Will my car insurance rates go up in a single car accident?

car insurance
david H asked:


Have had a perfect driving record for 20 years, last week on my way to work, hit black ice, and car overturned in the ditch – car was a total loss. Do you think my rates will rise? No injuries or property damage, just a totalled car from the crash. Have been with the same insurance company with no previous claims the past 10+ years.

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

Amanda G October 17, 2008 at 6:47 am

Yes I think it will still go up but not alot.

appygirl October 20, 2008 at 6:36 am

depends on company.
my dad turned in the door on his impala got hit in parking lot. they raised his rates. now i had a fender bender with a pole with his car and he won’t turn in as he’s afraid his rates will go up again.
this is my first accident so i don’t know if my old company would have raised mine or not.

nn200404 October 21, 2008 at 9:58 am

No, your first accident is forgiven in MOST states. I would ask your agent since you already reported it.

georgianna K October 23, 2008 at 4:57 pm

For automobile insurance the obvious way to get a fantastic quote is do a rate comparison on car policies. Make certain that you choose similar options with the same limits, auto model, zip code, etc so that all things are an accurate comparison.

What I most often recommend is an internet comparison quote at since they have discount insurers and can give multiple quotes on auto insurance polices.

Teroy October 24, 2008 at 10:52 pm

no it should not go up. If it does get a new ins. co.

an_eclectic_chick October 27, 2008 at 9:42 pm

It really depends. The agent can be the one to give you the best information.

When I totaled my car at 16 my rates went up a ton, but over ten years later when I got into a fender bender (the insurance co had to pay out about $1000) my rates actually went DOWN because of the way that the insurance policy was written and the number of years driving I had.

Sue October 29, 2008 at 5:33 pm

First it depends on your state. If you are in NH, they can’t surcharge you for a one car accident, even if you total the car.
Then, it depends on your company. Some have first accident forgiveness after you have been with the same company more than 3 or 5 yrs. Some have first accident forgiveness up to a certain amount (like only up to $10,000, above that is chargable). Some don’t have any first accident forgiveness.
The best place to find out is your agent.

Gabriel C October 31, 2008 at 4:03 pm

It really depends on the insurance company. In most cases no, but some of them might be pretty strict.

Also, a good resource is…

Best of luck to you.

ZAZ November 2, 2008 at 8:23 pm

Help yourself:) You can easily check how your quotes will change in internet, for example here:
I guess it will not change a lot cause 20 years of perfect driving is a fantastic thing.

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