Accidents and violations are not the only reasons for a price increase on your car insurance. Find out the other factors that could raise your rate.
A rise in your cost for car insurance can be frustrating, especially if you haven't filed a claim and have a clean driving record. But know that insurance premiums aren't raised on a whim, and the reason for a rate increase is almost always tied to insurance risk. Auto accidents and traffic violations are common explanations for an insurance rate increasing, but there are other reasons why car insurance premiums go up including an address change, new vehicle, and claims in your zip code.
If you're wondering, "Why is my car insurance so high?" you may have experienced one or more of the factors below. While most of these factors are manageable, there are occasions when your rate could increase, or even decrease, for reasons beyond your control.
Violations on your motor vehicle report, especially a DUI or multiple speeding tickets, tell your insurance company that you're more likely to have an accident than a driver with no violations. The more violations you have, the higher your risk to file a claim—resulting in auto rate increases. Even a minor moving violation could increase the cost of your auto policy. Keep in mind that insurance companies won't increase your rate due to a non-moving violation like a parking ticket.
Just like with violations, at-fault accidents on your driving record indicate you're at risk for another, and insurance companies will price you accordingly. You may ask, will my insurance go up if I file a claim for an accident that isn't my fault? In some cases, yes—even accidents you didn't cause can increase your rate in states that allow it, as insurers have data revealing that some drivers have a propensity for not-at-fault accidents.
Depending on your insurance company and the state where you live, your rate may increase for incidents out of your control. These incidents are called comprehensive claims and include theft and vandalism, hitting an animal, fire, glass breakage (including a cracked windshield), hail/weather-related damage, and other acts of nature.
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