Insurance rate after a car accident

by suissegirl » Sun May 10, 2009 04:53 am

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 :)

Total Comments: 14

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 04:39 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.

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 06:50 am Post Subject:

Hi Saira,

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?

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

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 06:53 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

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 03:51 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.

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 02:21 pm Post Subject:

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!

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 02:08 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.

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 05:51 am Post Subject:

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

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



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

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.

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 01:45 pm Post Subject:

Hi Saira,

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

Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 06:45 am Post Subject:

Hi Sunshine,

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

Unfortunately, the period of time is usually lengthy.



What is the usual time frame? Or, does it depend upon the carrier?

Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:48 pm Post Subject:

Hey Sunshineva,

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



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

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

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