Will my car insurance go up if I file a comprehensive claim?
Asked by: Cooper Swift | Last update: August 21, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (17 votes)
Will a comprehensive claim raise my rate?
The cost of your comprehensive insurance might increase if you file a claim, live in an area with high crime or bad weather, or if repair costs rise. Filing a claim for something comprehensive insurance covers—like vandalism or a cracked windshield—could result in higher prices.
Do comprehensive claims go against your insurance?
The different types of claims that can affect your insurance rates include comprehensive claims, collision claims, and liability claims. Understanding your policy and coverage can help you make more informed decisions when filing a claim, as well as guide you in choosing the right coverage for your needs.
What is the downside of 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.
How many comprehensive claims before 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.
3 Ways to MAXIMIZE your Auto Accident Insurance Claim
Can a comprehensive claim be denied?
Insurance companies may deny a claim when there is a policy exclusion or policy-based justification for denial, when the claim is insufficiently supported, when the policy has lapsed, or when there is reason to invalidate the policy itself, such as when the insured party included misleading information on their initial ...
How much does comprehensive insurance pay out?
Comprehensive coverage is an optional coverage you can carry to help protect your vehicle. Unlike some coverages, you don't select a limit for comprehensive. The most it will pay is based on the actual cash value of your vehicle. You will be responsible for paying your selected deductible.
When should you not file a car insurance claim?
“If your damages are minor, you're much better off just paying out of pocket.” Even if the repairs cost slightly more than the deductible, it's still not worth submitting a claim that gets added to your claim history and can negatively affect your premiums in the future.
Can filing a claim make your insurance go up?
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.
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.
How long does a comprehensive claim stay on your insurance?
In California, accidents typically stay on your driving record for a period of three years from the date of the accident. During this time, the accident will be considered a public record and, therefore, accessible by insurance companies, potential employers, and law enforcement agencies.
What does comprehensive insurance not cover?
There are several things that comprehensive insurance does not cover, including: Damage from a collision. Damage to another driver's car from a collision. Medical expenses after an accident.
Do insurance rates go up after a no-fault accident?
Some may raise your premiums by 10 percent, while others may charge you only 2 percent more. In addition, certain states, such as California and Oklahoma, don't allow insurance companies to increase rates after a non-fault claim.
How much will my car insurance go up after a claim?
By State. You can expect the most elevated car insurance rates post-accident in California, where the average increase is more than 74 percent. Increases are less than 25 percent in Rhode Island, in contrast.
How does a comprehensive claim work?
Say for example, your car is stolen or totaled. With Comprehensive Coverage, after you pay your deductible, your insurer will send you a check for your car's actual cash value. Accidents can be expensive—you'll want coverage to protect you if one happens. That's what comprehensive coverage will do for you.
How long do accidents stay on your record?
In the state of California, most vehicle accidents will stay on your record for around 3 years. However, more serious traffic violations will follow you for longer. For example, a DUI conviction will stay on your record for 10 years.
Will comprehensive claims increase insurance?
Yes, a comprehensive claim might increase your rate, depending on your insurer and state. Comprehensive claims include non-collision events like car theft, car vandalism, car fire, chipped/cracked windshield, hitting an animal, and acts of nature.
Why does insurance drop you after a claim?
There are a few reasons why an insurance company may choose not to renew your policy when it expires. For example, if you have filed a large number of claims or have made a high-value claim, the insurance company may see you as a higher risk and may choose not to renew your policy.
What makes your insurance go up the most?
Incidents such as accidents (even if you weren't at fault), speeding violations, reckless driving, and driving while intoxicated can increase premiums. If you've filed a claim in the past few years, this might also result in an increase to your premium.
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.
At what point is it worth claiming on insurance?
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.
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 drop comprehensive coverage on your car?
The ten rule is this: Once the value of your vehicle is less than ten times what its insurance premiums are, it's more economical to drop comprehensive and collision coverage than to pay for them.
Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?
Remember that filing small claims may affect how much you have to pay for insurance later. Switching from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible can save as much as 20 percent on the cost of your insurance premium payments.
Is it better to have collision or comprehensive?
If your car is damaged in a road collision with another car or object and you're at fault, only your collision coverage can help pay to repair it. Only comprehensive coverage covers losses caused by contact with animals, civil disturbances, fires, natural disasters, theft, and vandalism.