Will Filing a Claim Cause My Auto Insurance to Go Up?
- Vincent Fuccilli
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
One of the most common questions drivers ask after an accident is: “Will my insurance go up if I file a claim?”
The honest answer is: Most likely, Yes.
However, the impact of a claim depends on many factors, including:
fault determination
claim severity
claim frequency
type of claim
prior insurance history
insurance company guidelines
At Bergen Insurance Group, we help New Jersey drivers better understand how claims may affect insurance pricing, underwriting, and long-term insurability before they file unnecessary claims.
Can Filing a Claim Increase Auto Insurance Rates?
In many situations: yes.
Insurance companies may review:
claim history
accident frequency
claim severity
fault determination
overall underwriting risk
when evaluating future pricing.
However, not every claim automatically causes a rate increase.
Some claims may have little or no pricing impact depending on:
carrier guidelines
accident details
claim type
prior history
At-Fault Claims vs Not-At-Fault Claims
Generally: at-fault accidents are more likely to affect future insurance pricing.
This is because insurance companies may view at-fault accidents as a higher future risk indicator.
However: not-at-fault claims may still appear on claim history reports and may still affect underwriting or pricing in certain situations depending on carrier guidelines.
What Types of Claims May Affect Insurance?
Examples of claims that may affect future insurance pricing or underwriting may include:
at-fault accidents
collision claims
multiple glass claims
towing claims
theft claims
vandalism claims
weather-related losses
repeated comprehensive claims
Insurance companies may evaluate: overall claim frequency —not just individual claim amounts.
Should You File Small Claims?
Sometimes: maybe not.
If repair costs are only slightly above your deductible, some drivers choose to evaluate:
out-of-pocket repair costs
deductible amounts
long-term insurance impact
future insurability concerns
before filing smaller claims.
This is especially important for drivers with:
multiple prior claims
youthful drivers
prior underwriting concerns
recent accidents
However, every situation is different.
Do Insurance Inquiries Count as Claims?
In some situations: they can.
Depending on the insurance company and reporting practices, even:
claim inquiries
“report-only” incidents
roadside assistance usage
may sometimes create claim activity records.
This is one reason many insurance professionals recommend discussing losses carefully before automatically filing claims.
Will Comprehensive Claims Raise Rates?
Possibly.
Many drivers assume: comprehensive claims “don’t count.”
However, claims involving:
theft
vandalism
glass damage
storm losses
falling trees
may still appear on claim history reports and may influence underwriting decisions depending on:
claim frequency
severity
carrier guidelines
Why Claim Frequency Matters
Insurance companies often evaluate: patterns.
Multiple smaller claims over time may sometimes create greater underwriting concerns than a single larger loss.
This is one reason drivers should think carefully about:
repeated towing claims
frequent glass claims
small collision claims
multiple weather-related claims
What Is a CLUE Report?
Many insurance companies review: CLUE Reports when evaluating claim history.
CLUE stands for: Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange.
These reports may contain:
prior auto claims
homeowners claims
loss history
claim dates
claim types
Claims commonly remain on CLUE reports for several years.
Why Understanding Claim History Matters
Many drivers focus only on: immediate repairs.
However, insurance decisions today may affect:
future premiums
underwriting eligibility
carrier options
policy renewals
long-term insurability
This is one reason understanding:
deductibles
claim frequency
liability protection
underwriting impact
can become extremely important.
Why Independent Insurance Agencies Matter
Different insurance companies may:
evaluate claims differently
apply underwriting guidelines differently
price claims differently
treat not-at-fault claims differently
Independent insurance agencies can help drivers:
understand claim implications
review deductibles
discuss underwriting concerns
evaluate long-term insurance strategy
At Bergen Insurance Group, we help New Jersey drivers better understand their insurance protection before claims happen.
FAQs
Will filing an auto insurance claim always raise my rates?
Not necessarily. Some claims may have little or no impact depending on fault, claim type, claim frequency, and insurance company guidelines.
Do not-at-fault accidents affect insurance?
In some situations, yes. Not-at-fault claims may still appear on claim history reports and may affect underwriting or pricing depending on the insurance company.
Can roadside assistance claims affect insurance?
In some situations, yes. Repeated towing or roadside assistance usage may create claim activity records depending on carrier reporting practices.
Should I file a small auto insurance claim?
It depends on the repair cost, deductible, claim history, and potential long-term insurance impact.
What is a CLUE report?
A CLUE report is a claims history report used by many insurance companies when evaluating insurance applications and underwriting risk.
How long do claims affect auto insurance?
Claims commonly remain on insurance claim history reports for several years, often up to five to seven years depending on the insurance company and claim reporting practices. The impact of a claim may lessen over time depending on factors such as claim severity, claim frequency, driving history, and carrier underwriting guidelines.
Does a windshield claim raise insurance rates?
Possibly. Windshield and glass claims are commonly handled under comprehensive coverage, but repeated glass claims may still affect underwriting or future pricing depending on claim frequency and insurance company guidelines. Not every glass claim automatically results in a rate increase.
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Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as insurance, legal, or financial advice. Claim reporting practices, underwriting guidelines, pricing factors, policy terms, and eligibility requirements vary by insurance company and individual situation. Please contact Bergen Insurance Group to review your specific insurance coverage needs and claim considerations.
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