Will a single vehicle accident affect car insurance rates?
Your car insurance company will usually find you at fault for a single-car accident. Your rates may increase by $137.75/mo on average, depending on the damages.
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 23, 2024
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Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 23, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
It doesn’t matter if you are in a 10 car pileup or a minor accident, if you make an insurance claim with your insurance provider, you could expect an insurance rate increase.
Many people don’t understand that their accident doesn’t have to be the cause of reckless driving in order to see an increase in auto insurance rates.
If the auto insurance company has to write you a check, you are going to have to pay!
Here's what you need to know...
- Whenever your car insurance company has to pay money out for a claim, you could expect to see a rate hike
- Single car accidents happen through a vehicle malfunction or collision with an animal or tree
- Usually, a minor traffic incident will stay on your driving record for only a short time
How could a single vehicle accident happen?
There are a lot of reasons for different types of accidents that might occur. Your brakes could go out, you could try to avoid hitting an animal, you could lose control of your vehicle, and more.
Although a single auto accident aren’t as common as multi-car accidents, they are certainly common enough!
Not everyone will have a rate increase if they have a one-car accident.
Liability insurance isn’t designed to protect your vehicle. Liability insurance is coverage for other vehicles that are damaged in an accident that you cause.
It may be important to understand this distinction because only collision insurance provides coverage for damage to your vehicle.
If you hit an animal, a tree, wall, or flip your vehicle, if you don’t have collision coverage, then you will be responsible for the costs.
Read more: Compare Car Insurance Rates After an At-Fault Accident
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Why will my insurance increase if no other vehicles were involved?
Many people make the mistake of thinking that their insurance goes up after an accident because they get a ticket or are at fault in the accident.
The truth is, however, that the insurance company will determine an increase based on what they have to pay out after an accident.
If you are in a single-car accident and you dent your fender, then you don’t even need to make an auto insurance claim. In fact, unless the damages far exceed the amount of your deductible, then you don’t want to make a claim.
If you make a claim, even if the insurance company doesn’t have to pay you any money, you may see an increase in your auto insurance premiums.
The increase should be minor if the insurance company doesn’t have to write a check but expect an increase nonetheless.
When you report you have had an accident, it goes on your record and counts against you in terms of being a safe driver.
Keep that in mind because, in a single-car accident, the insurance company can only assume you are responsible for the accident occurring.
Will I get into trouble if I don’t report a single car accident?
First of all, if you hit a property fence, mailbox, or even a tree in someone’s yard, you need to talk to the owner about making restitution.
Will my car insurance go up if I hit a deer with my car? If you hit a deer or other animals, you don’t have to call the police and report the accident, even if there are damages to your vehicle.
You should, however, call your insurance company immediately if you are sure that you are going to file a claim.
If you aren’t making a claim and you haven’t harmed anyone else or damaged any personal or city property, then you don’t need to report the incident.
If you strike a road sign, you will be expected to make restitution. The truth is that the police aren’t likely to be breaking down your door in an effort to get money for the damages that you cause to a sign.
However, if you are caught without having reported the incident, then you could be in much deeper trouble than just hitting a sign would cause.
How long will my increase last if I make a claim?
Like with most auto accidents, it takes about three years for an accident claim to no longer affect your insurance premium.
The good news is that the smaller the claim is the less your premiums will be increased.
If you didn’t get a ticket for the accident, then you may want to consider switching car insurance companies.
If an insurance company didn’t have to pay your claim, they are more likely to give you a lower rate sooner than the company that had to pay the price for the accident.
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Case Studies: Impact of Single Vehicle Accidents on Car Insurance Rates
Case Study 1: Minor Fender Dent
The driver was involved in a single-car accident resulting in a dent on the fender. The damages did not exceed the deductible, so no insurance claim was made. However, even without a payout, the driver experienced a minor increase in their auto insurance premiums due to the accident being recorded on their driving record.
Case Study 2: Hitting a Road Sign
A driver struck a road sign causing damage to their vehicle. They reported the incident to their insurance company and filed a claim. The insurance company had to pay for the damages, resulting in an increase in the driver’s auto insurance rates. The impact of the accident on the premiums will last for approximately three years.
Case Study 3: Animal Collision Without Collision Coverage
The driver hit an animal, causing damage to their vehicle. However, since they did not have collision coverage, they were responsible for the repair costs. As no insurance claim was made, there was no immediate impact on the driver’s insurance rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my car insurance rates increase after a single vehicle accident?
In most cases, a single vehicle accident can result in an increase in your car insurance rates. Insurance companies consider various factors when determining your rates, and accidents, even if they involve only one vehicle, are generally seen as an increased risk. However, the extent of the rate increase will depend on several factors, such as the severity of the accident, your driving history, and your insurance provider’s specific policies.
How long will a single vehicle accident impact my car insurance rates?
The impact of a single vehicle accident on your car insurance rates can vary depending on several factors. Typically, accidents remain on your driving record for a few years, and insurance companies may consider them when calculating your premiums during that time. However, the specific duration can vary between insurance providers and the regulations of your state. It’s best to consult your insurance company or agent for more precise information regarding the impact and duration of an accident on your rates.
Are there any circumstances where a single vehicle accident may not affect my insurance rates?
While it’s generally expected that a single vehicle accident will impact your car insurance rates, there may be certain circumstances where it won’t have a significant effect. For example, if the accident is deemed to be not your fault or if it resulted from unforeseen events beyond your control (e.g., extreme weather conditions), your insurance provider might not penalize you with a rate increase. However, it’s essential to review your policy and discuss the specific details of your accident with your insurance company to determine how it might impact your rates.
Can I prevent my insurance rates from increasing after a single vehicle accident?
Preventing insurance rate increases after a single vehicle accident can be challenging, but there are steps you can take to potentially mitigate the impact. Firstly, promptly report the accident to your insurance company and provide accurate details about the incident. Additionally, if you have accident forgiveness coverage or a similar feature in your policy, it may protect you from a rate increase for your first accident. It’s also beneficial to review your policy and consider options such as increasing your deductible or exploring discounts that could help offset the potential rate increase.
Should I file an insurance claim for a single vehicle accident?
It’s generally advisable to file an insurance claim for a single vehicle accident, especially if the damages are significant. Even if you believe the accident is minor or don’t see any immediate visible damage, there might be underlying issues that become apparent later on. Reporting the incident to your insurance company allows them to assess the situation and provide guidance on the appropriate steps to take. However, it’s important to note that filing a claim could potentially impact your insurance rates, so it’s best to evaluate the situation and consult with your insurance provider before making a decision.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.