If I only report an accident but not make a claim, should the insurance company be allowed to raise my rates?

Question

I was in two accidents in the last year and a half one major and one minor. I only made a claim for the major accident but I just got a new car and now the insurance company has jacked up my rates again saying it was because I was in two accidents. I only reported the minor accident as a formality so I don't think I should be punished for it. In fact, the driver I hit was probably uninsured because she never called me back. Should I switch insurance companies or are they actually allowed to do this?

Answer 1

So you had an accident, but you really didn't?
That's basically what you're saying.
Just because you didn't turn in a claim doesn't mean you're the kind of risk you want to be rated under. You had an accident, you can't pretend you didn't.

Answer 2

this is legal, it's not necessarily how many claims you file, it's also HOW you drive, if you were involved in 2 accidents then you must be doing something wrong, ie speeding, tailgating, etc and you should pay a higher rate than someone who has a clean driving record, you are a higher risk

Answer 3

when you report an accident with the police, they send that information to the insurance company. if it was minor, why report it?

Answer 4

They are allowed to by law. Also if the accident is not your fault, you get enough on your record and they are allowed to raise your rates. Unconstitutional to me, but so far they haven't had any trouble getting away with it. :-)

Answer 5

They raised your rates because you are a higher risk, not because of any claims you filed.

Answer 6

why report a accident at all unless you want $ compensation??????????//