Will my insurance premium increase if I file an auto insurance claim with State Farm? (2024)
Several factors contribute to the high cost of insurance. So, will your insurance premium increase if you file an insurance claim with State Farm? In short, it's possible unless you qualify for State Farm's accident-free discount, which saves policyholders up to 25% if they go three years without an accident.
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 25, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 25, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- State Farm reviews claims individually to determine fault and adjust rates
- You could save up to 25% with State Farm for going accident-free for three years
- Premium increases happen when the company reassesses your risk level
An accident can cause a lot of anxiety, whether you’re insured by State Farm or any other company. Besides worrying about the cost of repairs, you may wonder if your premium will increase if you file an insurance claim with State Farm. While your rates may increase, that’s not always the outcome. (Read More: State Farm Auto Insurance Review)
Let’s delve deeper into what auto insurance companies don’t tell you about filing auto insurance claims — so you’ll better understand why this may or may not happen.
When State Farm Raises Auto Insurance Rates After a Claim
Your premiums won’t always increase if you file an insurance claim with State Farm. For instance, if your car was damaged while parked, and you were not at fault, there’s a good chance your premium won’t increase. Instead, State Farm would attempt to recover the costs from the responsible party’s insurer. (Read More: Auto Insurance for Parked Cars)
However, if you're found at fault, especially for a major accident, your premium might increase when your insurance policy renews due to risk assessment. If you're responsible for an accident, it means that you now pose a higher risk to your insurer.Jeff Root Licensed Insurance Agent
In some states, if you’re at least 51% at fault, your premium could rise at your policy’s renewal.
Saving Money on Auto Insurance if You’re Accident-Free
While at-fault premiums might increase if you file an insurance claim with State Farm, the increase doesn’t have to be permanent. Eventually, your rates will go back down.
Additionally, if you avoid any accidents for at least three years, you may see auto insurance discounts on your policy for staying accident free. It isn’t really an auto insurance secret that State Farm offers this type of policy. It’s not exactly “forgiveness,” but it’s the next best thing, helping you keep your rates low and rewarding good driving. (Read More: Good Driver Auto Insurance Discounts)
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How State Farm Assesses Risk
When considering whether your premium will increase if you file an insurance claim with State Farm, it’s important to note that the company handles each submission on a case-by-case basis. It evaluates different elements, such as the nature of the accident, your driving history, and whether you were at fault.
Read More: How Your Driving Record Impacts Your Auto Insurance Rates
If it’s found that you’re at fault, remember that an increased premium isn’t a punishment. State Farm relies on statistical data to estimate future risk. If the data suggests that your recent at-fault accident shows you’re more likely to have another accident, the company will adjust your rate to reflect the higher risk. (Read More: Affordable High-Risk Auto Insurance)
When to File a State Farm Auto Insurance Claim
There’s no guarantee that your premium will increase if you file an insurance claim with State Farm. Determining who was at fault and evaluating your previous driving history heavily influences this outcome (Read More: Understanding How Auto Insurance Works). It’s always a good idea to communicate with your insurance company to understand the potential implications of filing a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will an auto claim affect my premium with State Farm?
Several factors can affect how long it takes for an accident to get off your record, but it’s common for an at-fault accident to affect your premiums for three to five years.
Does a not-at-fault accident affect my premium?
Generally, a not-at-fault accident doesn’t impact your premium. However, if you have multiple not-at-fault accidents in a short period, it might be seen as a risk factor and could potentially affect your premium.
What happens to my premium if I choose not to report a minor accident to State Farm?
It’s always a good idea to report every accident, regardless of how small. If you don’t let State Farm know about it, and later the other party involved decides to file a claim, you could be at risk of higher increases or even a claim denial.
Why does State Farm deny so many claims?
State Farm may deny claims due to unreasonable delays or lack of evidence.
Should I get an estimate before filing a claim with State Farm?
You should always estimate repair damages before filing a claim to see if paying out of pocket would make more sense.
What may cause an insurance company to deny a claim?
An insurance company could deny your claim due to policy exclusions, misrepresentations, or unnecessary delays.
Why did my car insurance go up when nothing changed?
Often, increased car repair expenses and inflation leads to higher insurance rates.
How can you negotiate your own State Farm insurance claim?
Contact State Farm to negotiate a fair settlement offer, and consider hiring an auto insurance attorney to assist you.
How long does a claim affect your premiums?
Usually, an auto insurance claim remains on your record for about three years.
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.