Does your insurance go up if a drunk driver hits you? Your insurance rates should stay the same after you’ve been hit by a drunk driver as long as you didn’t contribute to the accident in any way, but exceptions may exist.
If you hire a Las Vegas drunk driving accident lawyer from H&P Law, you can discuss with them what this may mean for your auto insurance rates, given your unique situation.
When Insurance Rates Stay the Same After a Collision With a Drunk Driver
Insurance rates generally do not go up if you were in an accident that was not your fault. Under Nevada law, insurance companies are not allowed to increase your premiums or cancel your policy if you didn’t contribute to the accident. In these situations, claims are filed against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, so they do not directly affect your coverage or insurance rates.
This legislation is designed to protect you from rate hikes just for being involved in an accident caused solely by a drunk driver. It also protects you better from unfair tactics by the insurance company. While you may feel stressed about recovering your losses during the claim process, you can rest easier about the future of your insurance after a drunk driver hits you.
Being innocent of fault doesn’t always prevent your insurance rates from going up down the line, but insurance companies may also offer accident forgiveness programs to reward good driving history, especially if this was your first accident. You can talk with H&P Law about your specific policy and understand first-party insurance in Nevada, so you know the implications for your case and rates.
Situations Where Insurance Rates May Increase After an Accident
While insurance rates don’t generally increase if you weren’t at fault for an accident, according to NRS 687B.385, they will likely go up if you were partially at fault for an accident. Insurance companies may view you as more of a liability and increase your premiums to offset the added risk. They may also try to leverage this aspect to lay blame and increase your rates.
Rates can also increase when your insurance policy renews. It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to periodically raise their rates in response to company policies, state-level insurance changes, or market fluctuations. Pay attention to your insurance policy and any notices it sends you so you’re alert to changes.
Additionally, while insurance can’t raise your rates after being hit by a drunk driver in an accident that was not your fault, if you have a history of filing several claims, your rates could increase later when your policy renews. Insurance companies may claim this is for the risk posed by your overall driving record. H&P Law is always here for you to determine if insurance companies are acting fairly
Important Considerations When Determining How to Proceed With Insurance After an Accident in Nevada
It is important to understand who can be liable if you were hit by a drunk driver, since zero fault versus partial fault can make a difference in what happens to your insurance rates. H&P Law works hard to optimize your case and help ensure partial fault is minimized, or ensure that you’re protected in a zero-fault claim.
While it is illegal for Nevada insurers to raise your rates after an accident that wasn’t your fault, it does not always mean that insurance companies may not try to use tactics to leverage partial fault assignments to their benefit so they can raise rates. If you suspect unfair treatment, it is important to talk with our team right away so we can fight back and protect you from being taken advantage of.
In situations where shared fault is accurate and established, determining whether your insurance goes up after an accident also depends heavily on your insurance provider. The rate of increase can vary by provider and by your degree of involvement in the accident. It is important to pay close attention to rate increases and even begin comparing rates from other providers to keep your rates manageable.
The Circumstances of an Accident Ultimately Impact What Happens to Insurance Rates
Every crash is different, and the combinations of factors that affect your insurance policy are unique. For example, if you were hit by a drunk driver and the accident wasn’t your fault, but you recently filed another car accident claim, you could later see an increase because the time between accidents was short. Insurance rate increases are determined on a case-by-case basis based on specifics of the crash.
During your drunk driving accident case, H&P Law can prepare you for what to expect regarding the future of your insurance. If the insurance company has been trying to saddle you with partial fault that you didn’t commit during the claim process, then our team can help ensure you don’t absorb undue fault and that your insurance rates don’t go up as a result.
Hiring a lawyer early on can help better protect your rights. Our team can also help answer any questions you have about insurance along the way so you trust you’re getting answers that protect your interests.
Talk to a Lawyer About Your Insurance After an Accident
If a drunk driver hit you, you can not only talk to H&P Law about your case, but you can also discuss the implications for your auto insurance rates. We can also help ensure the insurance company doesn’t unfairly increase your rates or leverage your accident to charge you more for your policy. You can reach out to us today and schedule a free consultation.
