If you have recently been in an auto accident in New Jersey, you are likely dealing with considerable stress, but worrying about whether your car insurance rates will increase as a result shouldn't be your priority when making a claim.
Here are some facts about how accidents affect New Jersey car insurance rates and what you can do to minimize the effect of potential premium rate increases should this ever happen to you. After all, automobile insurance is meant to keep us protected in case of an accident, and finding the right plan will ensure that.
Choosing Accident Forgiveness - There are a number of auto insurance policies on the market in New Jersey that offer first at-fault accident forgiveness. This means that your rates will not go up for your first accident.
Ask Your Insurance Company For Their Surcharge Schedule - A surcharge schedule is the document that outlines how your New Jersey insurance company increases rates based on claims you and their other customers make. They are required by law to have this type of document and you are entitled to a copy of it if you request it.
Know Your Policy - This may seem obvious, but knowing exactly what is covered in your automobile insurance policy and what happens in case of an accident will ensure that you are prepared if it should occur. Depending on your policy, you may or may not have an insurance premium hike after an accident. This is a good thing to know when you are shopping around for car insurance.
In most cases, the more claims you make the more your rates will increase. A few comparisons, however, can help you find a company that will not only offer you fair rate increases, but one that is transparent about its charges.