Insurance rate after a car accident

Message Author
Add to del.icio.us
Add to YahooMyWeb
Add to Simpy
Add to BlinkList
PostPosted: Sun May 10, 2009 4:53 am   Post subject: Insurance rate after a car accident  

Hey,

This is Saira. I am new to this forum. I was on my parents' auto insurance until now. I had never had a ticket until last August when I got into a car accident and totaled my car. Nothing happened to me and the other car just had a minor damage. I think my insurance rate went uup a little since I was at fault. In March, I was in another car accident My car and the other car were totaled. It happened cause the other driver was speeding and left at red, but there were no wtinesses or evidence for that and I was turning left I got the ticket. I have never gotten any speeding ticket or anything else on my record but these. So I was told if I took the Defensive Driving Class, it would not show on my history. My current insurance company is not going to insure me anymore. If I go to another carrier and show them my defensive driving certificate, will it lower my rate? How is it gonna work? Which insurance companies are better? Also, I have heard that if you are a full-time student and have like a GPA higher than 3, you get a discount. I am a full-time student with a higher GPA, am I still gonna get a discount? Also, I am 22 years old now.

Thanks Smile
suissegirl
New member
Leave a quick message


Joined: 10 May 2009
Posts: 2


2.42 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:39 am   Post subject:   

The Defensive Driving could possibly lower your rate. Nonetheless, your rate still might be a bit higher, usually for 3 years (depending on the severity of your violation). The only way to get an exact quote is by contacting an auto insurance company.
_________________
autoinsureusa
New member
Leave a quick message

autoinsureusa
Joined: 03 Jun 2009
Posts: 13

Location: Los Angeles
3.94 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:50 am   Post subject:   

Hi Saira,

Quote:
I have never gotten any speeding ticket or anything else on my record but these.

I think the accidents were already registered with the DOI since you've mentioned that your rates went up following the first one. You were already at-fault for the first one and you got the ticket for the second one too. So you were at-fault for the second one too - am I right?
Don't you think it was a severe accident that totaled both the cars?
Quote:
Which insurance companies are better?

For you it would be the ones that agree to cover you!
Defensive driving classes lower rates to some extent but you'd need to do a good bit of shopping. But before discussing that I'd like you to reply my above queries.

Steven
steven
Senior member
Leave a quick message

steven
Joined: 02 Feb 2006
Posts: 1020


155.49 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:53 am   Post subject:   

Hey Autoinsureusa,

Would you kindly explain about how these carriers go about determining the severity of violation as you've mentioned over here?

Evaluating these factors could be a real tough job for adjusters..what do you think? Thanks, Roddick
roddick
Senior member
Leave a quick message

roddick
Joined: 05 Oct 2005
Posts: 611


104.10 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 3:51 am   Post subject: .  

Yes, it was severe. And yes, I was at fault for the second one too. My current company did not raise my insurance a whole lot. It is way better than the quotes I had gotten from a lot of other insurance companies.
suissegirl
New member
Leave a quick message


Joined: 10 May 2009
Posts: 2


2.42 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 2:21 pm   Post subject:   

Quote:
So I was told if I took the Defensive Driving Class, it would not show on my history.


Unfortunately, you were told correctly...but probably misunderstood like most people would. While it is true that the accidents may not show up on your driving record, the insurance company does still remember it! When you take a defensive driving class, it will reduce the points on your license. So if your ticket caused you 4 points on your license, you could get it reduced to 0 points.

However, having 0 points on your license does not mean that everything in the past has disappeared. After all, points fall off your license ever year (how many depends on state). The insurance company had to pay for a major accident, and even if your driver's license has no points, you have proven to be a significant risk to them. Thus, they decided to no longer insure you.

On most auto insurance applications on the web, it asks you if you have been involved in any accidents within the last 5 years. If you lie and say no, there is a chance that the insurance company may give you a great rate...but if they find out that you falsified an application...there could be major trouble down the road.

Good luck in your search!
ChrisBantly
Senior member
Leave a quick message

Chris Bantly
Joined: 11 Mar 2009
Posts: 382

Location: Upstate SC
0.20 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 2:08 am   Post subject: Insurance rate after a car accident  

Regarding your "good student" discount, most carriers suspend eligibility for this discount for a certain period of time after an at fault accident. Unfortunately, the period of time is usually lengthy. You may have already graduated by the time you would again be eligible. So, you lose twice -- first the accident surchage portion of the premium you are paying, then by losing the discount for meeting/exceeding a certain GPA. I'm sorry about your situation but good luck in your efforts.
sunshineva
New member
Leave a quick message


Joined: 16 Jun 2009
Posts: 41


15.87 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:51 am   Post subject:   

Hey Sussie, haven't you mentioned in your first post that your current insurer isn't going to insure you anylonger?

Quote:
My current insurance company is not going to insure me anymore.


Then, how this statement can be true at the same time?

Quote:
My current company did not raise my insurance a whole lot. It is way better than the quotes I had gotten from a lot of other insurance companies.


Please help me clear my confusion.
simon
Senior member
Leave a quick message

simon
Joined: 28 Sep 2005
Posts: 526


90.04 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:45 pm   Post subject:   

Hi Saira,

Quote:
It is way better than the quotes I had gotten from a lot of other insurance companies.


Did you go through the policy paper-works?

Didn't you come across any striking difference with even one of the new policy clauses?

Steven
steven
Senior member
Leave a quick message

steven
Joined: 02 Feb 2006
Posts: 1020


155.49 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:45 am   Post subject:   

Hi Sunshine,

Normally, how much one can save on the 'good student discount'?

Quote:
Unfortunately, the period of time is usually lengthy.


What is the usual time frame? Or, does it depend upon the carrier?
kelvin
Senior member
Leave a quick message

kelvin
Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 207


37.79 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:48 pm   Post subject:   

Hey Sunshineva,

Quote:
You may have already graduated by the time you would again be eligible.


Does it help if he goes for some driving course again?

Quote:
first the accident surchage portion of the premium you are paying, then by losing the discount for meeting/exceeding a certain GPA.


Are you pointing at the discount they achieve for a GPA of 3.20 ?

Roddick
roddick
Senior member
Leave a quick message

roddick
Joined: 05 Oct 2005
Posts: 611


104.10 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:18 pm   Post subject: Discount/driving course  

Hi Roddick,
I'm not sure of the defensive driving course being repeated but as to the "good student discount" I've been told anywhere from 18 months to 36 months with no infractions to be able to qualify. So if you're a junior or senior, forget it! Hope this is the info. you were looking for.
sunshineva
New member
Leave a quick message


Joined: 16 Jun 2009
Posts: 41


15.87 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:07 am   Post subject:   

Dear Sunshineva..

Quote:
Hope this is the info. you were looking for.

Absolutely!

Only one thing..once they'd be eligible again do they get entitled for the same worth of discount? OR does it vary?

Steven
steven
Senior member
Leave a quick message

steven
Joined: 02 Feb 2006
Posts: 1020


155.49 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:05 pm   Post subject: Good Student Discount  

Hi Steven,
I'm not sure of the answer to that one -- but I'd imagine different insurers could very well offer a different percentage off of the premium for the "good student" discount just as rates differ among insurers. As for the same worth of discount being offered once the driver becomes eligible again, similar answer -- would depend on what discount the insurer was offering at the time the driver became eligible again.
sunshineva
New member
Leave a quick message


Joined: 16 Jun 2009
Posts: 41


15.87 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:10 pm   Post subject: Good Student discount  

Hi Kelvin,
I've had "good student" discount on policies for the last 10 years from 2 different carrier -- they ranged between 9 and 11 % off the premium for the vehicle on which the student was the primary driver.
sunshineva
New member
Leave a quick message


Joined: 16 Jun 2009
Posts: 41


15.87 Dollars($)

Quick Reply
Your Name
Subject
Message body
All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 

Ask Community Experts

flash plugin

Quick Links
Must See
Community
Hot topics in forums

Latest in blogs