Your insurance premium goes up whenever you\u2019re involved in what\u2019s called a \u201cchargeable accident.\u201d This is a crash or major collision<\/a> where you\u2019re deemed more than 50% at-fault<\/a> for causing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to AAA, chargeable accidents can cause your insurance premiums to go up anywhere between 20% and 25% to upwards of 90%, depending on the state you live in and your driving record. California, Delaware, and Massachusetts tend to have the biggest rate increases after an accident, while Maryland, Mississippi, North Dakota, and West Virginia tend to stay on the lower side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Pacific Northwest, premiums typically increase between 27% and 36%. A driver in Washington state, for example, could see his or her average $1,307 insurance rate jump roughly 35% if found at-fault for a chargeable accident \u2014 that\u2019s an extra $459 on the length of the policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, an Oregon driver could see his or her rate jump as high as 36%, adding $476 to their average, $1,325 policy premium. In comparison, a driver in Idaho could see a 27% increase, forcing them to pay an additional $275 on an average premium of around $1,019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people think every accident affects their rates. That\u2019s not true. There are several types of accidents that are non-chargeable and don\u2019t impact your insurance premium. Here are a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Driving records determine the rates that insurance agencies set. Before issuing a new policy or renewing the one you already have, insurers check your motor vehicle record with the state. This report lists every traffic-related incident you\u2019ve been involved in that was reported to the police. It includes all of the citations you\u2019ve received, all court convictions, all license suspensions and revocations, all license restoration dates, and whether you were insured or not when each crash or traffic stop occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many insurers also check databases like A-Plus Auto Loss History Reports and CLUE (the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) to view your past insurance claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a poor driving history, for example, have filed multiple claims, or have been involved in several serious crashes, your insurer will likely consider you high risk. And if that\u2019s the case, you\u2019ll like have to pay more for your premium than average drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your insurance premium typically gets readjusted when your insurance policy is up for renewal, which usually happens once a year. But if you\u2019re crash occurs mid-year, you\u2019ll see the higher premium reflected in your next monthly bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are things you can do to decrease your rate and clear up your driving record. Taking a driver\u2019s safety course is one way to do it. If your driving record\u2019s less than stellar, you might want to check with your insurance agent to see what options you have and make sure that your insurance policy<\/a> is up-to-date, reflecting your lifestyle and current situation accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking for accident forgiveness, here\u2019s one important note: not all car insurance agencies offer it, and some states, like California, don\u2019t even allow it. It\u2019s worth checking with your insurance agent to see if you\u2019re eligible, though there may be special terms involved. For example, accident forgiveness may only apply to one accident per policy<\/em>, not one accident per driver on the policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It usually takes around three to five years for a driving record to clear. That\u2019s how long accidents affect your rates. Once your record clears, assuming you haven\u2019t had any more accidents or insurance-related issues, you should see your premium return to a lower rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the meantime, always shop around for the most affordable rate that offers the right coverage for your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Vern Fonk, we help drivers in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington get back on the road at an affordable rate. Start your free quote online<\/a>, over the phone, or at one of our offices near you.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAccidents That Don\u2019t Affect Your Rates<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Your Driving Record Impacts Your Insurance Rate<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow Long Accidents Affect Your Rates<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n