Will My Insurance Go Up If Someone Hits Me?

Key Takeaways

• Your insurance rates can increase even if you’re not at fault in Edwardsville, Illinois.
• Insurers may view any accident involvement as a risk factor when setting premiums.
• Clear evidence (dashcam, police report, witness statements) improves your chances of keeping current rates.
• Severe accidents, prior claims, and costly repairs make rate increases more likely.
• Uninsured motorist (UM) claims usually don’t raise your premium, but repeated claims can still affect underwriting.

Getting hit by another driver raises immediate concerns beyond vehicle damage and injuries. One pressing question dominates: will my insurance go up if someone hits me? The answer depends on Illinois law, your policy details, and how insurers assess risk in Edwardsville. Walton Telken helps accident victims navigate these insurance complexities while fighting for fair compensation after collisions caused by negligent drivers.

Can Your Insurance Rates Increase If You’re Not at Fault in Edwardsville, Illinois?

Your rates can increase even when you’re not at fault, though this happens less frequently than with at-fault accidents. Insurance carriers sometimes view any collision history as an indicator of increased risk, regardless of who caused the crash.

While Illinois doesn’t explicitly prohibit insurers from raising rates after not-at-fault accidents, most rate decisions depend on individual insurer underwriting guidelines, prior claim history, and internal risk assessments, which means outcomes can vary widely between carriers.

Why Not-at-Fault Accidents Can Still Affect Your Rates

Some insurance companies consider accident involvement itself a statistical risk factor. Their actuarial data suggests drivers involved in multiple collisions face a higher future accident probability than those with clean records. This controversial practice means being in the wrong place at the wrong time could cost you money. Accident forgiveness means an insurer agrees not to increase a customer’s premium after the driver becomes involved in an at-fault accident, though coverage terms vary by policy.

How Illinois Comparative Negligence Impacts Insurance Decisions

Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence system. Comparative negligence laws dictate how responsibility for an accident gets shared between parties directly involved in a crash where bodily injury or property damage occurred. When both drivers contributed to the collision, this framework determines who receives compensation and how much each party recovers. If you’re found less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages proportional to the other driver’s responsibility.

Factors That Can Cause Your Insurance Rates to Go Up After an Accident

Insurance rate changes rarely depend on one issue alone. Multiple elements influence whether your premiums climb after someone hits you in Edwardsville.

Fault Determination and Insurance Company Policies

The clearer your innocence, the better your chances of maintaining current premium levels. Solid evidence, such as dashcam footage, police reports citing the other driver, and witness statements, strengthens your position. Disputed fault scenarios where insurers can’t definitively establish the other driver caused the collision often result in premium adjustments. Each insurance company maintains unique underwriting guidelines for handling not-at-fault accidents. For guidance, see Should I File a Claim With My Insurance If I’m Not at Fault?

Accident Severity, Frequency, and Claim History

Severe crashes involving injuries or high repair costs attract closer scrutiny. High-value claims signal greater financial exposure, potentially triggering rate reviews regardless of fault. Also, multiple collisions within a short timeframe, even when caused by other drivers, raise red flags about risk patterns and may prompt carriers to reassess your premium rates.

How Long Rate Increases Typically Last in Edwardsville, Illinois

Most insurers maintain increased premiums for three to five years following an accident. The exact duration depends on your carrier’s rating methodology. Clean driving after an accident gradually reduces the impact on your rates, potentially qualifying you for good driver discounts.

Will Using Uninsured Motorist Coverage Raise Your Rates?

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage provides essential financial protection when hit by drivers lacking proper insurance.

How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Works in Edwardsville, Illinois

UM coverage steps in when an at-fault driver carries no insurance or inadequate liability limits to cover your damages. This policy feature covers your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle repairs when the responsible party can’t. Illinois requires insurers to offer UM coverage, though drivers can reject these protections in writing.

When UM Claims Usually Do Not Increase Premiums

Most insurers treat UM claims more favorably than at-fault collision claims. Because the insured driver did not cause the crash, premium hikes remain less common. Still, frequent UM claims may raise concerns within underwriting departments, particularly in high-traffic areas around Madison County.

What to Do After Someone Hits You to Protect Your Insurance Rates

Taking immediate action following an accident strengthens your position with insurance companies. Document everything with photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, and the accident scene. Obtain the police report and never admit fault at the scene. Seek medical evaluation even without obvious injuries. Avoid providing recorded statements to the other driver’s insurance company without legal representation.

Contact Our Edwardsville Car Accident Lawyers About Protecting Your Insurance Rates

Car accidents create financial stress beyond immediate expenses. Rising insurance premiums compound these burdens, particularly when another driver caused your collision. Our experienced car accident attorneys at Walton Telken fight to protect your financial interests and pursue fair compensation. Contact us today at 844-307-7349 for a free consultation about your accident and insurance concerns.

Troy E. Walton

In his two decades of practice, Troy E. Walton has successfully resolved several plaintiffs’ personal injury cases resulting in significant recoveries to his clients. Troy’s compassionate client advocacy has also resulted in major successes against powerful entities such as the U.S. Army and the Illinois State Police. In recognition of these results and others, Troy was inducted into the Million Dollar Advocate’s Forum – an organization whose members include many of the top trial lawyers in the United States.

Years of experience: Over 25 years
Bar Admissions: Illinois, 2001 and Missouri, 2000
Location: Edwardsville, IL.