When one drives a car, there is always a risk of an accident. A not at fault accident means a driver gets into an accident and is found not at fault for the incident. Many drivers think that if they are in an accident where they are found not at fault, their insurance premiums will not be affected. Unfortunately, this is not always true.
Many responsible drivers found not at fault for an accident may still see their insurance premiums increase. Insurance companies establish their premiums on risk-factor, meaning an insurance premium rate is determined by the risk of a driver getting into an accident. As a result, even if you are found not at fault for an accident, your risk level will be increased by the car insurance company. Each insurance provider will have their own set of policies, but in general, they look at the driver's risk of getting into an accident and adjust their rates accordingly.
The number of accidents a driver is involved in will affect the insurance premium, even if one is found at no-fault for the accidents. Most insurance companies will conduct their own investigation into an accident to find out who they think was at-fault. There are many insurance companies that state that if a driver has maintained a good driving record, and is involved in an accident where they are found not at fault, they will not raise the driver's premiums if it is their first not at fault accident. In other cases, particularly if a driver is involved in a number of not at fault accidents, the insurance company will consider that although one is found at no fault so many times, the driver seems to have a driving problem so they will raise insurance premiums.
The insurance companies also look for cases of accident fraud which is when people get in car accidents on purpose to file a claim. As well, there are insurance providers that take the seriousness of the accident into consideration when deciding if they should raise one's premiums. For instance, if a car backs into you, your rates won't increase, but if there is an accident that totals the car, you may see your premiums go up.
Not at fault accidents can also affect insurance premiums in cases where the other driver who is found at fault may claim that you are the one at fault and take the case to court. Your insurance provider is normally involved in the case which ends up being quite expensive for the insurance company. As well, even if you are not at fault after an accident, but you have a previous violation such as a speeding ticket, your insurance premium may go up.
The increase in your premium may take place because the second accident puts you in a higher risk category. As well, if you receive a discount on a device you use in the car such as a motorized seatbelt, and you were not wearing it at the time of the accident where you were found not at fault, the insurance provider may take away the discount causing your premium to go up.
Any type of accident can cause your auto insurance premiums to go up. In order to protect yourself in the event of an accident in where you are found not a fault, ask your insurance company about their no fault policies.