It’s no surprise car accidents have the biggest impact on car insurance premiums. For Rochester, NY drivers, knowing the individual factors that cause rate increases can help minimize costs if you’re ever in an accident. New York has complex insurance regulations that determine how premiums are affected. Let’s look at what types of insurance claims lead to premium increases, how much that increase could be, and what Rochester drivers can do to offset those increases.
How Rochester, NY Insurance Rates Are Affected by Car Accidents
Car insurance rates often increase after an accident, especially if the driver is found at fault. According to national data, the average rate increase after an at-fault accident is roughly 49%, and approximately 6% after a not-at-fault accident. Rates will change by state, insurance company, how the car accident happened, and the driver’s history. Rochester as a geographic location itself will also influence how insurers calculate risk and adjust premiums.
Insurance companies will look at the following factors after a Rochester car accident to decide what if any, rate changes to make to your coverage:
- Severity and Circumstances of the Accident: If a car crash results in significant damages or injuries, the insurance company will likely raise rates much higher. Insurers will determine whether the rear-end car accident occurred in a high-traffic area like East Avenue or Monroe Avenue.
- Driving Record: Having a clean driving history will help mitigate a car accident rate increase. Having a driving history filled with speeding tickets or other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations will likely lead to a larger increase.
- Local Risk Factors: Seasonal conditions in Rochester, especially during wintertime with its lake-effect snow and icy roads can increase the likelihood of accidents. Local factors that make car accidents more likely are almost always “baked-in” to the insurer’s rates.
Types of Car Accident Claims That Affect Insurance Rates
The type of insurance claim you file after a Rochester car accident will make a big difference with how your insurance rates change. Not every type of claim leads to an increase in what you pay. Rochester drivers can roughly anticipate the size of the increase depending on the claim.
At-Fault Car Accidents
Being found at-fault for a head-on car accident will likely lead to a big increase in your car insurance premiums. New York is a comparative negligence state, so even if you’re partially at fault you can still be liable for damages caused to others. Those damages the insurer has to pay will affect your future premiums.
If you were found at-fault for a rear-end car crash on Monroe Avenue, your insurance company will raise your premiums to account for the perceived increased risk of insuring you. Rates for at-fault drivers can increase by 20-40% or more.
Comprehensive Claims
Comprehensive insurance covers damage from incidents that are not collisions, such as theft, vandalism, or natural events like hail or snow damage. Rochester winter weather can create more opportunities for weather-based claims, from hail damage to tree branches falling on parked cars during a storm.
Rate increases for comprehensive claims usually are not as high as at-fault collision claims. However, if you submit multiple comprehensive claims in a short period of time, your insurance rates can increase because you’ll be seen as high-risk. If you submit multiple vehicle damage claims for weather incidents over the course of a single year, your insurance company might increase your premiums, thinking you’re likely to submit additional claims in the future.
No-Fault Car Accidents
Under New York’s no-fault insurance law, all drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other reasonable expenses for anyone using or operating that vehicle. No-Fault benefits don’t turn on who was at fault for a crash, but they can influence overall premiums if your car insurance company starts to see a pattern of frequent claims.
No-fault claims can take place in all different types of traffic settings around Rochester. From intersections around Alexander Street or South Clinton Avenue to major highways like I-490 and I-390. Rochester drivers who frequently file No-Fault claims, even for minor injuries, risk seeing an eventual increase in premiums for submitting multiple claims.
How Rochester Drivers Can Minimize Car Insurance Increases
If you’ve been involved in a car crash, there are still several things you can do to avoid having your car insurance premiums rise. Some of the tactics Rochester drivers can deploy are more than worth the time and effort to keep your insurance rates low.
Accident Forgiveness Programs
Some insurance companies offer accident forgiveness to prevent rate increases after a driver’s first at-fault accident. This is incredibly helpful for Rochester drivers trying to recover after a single mistake. Insurance companies like GEICO, Allstate, and Liberty Mutual provide accident forgiveness programs.
Take a Defensive Driving Course
Rochester drivers can earn a discount of up to 10% on their premiums by completing a defensive driving course. These courses are approved by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles and are available both online and in person. Taking a defensive driving course even without an accident can help Rochester drivers qualify for discounts to offset any potential future rate hikes.
Increase Your Deductible
Raising your deductible can lower your monthly premiums. Although this increases the amount you’ll pay after a car accident, it can give you an immediate cost reduction after a rate increase.
Keep a Clean Driving Record
Avoiding future car accidents and traffic tickets will keep your rates from further increasing. Every year of safe driving without incidents can reduce the impact of a previous accident on your record and may help decrease your premiums over time.
How to Get Affordable Car Insurance After a Rochester Car Accident
If you experience a sudden price hike in your insurance premiums after a car accident, you’ll want to shop around to find a new insurance company. There are some important things Rochester drivers want to do when finding affordable insurance after an accident.
Compare Rates from Multiple Insurers
Rates can vary quite a bit between insurance companies, so try and get quotes from several different companies. Rochester has both local and national providers, from GEICO and Allstate to Erie Insurance, that might have New York-specific discounts worth exploring.
Look for Policy Discounts
Many insurance companies offer a variety of discounts that reduce overall costs. Multi-policy discounts (bundling home and auto), multi-car discounts, or good student discounts could be available for Rochester drivers. Ask about these discounts during your first call.
Talk to an Independent Insurance Agent
Independent insurance agents can provide personalized attention and access to multiple insurers. Agents in the Rochester area will be better equipped to find policies that meet your needs and that are also affordable. Independent agents can let you know about discounts on a local level that national providers might not be providing.
Speak with an Attorney at Horn Wright, LLP, Today
Increased car insurance premiums can add insult to injury after a car accident. Fortunately, Rochester drivers have many strategies available to minimize these increases to lessen the financial impact. From taking a defensive driving course, comparing quotes from different insurers, or accident forgiveness programs, Rochester drivers have options to help manage post-accident premiums. Call today to speak with one of our experienced car accident lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP.