Will a non fault accident affect my insurance

Possibly — a non-fault accident can affect your insurance, but in many cases it won’t automatically raise your rates. Outcome depends on your insurer, state laws, fault determination, and whether you make a claim.

What Happens When You’re in a Non-Fault Accident

✅ When It Likely Won’t Affect Your Rates

• The insurer of the at-fault driver pays — so your policy isn’t used.

• The accident is clearly documented and fault is assigned to the other party.

• You don’t file under your own policy (no claim is made).

• Your driving history is clean and insurer doesn’t penalize for being hit.

⚠️ When It Could Affect Your Insurance

• You file a claim under your own policy instead of going through the at-fault driver’s insurer.

• Fault is disputed or unclear — insurer may treat it as a “chargeable” accident.

• Your state or insurer practices “accident-forgiveness” poorly or not at all.

• There are multiple claims or prior accidents on your record.

Why Some Insurers Raise Rates After Non-Fault Accidents

• Even as “non-fault”, accidents can count toward overall claims history.

• Insurers use statistical models — more accidents on record, regardless of fault, may signal higher risk.

• In some states, insurers aren’t allowed to distinguish fault — any claim may affect premiums.

• If the other driver is uninsured or unknown, the claim may go on your policy as uninsured-motorist — which can impact rates.

What You Should Do After a Non-Fault Accident

1. Report the accident to your insurer — but clarify you were not at fault.

2. Get a police or accident report, pictures, witness statements, and all details.

3. Provide the other driver’s insurance info and contact details.

4. File claim with their insurer — ask them to handle damages.

5. If you must claim with your insurer, request a “non-fault incident” designation.

6. Monitor your insurance premium at renewal — compare before and after the accident.

FAQ

Will my rates go up after a non-fault accident?
Not necessarily. If the other driver’s insurer pays and you don’t claim under your policy — often no increase occurs.

What if the other driver is uninsured?
If you use uninsured-motorist coverage, it could be treated as a claim on your policy — which may affect rates.

Can I avoid a rate increase by not filing a claim?
Yes — if damages are minor and you can pay out-of-pocket, avoid filing a claim.

Does state law affect how non-fault accidents impact insurance?
Yes — some states allow insurers to charge rates regardless of fault, others protect claim-free drivers.

Will accident forgiveness help?
If your policy includes accident forgiveness, one non-fault accident might be excluded from premium calculations — but confirm with your insurer.

Summary for Featured Snippet

A non-fault accident may or may not affect your insurance — if the other driver is at fault and their insurer pays, your rates often stay the same. However, filing a claim under your own policy or using uninsured-motorist coverage may raise premiums depending on insurer rules and state regulations.

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