Will My Insurance Go Up After a Claim?
Many drivers worry that their insurance will increase after making a claim. In most cases, the answer is yes, but the amount depends on several factors. Some drivers only see a small increase, while others face a much higher renewal price. The type of claim, the cost of the repairs, and your driving history all influence how much you pay. Even if another driver caused the accident, your insurer may still increase your premium when your policy renews.
Why Premiums Increase
Insurers use claims history to assess risk. When you make a claim, your insurer adds that information to your record and recalculates how likely you are to claim again in the future. If you have made a claim, they may view you as more likely to claim again.
Insurance companies rely heavily on statistics. Their data shows that drivers who have claimed in the past often make more claims in the future than drivers who have never claimed. As a result, insurers adjust premiums to reflect that increased risk.
The size of the claim also matters. A minor claim for a chipped windscreen may have little impact, while a large claim involving extensive repairs or injury costs can lead to a more noticeable increase.
Your No Claims Bonus can also affect your renewal price. If you do not protect your bonus, your insurer may reduce your discount after a claim, which can significantly increase the amount you pay.
Insurers also consider other factors such as your age, postcode, vehicle type, and recent driving history. They combine all of this information to calculate your new premium after a claim.
Factors That Affect the Increase
Your premium may rise depending on:
- Whether the accident was your fault
- The cost of the claim
- Your age and driving experience
- Previous claims history
- Whether your no claims discount was affected
Non-Fault Claims Can Still Affect Your Price
Even if another driver caused the accident, your insurer may still increase your premium.
Protecting Your No Claims Discount
Some policies allow you to pay extra to protect your no claims discount.
Ways to Keep Costs Down
- Compare quotes each year
- Increase your voluntary excess
- Improve your driving habits
- Use telematics-based insurance
Save with Rooster
Rooster’s Test Drive uses your real driving data to reward safer drivers with discounts of up to 40%. We also compare quotes from over 100 providers to help you find the best price.
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