Does filing insurance claim hurt you?
Asked by: Rigoberto Kris | Last update: December 31, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (61 votes)
Is there a downside to filing an insurance claim?
It could increase your premiums
When determining your premiums, insurance companies consider your likelihood of filing a future claim — which could cost them money. The higher your perceived risk, the more likely you are to pay more in premiums. Your claims history tends to play a direct role.
Does my insurance go up if I file a claim?
Filing an insurance claim can have long-term ramifications, such as a hike in your premium or difficulty in switching providers in the future. Certain types of claims, such as dog bites or slip-and-fall incidents, can have a significant impact on your rates and may even disqualify you from coverage with some carriers.
Will my insurance drop me if I file a claim?
Yes, your car insurance company can drop you if you file too many claims.
Is it worth making an insurance claim?
You should consider filing a car insurance claim whenever your out-of-pocket costs would extend past your deductible. Reminder: your deductible is the amount you'll pay out of pocket when you file certain claim types, like comprehensive or collision.
Homeowners Insurance Claim: A Step by Step Guide
Should I file a claim if I'm not at fault?
Always File a Claim, Regardless of Who Was At-Fault
One of the primary questions we receive from clients who have been in an accident is whether they should report the accident to their own auto insurance carrier, particularly when the accident was not their fault. And the answer to that question is: always.
When should you not file a claim?
If the claim amount equals or is less than the deductible, there's not much sense in filing a claim. “Most car insurance policies have a deductible in place which you have to pay before their coverage kicks in,” says Ross. “If your damages are minor, you're much better off just paying out of pocket.”
How long do insurance claims stay on your record?
For minor accidents, the record retention period typically spans three years from the date of the accident. Notably, if you were not deemed at fault, it is illegal for insurance companies to increase your premiums in California.
What happens if you don't file an insurance claim?
If you fail to report a car accident and another party later makes a claim against your insurance for compensation, your insurance company could say that you never reported an accident and refuse to make good on your coverage. Then, you would have to pay out of pocket.
How many claims until insurance drops you?
Every insurance company sets its own benchmark for triggering a cancellation, but it is more likely that you'll face cancellation or non-renewal if you've made three or more claims within a three-year period. Most cancellations occur within the first 60 days of a policy, usually due to non-compliance.
Will a small claim affect my insurance?
Many assume that only major claims affect premiums, but even minor claims can lead to increased rates. In fact, it's often the reporting of an incident, rather than the insurance claim itself, that triggers higher premiums.
Does your insurance go up if someone hits you?
If you are involved in an accident and file a claim, even if it was not your fault, your insurance company may see you as a higher risk to insure and increase your rates. Consider speaking with a licensed insurance agent to see how much insurance could increase after an accident where you're not at fault.
Will my insurance go up if I file a claim?
Filing a claim often results in a rate hike that could be in the 20% to 40% range. The increased rates stay in effect for years, although the size and longevity of the hike can vary widely between insurers.
What should you not say when making an insurance claim?
Don't discuss the specifics of the accident with other drivers, witnesses or passengers. Don't make any oral or written statements as to responsibility or blame. Don't tell others involved in the accident how much liability insurance you carry.
Should I get an estimate before I file a claim?
Should I get an estimate before filing a claim? If your vehicle was the only one to sustain damage — meaning that no other parties were involved — it's a good idea to get an estimate before making a claim.
Can your insurance drop you if you file a claim?
If you file claims often your insurer may view you as a greater risk, which may lead them to non-renewing your policy. Insurers may not drop a customer after their first one or two incidents. The first step is often to increase your car insurance rate.
Should I file a claim if I'm at fault?
If you damage someone else's vehicle during a significant collision, and you're at fault, you should always file a claim.
Is it better to pay out of pocket or claim car insurance?
If the repair costs are less than your deductible (or even slightly more) you should pay for the repairs out of pocket. For example, if the damage to your car costs $300 to fix, and your deductible is $200, you would save $100 by filing a claim.
Can insurance companies see your claim history?
Every insurer scopes out your recent claims history as well as the claims history for the home when you switch insurance companies or purchase a new policy. This helps them price your policy.
How often does the average homeowner file a claim?
Every year nearly 6% of American homeowners file some sort of insurance claim. While knowing which home insurance claims are the most common can't stop damage from happening, it can help you protect against it.
Does reporting an accident affect insurance?
It's only when you file a claim that you may face a rate adjustment. By reporting the accident, you'll be covered if the damage or injuries are significant but if you don't need to make a claim, you've risked nothing.
What is the downside of filing an insurance claim?
What is the downside of filing an insurance claim? Filing can lead to higher premiums.
Is it better to file a claim with your insurance or theirs?
After a car accident, you should notify your insurance company and file a claim, and not deal with the other driver's insurer. Except in rare circumstances, it is not wise to contact them.