Nobody wants to get into a car accident. If you suffer the misfortune of being in an auto accident, you will encounter several changes in your life. Barring any injury, the next most noticeable change will be in your insurance rates. In Arizona, drivers pay an average of $1,547 per year for full coverage auto insurance. This amount is based on several different factors, but you can expect this cost to go up if you suffer an accident.
If you find yourself in this situation, you should contact an experienced attorney. Recovering from a car accident is hard enough, and you do want the added stress of increased insurance rates. An attorney can help you navigate this difficult situation with the insurance company.
Does My Location Affect My Insurance Rates?
In short, your location does affect your insurance rates. Specifically, Arizona drivers in larger cities (i.e., Phoenix and Glendale) pay anywhere from 20% to 23% higher rates than drivers in other Arizona cities. Higher rates based on location are due to many different factors. Such factors include the cost of medical care, property damages, taxes, and the higher cost of living associated with living in a larger city.
What Else Affects My Insurance Rates?
Location is not the only determining factor when it comes to your insurance. Your age, gender, driving history, and even credit history can impact your rate. In Arizona, average rates tend to be higher for younger drivers who are considered less experienced. For example, a twenty-five year old male pays 21% higher premiums on average than an older driver. Rates can also vary by gender, with annual premiums tending to be slightly higher for male drivers.
Also, information relating to your actual car can affect your insurance payment. Drivers who have around 6,000 miles on their car usually pay an average of $1,298 per year on car insurance, but drivers with 12,000 or more miles pay an average of $1,336. Furthermore, your car insurance rates will go up if you have speeding tickets or DUIs on your record. Studies found that a speeding ticket increases your rates by 23%, and a DUI can bring as much as a 50% increase in your rate.
Will an Accident Cause My Car Insurance to Go Up?
Unfortunately, an accident most certainly will cause an increase in your car insurance payment. How much of an increase depends on the severity of the accident, whether you were at-fault, and if you have more than one accident on your driving record.
In Arizona, average rates increased by around 40% for a driver with one accident on their record, compared to a driver with no accidents on their record.
Contact an Attorney at Feller & Wendt If Your Car Insurance Has Gone up Because of an Accident
The experienced legal team at Feller & Wendt may be able to help you if your car insurance rates have increased after an accident. Our car accident attorneys are well-versed in dealing with insurance companies of affected drivers, and we want to help you get the compensation you need.
Feller & Wendt has a reputation for making sure that our clients receive the most comprehensive treatment if they have been involved in a car accident. If you need legal assistance after a car accident, please contact us as soon as you are able to do so. We will listen to your story and fully explain your options. Should you decide to hire one of our attorneys, you pay no fee up-front. Arizona residents can contact us by calling (480) 702-2277 or visiting our website.
