Yeah, insurers can be pretty ruthless about that stuff. But honestly, switching companies isn't always just a temporary fix. I've seen plenty of cases where folks genuinely got better deals after incidents like yours—some insurers actually factor in fault properly instead of just blindly hiking rates. Sure, nothing's guaranteed forever, but it's worth shopping around every couple years anyway. Might as well take the win while you can...
I've definitely seen switching insurers help, but honestly, sometimes loyalty pays off too. Had a minor fender-bender near Rapid City a few years back, and my insurer actually gave me a loyalty discount later on. Guess it depends on the company...and maybe a bit of luck?
"Had a minor fender-bender near Rapid City a few years back, and my insurer actually gave me a loyalty discount later on."
Interesting...but I'd caution against relying too much on loyalty perks. In my experience, insurers often hike rates after claims. Always compare quotes annually—better safe than sorry.
Had a similar thing happen to me in Sioux Falls a couple years ago—nothing major, just a cracked bumper. My insurer didn't exactly reward my loyalty, though. Rates crept up the next renewal, despite being accident-free for ages before that. I guess loyalty perks are hit-or-miss...probably depends on your insurer or even the rep handling your case. Definitely agree with checking around annually—saved myself a decent chunk by switching later on.
"Rates crept up the next renewal, despite being accident-free for ages before that."
Had something similar happen after a minor scrape in Rapid City last year. Even though it wasn't my fault, my insurer still nudged the rates upward at renewal. Here's what I did: first, I called around to three other companies for quotes—surprisingly easy and quick. Then, I compared coverage line-by-line (tedious but worth it). Ended up switching and saved enough to offset the hassle. Definitely pays to be proactive rather than relying on loyalty alone...
