After filing an auto accident claim, one dreaded consequence drivers can expect is the inevitable increase in premium costs. A recent ValuePenguin analysis found that auto insurance policyholders in certain states pay more for insurance following an accident or theft than in neighboring states. In a separate study, the personal-finance website discovered that drivers' premiums after an auto claim could vary significantly depending on their insurance company. ValuePenguin examined rates for accidents with bodily injuries based on auto insurance policies for a 30-year-old male sample driver with a 2015 Honda Civic gathered from every state from the largest U.S. auto insurers. View the above slideshow to see how auto insurance rates are affected following an accident claim with the five largest auto insurers. According to ValuePenguin, many insurance companies impose certain thresholds on what is considered an accident when raising rates. For example, State Farm requires a claim to be over $750 between liability and collision coverages with the driver at least 50% at fault in order to say an accident occurred. Additionally, some insurers offer "accident forgiveness," albeit this benefit is usually an add-on cost for the policyholder or offered as a loyalty perk. However, even if an accident claim is filed and rates are impacted, the change will not be permanent for drivers. "The longer ago you made a claim on your insurance, the less of an impact it will have on your rates. Your rates will go up the most immediately after the crash, then return to normal after between three and five years," writes Ben Breiner, senior writer with ValuePenguin. "In our research, we found that if you were responsible for a crash within the last six months and made a liability claim, [your] rates will increase by about 60% the next time your policy renews. That increase will go away gradually over time, with rates lowering to about 47% higher than normal after two years and only 2.4% higher than normal after four years."

Source: ValuePenguin

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