Insurance rate increase after a claim?

[Candice]

We have Allstate insurance on a 10 year old fifth wheel. We had some body damage to the fifth wheel on a trip and it has been estimated to be about $5000 to fix it perfect, or about $3000 to fix it OK for a ten year old camper.

What is your opinion? Do we turn it in to the insurance? How much will our rates go up?

If we don't turn it into the insurance for a claim, we would pay for it ourselves and take the cheaper way. We probably plan on keeping this fifth wheel another five years.

Any opinions one way or the other?

[mich800]

Redsky wrote:
In California it is illegal to raise rates after a claim is filed. Check your state's regs. Either way I would file the claim and worst case find another insurance company if Allstate increase your rates.

Overall Allstate is better than State Farm when it comes to actually paying claims.

I shop for insurance each year to verify that I am getting the best rates and with my current carrier to adjust my coverage levels on my cars, truck, boats, and house.

I am not from CA but just curious. Is it illegal to raise rates after a claim but before the policy expiration only. I would imagine they could raise rates at renewal.

[RAS43]

Greydog 1 wrote:
Just remember in all your dealings, no insurance company is your friend. Get your claim settled and if rates increase,send the company packing.

And keep them honest by getting quotes every 2-3 years from other companies. I have found savings for both home and auto this way.

[Greydog_1]

Just remember in all your dealings, no insurance company is your friend. Get your claim settled and if rates increase,send the company packing.

[Redsky]

In California it is illegal to raise rates after a claim is filed. Check your state's regs. Either way I would file the claim and worst case find another insurance company if Allstate increase your rates.

Overall Allstate is better than State Farm when it comes to actually paying claims.

I shop for insurance each year to verify that I am getting the best rates and with my current carrier to adjust my coverage levels on my cars, truck, boats, and house.

[Bmach]

My brain read it as somebody, instead of some body.

[Ron3rd]

Call your agent and discuss; they can probably give you the correct answer.

[Turbo_Diesel_Du]

You should try Florida's rates. Exhorbitant (?)to say the least !!

[kvangil]

dodge guy wrote:
I can tell you All State will raise your rates! My wife had an accident, first one almost 20 years. Car got fixed and they jacked up the rates by approx $500 a year! All that money paid into All State for 15 years with no accidents and they gouge you when you use it for the first time. I'm not one for regulation, but something like this is borderline criminal!

We went with another company and even with her accident it was cheaper than what we previously paid All State before the accident!

I see your experience is similar and you're in Illinois too. We're the state that gouges you in many different ways... LOL

[kvangil]

Duck wrote:

kvangil wrote:
My parents had Allstate for several years. A few years ago, they made 1 claim for wind damage to the house, at a cost of about $2500. Their renewal rate went up 100%. Found them equivalent coverage with another carrier for less than what they paid before. Hope for the best, be prepared for the worst... Good luck!

Most insurance companies do not raise rate for a claim of this type,mother nature.
Don

I'm just telling you what I witnessed firsthand. It was accompanied by a letter that I don't recall exact message, but alluded to the fact that they filed the homeowners claim. That was 5+ years ago, so who knows what their practice is today. Up to that point, my parents were Allstate customers for 10+ years without filing a single claim...

[wa8yxm]

Laws vary from state to state but where I hang my Driver's License, the rules are as follows.

You hit me,,, I file a claim,, NO increase in my premium due to the claim. YOU, however. get ye-old SHAFT.

Likewise if I hit you.. I get shafted.

If I hit Tree, I get shafted.

Now that is the theory.. Here is the practice.

Rates go up. (Generally, there are exceptions) Does not matter if you scratch the paint, dent the fenders or park it in secure storage for the entire year and do not even expose it to risk.. RATES go up.. That said.

I recall one year when one forum member was complaining something like this:

Good driving record, No tickets, No accidents, No claimes and my rates went up $X,XXX.00 dollars. I forget the amount.

But that is more than I pay for insurance on this rig per year.. .Mine, that year, went down some 2 or 3 hundred (forget which).

That said.. I now have a major complaint with my insurance company.. They ....issed me off as it were so I'm shopping for new coverage.

Would you believe a Motor Home is *NOT* an automobile? That's what they claim.

[dodge_guy]

I can tell you All State will raise your rates! My wife had an accident, first one almost 20 years. Car got fixed and they jacked up the rates by approx $500 a year! All that money paid into All State for 15 years with no accidents and they gouge you when you use it for the first time. I'm not one for regulation, but something like this is borderline criminal!

We went with another company and even with her accident it was cheaper than what we previously paid All State before the accident!

[2112]

I had my TT stolen a few years ago. Foremost handed me a check for $28K and my rate now is comparable to the pre-claim rate.

Just one data point for you, Allstate may be different.

[Laman]

Duck wrote:

kvangil wrote:
My parents had Allstate for several years. A few years ago, they made 1 claim for wind damage to the house, at a cost of about $2500. Their renewal rate went up 100%. Found them equivalent coverage with another carrier for less than what they paid before. Hope for the best, be prepared for the worst... Good luck!

Most insurance companies do not raise rate for a claim of this type,mother nature.
Don

You must not have been in Florida in 2004 after 4 hurricanes in one season. Hugely increased home owners rates, cancelled policys, the famous extra hurricane deductible, insurance companies leaving the state, mother nature!

[Duck]

kvangil wrote:
My parents had Allstate for several years. A few years ago, they made 1 claim for wind damage to the house, at a cost of about $2500. Their renewal rate went up 100%. Found them equivalent coverage with another carrier for less than what they paid before. Hope for the best, be prepared for the worst... Good luck!

Most insurance companies do not raise rate for a claim of this type,mother nature.
Don