How Much Does Car Insurance Go Up After an Accident in Louisiana?

Even the most experienced drivers can unexpectedly find themselves involved in a car accident. After a collision, it’s pretty common to wonder whether your insurance might increase. If you or a loved one was involved in a car accident, you may be wondering: How much does car insurance go up after an accident in Louisiana?

Understanding your rights and available options for disputing legal liability can help you prevent insurance rate hikes.

Need to Know Car Insurance Rate Information

Louisiana is known for having some of the highest premiums for car insurance in the country. Insurance rates are based on many factors, including the dangers you face on your state’s roadways. When you file a claim against your insurance policy, your rates typically increase. Whether you use the I-10 or the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, you must have minimum liability coverage when you drive your vehicle.

Each day in the United States, about 6,500 people are hurt in car accidents. The average car accident claim is for more than $26,000. Consequently, you might be worried about whether your car insurance may go up after a crash and by how much. Here are some factors that impact your insurance rates after a collision.

Does Your Car Insurance Increase After an Accident?

In Louisiana, your car insurance typically increases after an accident if you are considered the at-fault driver responsible for causing the accident. However, the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) prohibits insurance companies from raising your insurance rates, canceling your policy, or charging any extra fees for accidents where you were not at fault.

For at-fault accidents, rate increases can be significant, sometimes around 40 percent or more, and typically last for about three years. Even a small percentage of fault can still affect your insurance rates. You can potentially reduce the impact of an at-fault accident by:

• Shopping around to compare quotes from different insurance companies
• Taking safety courses to help potentially reduce your rates
• Working with a lawyer who can ensure you are not unfairly impacted by the accident, particularly when determining fault

What Factors Determine How Much Your Car Insurance Increases After an Accident?

After a crash, there are several factors that may affect the amount drivers may see their insurance rates increase in the Bayou State. These include:

• The accident severity. Minor fender benders typically result in smaller rate increases, but more serious accidents with bodily injuries or significant property damage usually lead to higher premiums.
• Your at-fault status. If you are deemed at-fault for causing the accident, your rates can certainly increase because you are seen as a higher overall driving risk.
• Your driving history. Your record before the accident does play a role. A clean driving record without prior accidents may result in a smaller increase, while a history of multiple accidents or violations might lead to a larger insurance rate increase.
• Your insurance company’s policies. Every insurance company has its own specific policies. Some may increase rates more than others after an accident. It’s worth reading your specific policy to review what happens if you’re involved in an accident.
• The cost of the insurance claim. The total amount your insurance company has to pay out is a substantial factor in determining whether your rates may go up. The more expensive the claim is, the more likely your rates are to increase.
• Where the accident happened and whether multiple vehicles were involved. Accidents near I-10, I-20, I-12, and LA 1, and accidents that happen near large cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, typically involve multiple vehicles, which often happen on high-risk highways at high speeds. As a result, you may see a larger premium hike.

The specific amount your insurance rate may increase, and for how long it may increase, depends on your particular insurance policy.

FAQs

Can a Louisiana Attorney Help Shield Me from Unfair Rate Hikes?

Yes, a Louisiana attorney can help shield you from unfair rate hikes, as they can help prove the appropriate party is held responsible for a car accident. If the other driver is at fault, it can help ensure your rates don’t increase, and your attorney can pursue compensation on your behalf for any injuries or property damage you may have sustained. They also understand Louisiana’s insurance and personal injury laws, which can help protect your legal interests.

What Evidence Is Helpful to Prove Fault and Ensure My Insurance Rates Don’t Increase?

After a crash, there are many different kinds of evidence that can help prove the other driver is at fault for the accident, which ensures your insurance rates don’t unfairly increase. You can rely on accident reports from the Crowley Police Department, dashcam video, and eyewitness testimony. Also, consider hiring an attorney, since they can help explore whether any additional evidence is available to help prove fault.

How Long Does a Car Accident Typically Stay on Your Record in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, car accidents typically stay on a driver’s record for several years, depending on the severity of the accident and whether you were at fault. When calculating premiums, insurance companies may consider at-fault accidents for three years. Yet, minor fender benders typically have less of an impact on your record, and some insurance companies provide accident forgiveness.

How Much Does My Car Insurance Increase After My First Accident?

After your first accident, the amount your car insurance rates can increase is based on whether you were responsible for causing the accident, the cost of the claim, and your prior driving history. However, an at-fault determination for even a minor accident usually leads to an increased car insurance rate. No-fault fender benders typically have little to no impact on car insurance rates. Either review your existing policy or contact your insurance carrier for more information.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer at the Cox Law Firm Today

If you need to hire a car accident lawyer in Louisiana, call the Cox Law Firm. We believe car accidents shouldn’t cause you to pay higher insurance premiums. If you were unfairly blamed for a wreck, we should be your first call. We can dispute liability, challenge insurance company investigations, and protect your interests. Contact us today.