Question regarding car insurance and non traffic accident claims?

Question

Hi! I was wondering if insurance companies raise your rates based on the number of claims you have total (traffic accident or non traffic accident) or do they primarily look at the claims you have in the last 3 years from traffic accidents. I have a friend that have filed 2 claims for vandalism, 1 claim for over running the curb while parking, one for windshield glass from flying rock on the highway, and one from being hit by another car That's 5 claims in the last year. Now she recently backed into a fence. ( No she was not drunk or anything- she dont drink nor use drugs) She is worried about whether her rates will go up for filing too many claims, or is it mainly the traffic accidents that she needs to worry about. Anyone can have a fenderbender at home, every now and then. Anyone have any information on how non traffic accidents affect insurance claims? Thanks!

Answer 1

Insurers will not like 5 claims in a year.  There is a good chance her rates will go up or she'll be cancelled at renewal

Answer 2

Yes, her rates will go up.

You can easily compare how quotes will change in internet, for example here: http://autoinsurance.bebto.com

Answer 3

They look at all claims - not just ones involving moving violations.

Answer 4

Honestly, her company is probably already looking at nonrenewing her, even before she files the next at fault accident (the curb accident is at fault & the fence accident will be too - the other car one could be depending on the circumstances) - unless she has Progressive, then she will be charged a whole lot more on her next renewal.

I have one company that will change tiering (charge more) after only 2 comprehensive losses (which are the vandalisms & the glass losses).  

She has 2 collision losses & 3 comprehensive losses.  If she is not with Progressive or other nonstandard carrier now, she will be...

Answer 5

All claims are considered, and even though no other cars were involved in the curb and fence accidents, they would still be considered "traffic" or "collision" accidents and she is considered at fault.  Just these two accidents alone could get her cancelled or at least cause a rate increase, throw in the other accident and the comprehensive claims (windshield, vandalism) and there are very few companies who will want to insure her.

Answer 6

Oh, they look at ALL claims.  Most states will allow her insurer to cancel her, for more than two non-glass comprehensive claims, or two at fault accidents (including the fence), or three not at fault accidents, or a combination of these.

Darned tootin' she's going to see a rate increase.  IF she  doesn't flat out get cancelled.

Answer 7

At the least, her rates will go up.  More likely, they will drop her.  Her CLUE report will be negatively affected also, which means that other insurers will know of her excessive claim record.