If I'm involved in a car accident & its not my fault, will my premium go high & my license number affected?

Answer 1

Your premium will usually go up even if it is not your fault. But it depends on which insurance company you have and how long you have been with them. Some company's allow you to have one accident without your premium going up.

Answer 2

It really depends on your insurance company. If you are not at fault, but you file a claim with you insurance company (perhaps because the other driver is uninsured, under-insured, or flees the scene) BEWARE! Although your current company may not increase your premiums, it WILL show as a claim on your record (insurance record, not driving record). Depending on the amount of the claim and the number of claims you have made, you may find that when shopping for insurance from other companies your rates are higher than if you didn't have any claims or "not at fault" accidents.

In CA, you must report all accidents with property damages greater than $750 or if anyone is injured or killed (form SR1). This will show on your DMV record, although it will not effect you driving privileges or add points to your record if were not at fault.

The best way to find out if it will effect your rates is to ask you insurance company and/or read your policy. I also suggest that you go on-line and get an insurance quote from one of the many insurance companies that offer on-line quotes. Get one with the accident, and one without. That way, even if your company does not raise your rates, you can see how it will effect you if you decide to change companies.