How To Limit The Effect Of Accidents On A Car Insurance Policy
Every driver occasionally makes a mistake, and for some drivers, those mistakes can result in accidents. It’s well known that an accident will usually result in a sudden jump in car insurance quotes. In fact, a single accident can cause a jump of 25% or more, depending on the driver’s record. Multiple accidents can make it hard to find coverage and can result in a high risk classification, which means high rates. The good news is that there are a number of steps that any driver can take to avoid such a huge jump in car insurance policy premiums. Here’s a look at a few things to do if you’ve been involved in an accident and you’re trying to limit the incident’s effect on your car insurance rates.
Your first step should be to make sure that you handle the accident correctly. Call the police if required to do so by the laws in your state. Take as many pictures as you can of the scene of the accident. If you don’t have a camera on your phone, keep an extra disposable camera with batteries in your car for this purpose. Never admit fault in an accident in any way. Always exchange information with any other drivers involved and contact your insurance company as soon as you can to report the incident. If you take the right steps, you may be able to make a smaller claim or a different type of claim that won’t affect your insurance premiums as dramatically.
After the accident has been reported and your car insurance quotes have changed because of the incident, there are still things that you can do to keep your car insurance policy affordable. Call your insurance agent and ask about discount programs. Most major insurance companies offer discounts for defensive drivers who take driver training courses. If your insurer offers this type of program, seriously consider taking courses. You could limit or even completely eliminate the accident’s effect from your record. While you’re researching discounts, it may be a good idea to find out about accident forgiveness programs offered by your insurer, which can be a worthwhile way to avoid rate hikes from future accidents.
You can also look for car insurance quotes online, which lowers your premiums by giving you more insurance options. Some drivers will even raise their deductibles or lower their coverage limits to avoid a big hit in their insurance premiums after an accident. Whatever you do, make sure that you’re still protected. As expensive as an accident can be for your car insurance rates, the costs of a major accident can be extraordinary.
