Not every rate hike after a claim is just about the claim itself. Here’s what I see a lot:
- Accident forgiveness usually covers the surcharge for your first at-fault, but if your company has a rate increase statewide (like from more hail claims or higher repair costs), everyone gets hit, not just you.
- Local companies sometimes have more flexibility, but they also might just be slower to adjust rates. If they get a bad year, they’ll catch up eventually.
- Deer hits are often “comprehensive” claims, not “collision,” so most carriers don’t penalize those the same way as at-fault accidents.
Honestly, it’s not always the big guys looking for excuses—sometimes it’s just the math. But yeah, it still stings when you’re the one paying more.
Deer hits are often “comprehensive” claims, not “collision,” so most carriers don’t penalize those the same way as at-fault accidents.
That’s been my experience too. Had a run-in with a mule deer last fall—front end was a mess, but my rates barely budged. What really got me was the “statewide” hike the next renewal. I get that it’s not personal, but it still feels like you’re getting dinged twice. Local company here dragged their feet on raising rates, but when they did, it was a big jump all at once. Not sure which is worse, honestly.
Yeah, that’s the kicker—just when you think you dodged a rate hike after a claim, the whole region gets hit with an increase anyway. I’ve had similar luck with comprehensive claims not being a big deal for my record, but it’s the “market adjustment” stuff that stings.
- Luxury vehicles seem to get dinged extra on those across-the-board hikes, too. Not sure if it’s just perception, but my renewal was up 18% after all the “wildlife incidents” in the state last year.
- I’ve tried both national and local carriers. The locals are slower to jump, but like you said, when they do, it’s a big wallop instead of a slow creep.
- Claims processing speed is another thing. One company took weeks to approve repairs, while another had me sorted in days. The “premium” service doesn’t always match the premium price.
Honestly, I don’t think any insurer is really “good” at this point—just varying degrees of less bad. At least with comprehensive, you’re not getting hit for an accident that wasn’t your fault... but yeah, feels like you’re paying for it one way or another.
At least with comprehensive, you’re not getting hit for an accident that wasn’t your fault...
I get where you’re coming from, but I think there’s a bit more control than it feels like. I’ve found that keeping a super clean record and opting for higher deductibles actually helped soften those “market adjustment” blows. Not saying it’s fair, but it’s not totally out of our hands either. And about the “premium” service—sometimes the smaller outfits really do care more, even if they’re slower. I’d rather wait a week for repairs than get nickel-and-dimed on every little thing.
sometimes the smaller outfits really do care more, even if they’re slower
That’s actually been my experience too. My parents switched to a local agent after a big-name company kept messing up paperwork. The process was slower, but the guy actually remembered their names. I guess you trade speed for actual attention?
