Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After I File a Claim? What Drivers Should Know

Every state enforces different car accident laws and car insurance laws. In most states, drivers are required to have liability insurance to pay for damages they cause to others. In others, drivers must have no-fault insurance and file claims against their own policies, regardless of fault. You may wonder after an accident, “Will my car insurance rates go up after I file a claim?” The answer depends on your policy and the specific details of your accident.

Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After I File A Claim?

Every year in the US, car accidents are a leading cause of accidental injuries, accidental deaths, property damage, and lost productivity. Every state has different car accident laws, and you should know your state’s laws so you know what to expect after an accident.

The National Safety Council reported that in 2024, there were about 4.9 million medically consulted injuries, 42,789 deaths, and about $559.3 billion in losses from car accidents nationwide. The two main forms of car insurance required throughout the US are liability insurance and no-fault insurance: 

• If you live in a fault state, you are likely required to have liability insurance in your car insurance policy that covers bodily injuries and property damage. If you damage someone else’s vehicle and/or injure them in an accident, this insurance can pay for the damages you caused, up to your policy’s coverage limits.
• If you live in a no-fault state, your policy is likely to include Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which can pay for medical expenses and other losses after an accident. You would file this type of claim against your own policy, regardless of fault, but you may have grounds for legal action against an at-fault driver if you suffered a severe injury.

It is important that you fully understand the terms and conditions of your auto insurance policy so you know exactly when your insurance rates may increase. Generally, if you are not at fault for an accident, then you should not see an increase in your car insurance rates unless specifically stipulated by your insurance policy. However, there are exceptions to this.

Your insurance company may increase your rates if you are involved in multiple accidents within a short period of time, even if they were not your fault at all. The insurance company may decide that you are a higher-risk driver than previously assessed and use this as justification to increase your rates. If you are found at fault for an accident, then your policy could stipulate that your rate will increase by a predetermined amount.

Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

Regardless of your state’s car accident laws, it is always worth having legal counsel you can trust on your side after an accident, especially if you believe that someone else is to blame. A skilled car accident attorney can help you navigate your state’s car accident laws, deal with insurance companies on your behalf, and ultimately help you recover your losses.

Bliven Law Firm, P.C. has years of proven experience handling car accident claims for clients throughout Montana, and we know the tactics that auto insurance carriers often use against injured victims in their efforts to minimize claim payouts. If you are worried about your car insurance rates increasing after an accident, we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney.

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