Question About Disclosing Minor Accident While Shopping for Insurance [CA]
I had a minor fender bender six months ago while driving a rental car. Thankfully, there were no injuries, and the total repair costs for both vehicles came to around $8,000. The incident was so minor that the police didn’t respond; we simply exchanged insurance information and went on our way. Since I wasn’t driving my own vehicle and there was no police report or citations issued, I’m fairly certain this accident won’t show up on my driving record.
Unfortunately, after the accident, State Farm tripled my insurance premiums, and now I’m facing a monthly payment of $750. I’m a 48-year-old male with 32 years of driving experience, free of tickets or accidents besides this one. State Farm informed me that this increased premium will remain for three years.
Now, as I look for better insurance rates, I have a question: Do I need to disclose this accident when requesting quotes?
In hindsight, I realize I should have just paid for the repairs myself, but since I was in a rental car, I didn’t want to risk the rental agency coming after me for additional costs later. It seems unfair that my premiums would surge so dramatically for such a minor incident, especially since State Farm has never needed to cover any costs in my 32 years of membership. Thanks in advance for any advice!
When shopping for insurance, it’s important to be honest about your driving history, even if the accident was minor and didn’t result in a police report. Most insurers will ask about any accidents, claims, or incidents in the last several years, and failing to disclose this information could lead to complications down the line if you need to file a claim.
In California, insurance companies are allowed to consider accidents when determining your rates, and they typically will have access to your claims history. Since your accident was not reported to the police, it might not appear on your driving record, but it may still be recorded in the claims history available to insurers.
Therefore, when asking for quotes, it’s advisable to disclose this fender bender. While it’s frustrating to see your premiums increase for what feels like a minor issue, being upfront can actually help you avoid potential issues in the future. Additionally, some insurers may be more lenient given your long history of safe driving, so it’s worth it to shop around and compare quotes from multiple carriers. Good luck!