drsteve wrote:
Your rates are based on fault. Example: get rear ended at a stop light, turn in a claim for thousands, your rates will not rise. Rear ended someone, they're going up.
Simplistic, mostly true but not really. I provided an example above and there are other examples were regardless of fault you can have your rates go up.
One other one is comp claims. Windshields are a big item. Some compaines distinguish their top tier by limiting the number of comp claims and or the amount. So one of the cheaper carriers here will not allow you to be in their superior tier if you've had a comp claim over $500 in the last 5 years or if you've had more than 1 even if under that limit.
Same with accidents. When you have a disparity in what was paid vs what was subrogated on your CLUE report many carriers will classify that as an accident. No at fault, just classify it as something paid on your tab and that can impact rates. Again, regardless of fault.
There are tons of stuff that impact rates companies don't necessarily charge for. It may be a tricky word game but it is true none the less. Having someone no qualify for the top tier because of X doesn't mean they are surcharged for whatever X is. Where as if you get a ticket you will be surcharged and or lose discounts.
Slight, perhaps insignificant difference to you but a major one when carriers are going to state regulatory bodies and filing rates and looking to increase premiums. These days they aren't looking to "charge" you for things. It is more about having tons of different tiers for everything any anything they can find even the remotest statistical justification for. Easier to push through the rates they want that way and to nickle and dime people for stuff that can't even fathom would impact their insurance. People would be truly amazed at the **** used to determine what they pay for auto insurance.
