Auto Claims Inquiry
I’ve had auto insurance for many years without making any claims, but in the last three months, my wife has had some unfortunate incidents. She collided with a deer, which totaled her car with damages amounting to $12,000, and then more recently, she slid into a ditch and hit a metal mailbox, resulting in approximately $11,500 in damages to her car. It’s been a rough few months!
I understand that the deer incident typically won’t affect our rates, but I’m concerned about how these recent accidents might impact our insurance premiums.
Just a heads up, we are with State Farm for our auto coverage.
It sounds like you’ve had a rough few months with your wife’s car! Generally, how your rates are affected can vary based on several factors, including your overall claims history, the nature of the claims, and your insurance company’s policies.
With State Farm, it’s true that claims for incidents like hitting a deer are typically considered ‘no-fault’ and shouldn’t impact your rates. However, the claim for sliding into the ditch and hitting a mailbox may be viewed differently. Insurance companies often assess your risk based on how often and how recently you’ve filed claims.
Since you’ve had two claims in a short span of time, there’s a chance your rates could increase; however, because you haven’t made any claims in the past, it might not be as steep as you fear. Additionally, some insurers offer discounts for being a long-time policyholder without claims, which might help mitigate any increase.
It’s always a good idea to reach out to your agent or customer service at State Farm to discuss your specific situation. They can give you a clearer idea of how these claims might affect your rates moving forward. Good luck!