The law requires that drivers carry insurance. Doing so helps defray the major expenses associated with car wrecks. Just as people may violate traffic statutes, leading to preventable crashes, there is also reason to worry about drivers who do not carry the insurance required by law.
People protect themselves from uninsured drivers by carrying uninsured motorist protection in addition to standard liability coverage. However, sizable insurance claims tend to have a significant impact on the premiums people pay for insurance coverage.
Do motorists struck by uninsured drivers or involved in hit-and-run crashes need to worry about their rates going up after filing a claim?
Any claim can affect policy premiums
Insurance companies base policy costs on the level of risk that a driver represents. Motorists who cause crashes that result in large at-fault claims from other parties often see their annual insurance costs jump by hundreds of dollars.
In an uninsured motorist claim, there’s usually evidence that the other party caused the crash. However, the claim still costs the insurance company money. As such, drivers who use uninsured motorist coverage can expect their premiums to increase somewhat.
Frequently, the increase is only a fraction of the extra charges associated with a claim when a driver is at fault for a crash. People shouldn’t let a few years of slightly higher rates deter them from utilizing the coverage they purchased.
Negotiating an uninsured motorist insurance claim can be a complicated process. Drivers who need help covering their losses may also need support as they communicate with their insurance providers.