There are a number of circumstances in which a person might want or need to use their own coverage after a car accident, even if someone else is at fault for causing the accident. For example, a person might want to use their own collision coverage for medical expense coverage. Or if the at fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, a person might need to use the uninsured or underinsured coverage on their own policy. It’s also possible that an injured person might need to make one or more of these claims using the coverage provided by an insurance policy belonging to a relative who is a resident of the injured person’s household.
Will my insurance go up if someone hits me?
A person who needs to use their own coverage (or a relative’s coverage) frequently is concerned that using the coverage will result in an increase in his or her rates. Unless the person making the claim is wholly or partially at fault in causing the underlying accident, the laws for car insurance in Virginia prohibit an insurance company from raising the rate charged for the coverage being accessed. So no, filing an insurance claim will not raise rates or hurt you if you were not the negligent party. Virginia car insurance law also requires an insurance company that raises a person’s rates because of an accident must notify the person in writing so that the person knows why his or her rates are being raised, and has the opportunity to appeal the insurer’s decision if he or she feels it is not justified.
About the Author: Dave Douthit is a personal injury attorney with Allen & Allen. Dave practices primarily out of the Firm’s Richmond, VA and Mechanicsville, VA branches. His background with big insurance companies and knowing how they work behind the scenes is an advantage for his clients when he is negotiating and fighting for their rights. If you or someone you know has a claim for personal injuries, the experienced attorneys of Allen and Allen are happy to identify any liens that may exist early on, advise you of the effect they will have on your net recovery when any offers of settlement are made and will make every effort to negotiate reductions in the lien amounts to protect a full and fair recovery.
