Having a Pennsylvania car accident is an all-time low. You are already feeling bad about what happened when your insurance company tells you the bad news that your rates are going to go up. As if you did not already have enough to worry about with the car repair bills and medical costs and now you have to concern yourself with paying more for insurance. What you may wonder is how much will your costs go up?
CBS News explains that auto insurance costs are variable because insurance companies base pricing on factors that are unique to each individual. The same is true when it comes to how much your rates may jump after an accident. It is difficult to pin down exactly how much they may charge you. Complicating things is that another insurer may charge you less. This is why you should always shop around for insurance in the first place.
A large part of your insurance rates is based on risk. Once you file a claim, you are a larger risk, so the company will expect you to pay more money for services. A study showed an average of a 41% increase in rates after one accident. If you have two accidents in one year, your rates will likely almost double.
This is assuming the accident was your fault. If you were not at fault, then insurers usually do not increase your rates. After all, it was more bad luck on your part than a lack of skill or bad driving since someone else caused the accident. This information is for education and is not legal advice.