What Happens When You File an Uninsured Motorist Claim?
All drivers in California are required to carry liability insurance, but that doesn’t mean they do.
One source estimates there could be as many as 4.1 million uninsured drivers on California’s roads. This would be all well and good if these drivers never hit anyone, but they do, and the likelihood of getting hit by one is anything but zero.
If you have been injured, call the law offices of Legal One Law Group, APC now at (818)-805-2188 or contact us online for a free consultation. We will discuss your legal options and how we can assist you.
What if You Were Not at Fault?
If you were not at fault in an uninsured or underinsured motorist accident, you’ll still need to file a claim with your insurance company to get financial help. Uninsured motorist claims can account for damage to your vehicle and your injuries, but drivers might be wary to file these claims because they’re concerned about their premiums going up as a consequence.
Will Your Car Insurance Go Up After Filing an Uninsured Motorist Claim?
Your car insurance won’t go up. When a driver is at fault for an accident, they have to file a claim with their insurance company if they want help affording repairs to their vehicle or paying medical bills. Because they were responsible for what occurred, their insurance rate will rise – or they might even get dropped from their policy.
A lot of people think it works the same way when they’re hit by someone who doesn’t have insurance. Although the other person is clearly at fault, the insured driver not at fault is costing their carrier money to get help with their repairs and/or medical bills. Thankfully, a 1988 law prohibits insurance companies from punishing their policyholders for making uninsured/underinsured claims.
Proposition 103 prevents insurance companies from raising insurance rates or dropping policyholders who filed uninsured motorist claims when they weren’t responsible for an accident. While California doesn’t require drivers to have uninsured/underinsured coverage, drivers who do have it and need to use it can’t be penalized by their carriers for doing so.
In Conclusion:
If you were holding your breath, it’s OK to breathe now. You won’t suffer an insurance hike or risk getting dropped just because someone else without insurance hit you and you need help with accident-related expenses. Insurance is supposed to be there to help you when you need it, and – at least in this case – California law makes it illegal to punish you for needing it.
Still, it can be intimidating to deal with your insurance company at a time like this. If you encounter resistance from your insurance company or need help with your claim, Legal One Law Group can provide the legal assistance you need.
Call (818)-805-2188 or get in touch with our firm online today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you.