected as much.
Why Does a Car Accident Increase Insurance Rates?
Generally speaking, car insurance rates are based on statistics. Thus, if data shows that you have a higher probability of being in a car accident, the more they’ll try to adjust the price of your insurance premium to reflect this. This is especially true if you have a history of car accidents.
As mentioned above, accidents, where you are at-fault, are more heavily factored into your insurance rates than an accident where you’re not at fault. However, simply being in an accident will impact your rate. The good news is that after you can show improvement in your driving record or are just able to steer clear of any accidents, your insurance rates will go back down.
How To Lower Your Car Insurance Rates After Being In An Accident
Because a car accident can be so impactful on your insurance rates, it may be helpful to look at some of the ways that you can lower your car insurance rates after being in an accident. There are a few steps you can take to try to lower your car insurance rates in these situations:
- Shop around – After an accident, it’s a good idea to compare rates from multiple insurance companies to see if you can find a better deal. It may be difficult to find a policy that offers the same coverage at the same price you were paying before the accident, but there are many options out there in terms of policy options and discounts for coverage.
- Update your current coverage – A quick way to lower your insurance rates is to update your coverage or change your auto policy. You should always consult with your insurance agent prior to doing this, and you should also need to remember that California law has minimum policy threshold limits for car accidents. Driving with coverage lower than those limits could lead to heavy consequences.
- Increase your deductible – This is a little counterintuitive, but a higher deductible can lower your premiums. While it’s more money out of pocket up front, it could save you money in the long run. Still, it’s important to make sure you can afford the higher deductible if you do get into another accident.
- Maintain a good driving record – Probably the easiest way to lower your insurance rate is to maintain a good driving record. This will help you avoid getting tickets or putting yourself in dangerous situations where another car accident could occur. In addition, some insurance companies offer discounts for drivers who have completed a defensive driving course. Completing such a course may also make you a safer driver, which can help to lower your rates over time.
It’s important to keep in mind that the specifics of how to lower your insurance rates after an accident will depend on your insurance company and your individual policy. You should contact your insurance company directly to discuss your options and ask about any discounts or other ways you can lower your rates.
Connect With Maison Law To Discuss Your Options
Being in a car accident is a stressful event, because not only does it commonly cause physical injuries, but also hurts you financially. When your insurance goes up after an accident, it can feel extremely frustrating. However, going up against an insurance company is something that our experienced team of California car accident lawyers at Maison Law is well-versed in.
We may be able to help you if your car insurance rates have increased after an accident, and can help you with any other issues that have arisen out of your car accident. To learn more, contact us today for a free consultation.
