It is getting more expensive to file even one auto insurance claim. Research shows rate hikes increasing each of the last three years in response to driver's filing after an accident.
The study by insurance quotes looked at a 45-year-old married female driver who has a job, an excellent credit score and has filed no prior auto insurance claims.
Drivers who make a single auto insurance claim of $2,000 or more will see their premiums increase, on average, by 44 percent. That represents a jump of nearly three percent from last year's findings.
According to latest data, the average cost of an auto insurance premium in the U.S. is $841, which means an increase of 44 percent would result in about a $370 spike. In Florida, the average rate hike hit 43 percent after a single claim.
So, when is it smart to avoid filing a claim and paying out of pocket? The people at InsuranceQuotes.com have come up with a calculator for that.
Just plug in your annual premium, your policy deductible along with the type of claim and amount of damage, and it'll suggest just how much in damages you should expect.
So, you might want to consider paying on your own before filing a claim. You can find that calculator at www.insurancequotes.com
Meanwhile, if you are interested in saving money on auto insurance, the top three things you can do are:
- Shop around
- Choose a higher deductible
- Buy a car that is cheap to insure
