Will Filing One Claim Raise Insurance Rates By 67%?

Let’s say you are a 43-year-old employed female driver with a perfect credit score. You have had no lapse in insurance and you have filed no prior claims. How much could your annual premium increase after filing one of these claims: bodily injury, property damage and comprehensive?

A report from InsuranceQuotes.com says your auto insurance policy could increase by up to 67%, depending on where you live.

Premium increases varied significantly by state. Massachusetts saw a 67% increase as a result of filing any claim of $2,000 or more. On average, insurance rates will rise 38% after a claim, with Maryland reporting the lowest increase at 20%. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the average cost of an auto insurance premium in the U.S. is $791, so an increase of 38 percent would result in a $301 increase.

When it comes to a $2,000 or more property damage claim, insurance rates could rise as much as 73% in Massachusetts while Connecticut drivers will be faced with an average increase of 22%. California auto insurance premiums could rise by 62%, followed by New Jersey with a whopping 59% increase.

Arizona, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Washington are also among the states with the largest increase in annual premiums. However, states such as Mississippi, Oklahoma and Wyoming saw the lowest increases.

So, don’t worry too much; it’s not as bad as it seems.  Make sure you are not at fault (or live in Massachusetts) to avoid being a part of these high increases. Many consumers fear that filing insurance claims will cause them to be “blackballed” by insurance companies, resulting in loss of coverage, higher premiums, and difficulties obtaining new insurance. Unfortunately, in some cases they might be right.

So, the next time you get your auto insurance quote online or over the phone make sure to ask which insurance claim could come back to haunt you.