CHICAGO, IL – Many drivers are concerned about filing a claim against their own insurance company after being in a car accident. In this blog, we will explore if filing an uninsured motorist claim will affect your premium when you go to renew with the company. Unfortunately, the answer is not simple.
Can My Insurance Company Raise My Rates If I File an Uninsured Motorist Claim?
Insurance companies in all at-fault states can raise your rates after an accident. In more at-fault states, there is no rule prohibiting insurance companies from raising your rates after you make a claim for a car accident that wasn’t your fault. In Illinois, uninsured motorist coverage kicks in when you show your documentation that the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident has no insurance. This claim should not raise your rates because you were not determined to be at fault.
Most insurance companies are private entities; therefore, they are allowed to do what they wish when it comes to raising an insured’s rates. If you were to utilize your insurance coverage in an accident, you may wonder if your rates will increase. Unfortunately, it depends on the insurer. Some insurers will raise your insurance rates, even if you use only the uninsured motorist coverage. Others will only raise your insurance rates if you were considered “at-fault” for the accident.
You should be able to turn to your auto insurance for help after an accident, especially if you have vehicle damage or even medical costs. However, because the other driver was uninsured or underinsured, you may have to utilize your uninsured motorist insurance coverage. In Illinois, drivers are required to carry a minimum of liability insurance. To comply with the law, a driver must carry coverage for:
- $25,000 injury or death of one person in an accident
- $50,000 injury or death of more than one person in an accident
- $20,000 for property damage
It’s against the law to have no insurance, although thousands of drivers nationwide drive uninsured or carry the minimum insurance coverage required. Even if a driver carries the minimums stated above, they are unlikely to have adequate coverage for the injuries and damages associated with a car crash.
This is where the car accident attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group can help you. From the moment of the accident, your best interests are not the same as the insurer’s. Ultimately, they are looking out for their bottom line and their profits. An insurance carrier may also use terms in your policy to deny your claim or significantly reduce how much they pay. You can count on the lawyers at the Dinizulu Law Group to help advise you in this difficult process.
How Much Can I Recover in Illinois for My Uninsured Motorist Claim?
The current limits for uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. However, it’s possible to get policies with higher amounts, depending on the protection you want.
If you decide to get a higher amount of uninsured motorist bodily injury insurance, you will also need underinsured motorist bodily injury insurance. This coverage helps cover damages if the other driver has insufficient insurance.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Chicago, Illinois
After seeking treatment and collecting as much evidence as you can, it’s important to speak with a car accident attorney in Illinois to discuss your potential case. The car accident lawyers at the Dinizulu Law Group offer free consultations to review the details of your accident and help determine who was liable. Our attorneys are here to help you navigate the complicated claims and legal process on your behalf.
Contact us today at (312) 384-1920 to get started on your car accident claim.
