Two No-Fault Claims in One Year
Hey everyone!
I’m curious about how much my insurance rates might increase after I recently filed a no-fault claim for hitting a pothole this weekend. Ironically, I had a similar issue around the same time last year (thanks, Midwest spring and low-profile cars!). In both cases, my passenger side shocks were damaged.
I’m feeling anxious about how this will affect my insurance. Has anyone else experienced something similar?
Here’s a bit more info: I have Geico and have been on this plan for less than a year. I’m 22 and drive a 2012 Hyundai. My rates are already pretty high due to my age and vehicle, but my safe driving record and student discount bring it down to about $150 a month.
Thanks in advance for any advice! Guess I’ll be avoiding spring driving from now on.
Hi there!
I can definitely understand your concern about how these claims might affect your insurance rates. It’s good to be proactive about understanding how your no-fault claims can impact your premiums, especially since you’ve had two in a year.
Generally, no-fault claims (like hitting a pothole) might not raise your rates as significantly as at-fault accidents, but it can still depend on your insurer’s specific policies. Geico tends to be more lenient with no-fault claims, especially if you’re otherwise a good driver and have discounts applied. Since you’ve had two similar incidents in a year, there’s a chance they might view it as a pattern, but being a safe driver and having those discounts could help balance things out.
It’s not uncommon for people to have similar experiences, and some find that their rates only increase slightly, while others see a more significant rise. You might consider reaching out to Geico directly to get an estimate of how your claims might affect your rates moving forward.
In the meantime, it might be worth looking into a vehicle with a higher clearance for the spring seasons—just to avoid those pothole crises in the future!
Best of luck, and safe driving!