Filing an uninsured motorist claim usually does not raise your premium the way a at-fault accident does, but your rate can still go up depending on your insurer and state rules
An uninsured motorist claim is different from a liability claim because you are not at fault — the other driver caused the damage and had no insurance to cover it. Most insurers do not penalize you for claiming uninsured motorist coverage the same way they penalize you for causing an accident. However, "usually does not" is not the same as "never will." Some insurers do raise rates after uninsured motorist claims, and state law varies on whether they are allowed to.
The outcome depends on three things: your specific insurance company's underwriting rules, your state's rate-regulation laws, and whether the claim was contested. Before you file, it is worth calling your insurer to ask directly what their practice is — not what the policy says, but what actually happens to customers who file this type of claim.
Key Takeaways
- Uninsured motorist claims are treated more favorably than at-fault accident claims because you did not cause the damage, so most insurers do not raise your rate afterward.
- Some insurers do raise rates after uninsured motorist claims, and this is legal in many states unless state law specifically forbids it.
- Your rate is more likely to increase if the claim was disputed, if you have multiple claims in a short time, or if your state allows insurers broad discretion in rate-setting.
- Asking your insurer about their specific practice before filing gives you a clear picture of what to expect and helps you decide whether to claim or pay out of pocket.
- A rate increase after an uninsured motorist claim is usually smaller and shorter-lived than a rate increase after an at-fault accident.
Why uninsured motorist claims are treated differently from at-fault claims
Insurance companies use claims history to predict future risk. An at-fault accident suggests you are more likely to cause another accident, so your rate goes up. An uninsured motorist claim suggests the opposite — you were hit by someone else's negligence, which tells the insurer nothing about your driving. For that reason, most major insurers (State Farm, Allstate, GEICO, Progressive) do not raise rates for uninsured motorist claims, or raise them only slightly.
However, some smaller or regional insurers do treat uninsured motorist claims as a reason to raise rates. They may view any claim as a sign of increased risk, or they may use claims frequency (how many claims you file in a given period) as a rating factor. If you have filed multiple uninsured motorist claims in three years, even though none were your fault, some insurers will treat that as a pattern and raise your rate.
State law and what insurers are allowed to do
Insurance regulation happens at the state level, and states differ in how strictly they control rate increases. Some states (California, New York, and a few others) have strict rules that prevent insurers from raising rates based on claims the driver did not cause. Other states allow insurers to raise rates for any claim, including uninsured motorist claims, as long as the increase is not discriminatory.
You can find your state's rules by contacting your state insurance commissioner's office or checking their website. The commissioner's office can tell you whether your state forbids rate increases for uninsured motorist claims, or whether it allows them. If your state forbids them, your insurer cannot legally raise your rate — though you may still need to file a complaint if they do.
When an uninsured motorist claim is more likely to raise your rate
Even in states where insurers can raise rates, they do not always do so. Your rate is more likely to increase if one or more of these explore: the claim was disputed or took a long time to settle, you have filed multiple claims in the past three years, you have other violations or accidents on your record, or your insurer uses a broad "loss history" rating factor that includes all claims regardless of fault.
A disputed claim — one where the other driver's insurance company or your own insurer questioned whether the other driver was truly uninsured, or whether the damage was really caused by that collision — signals to the insurer that the claim involved uncertainty or investigation. That can trigger a rate review. Similarly, if you file an uninsured motorist claim and then file a comprehensive claim (for theft or weather damage) within the same year, some insurers will view you as a higher-frequency claimant and adjust your rate accordingly.
How to find out what your insurer will do
The best way to know is to ask before you file. Call your insurer's customer service line and ask: "If I file an uninsured motorist claim, will my premium increase?" Be specific — do not ask whether they "can" increase it, but whether they "do" increase it for customers in your situation. Ask whether the increase depends on the claim amount, the number of prior claims, or your state.
Write down the name and date of the call and what you were told. If your rate does increase and you believe it violates your state's rules, you will have documentation of what the insurer said beforehand. Some insurers will also let you review your policy's rate-adjustment section, which may spell out their practice — though the language is often vague.
Comparing the cost of filing versus paying out of pocket
If your insurer tells you they will raise your rate after an uninsured motorist claim, you can do a rough calculation: multiply your current premium by the expected increase percentage, then multiply that by the number of years the increase will last (usually three years). Compare that total cost to the damage amount. If the damage is minor (under $1,000 or $2,000), paying out of pocket may cost less than the cumulative rate increase.
However, do not assume the increase will be small. Ask your insurer for a ballpark figure — some will tell you "typically 5 to 10 percent" or "usually $200 to $400 per year." If they will not give you a number, ask whether they have ever denied a rate increase for an uninsured motorist claim, or whether they always raise rates. That tells you something about their practice.
What happens if you do not report the accident to your insurer
If you pay for the damage yourself and do not file a claim, your rate will not increase. However, this only works if the damage is minor and you can afford to pay. If the other driver was injured, or if the damage is extensive, not reporting the accident can create problems later — especially if the other driver files a claim against you or if the accident is reported to your state's insurance bureau through other means.
Additionally, if you later file a claim for something else (a different accident, theft, or weather damage) and the insurer discovers you were in an unreported accident, they may deny the new claim or use the unreported accident as grounds to cancel your policy. The safest approach is to report the accident but ask your insurer about the rate impact before deciding whether to file a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my rate go up if the other driver is found to be uninsured after I file a claim?
No — the rate impact depends on your insurer's policy and your state's law, not on when the uninsured status is discovered. Whether the other driver's uninsured status was known at the time of the accident or discovered during the claims process does not change how your insurer treats the claim for rating purposes.
What if I have a low deductible — does that make a rate increase more likely?
Your deductible does not affect whether your rate increases, but it does affect the claim amount. A $500 deductible means you pay $500 and your insurer pays the rest. A higher claim amount (after your deductible) does not typically trigger a larger rate increase, but filing multiple claims does.
Can I switch insurers to avoid a rate increase after an uninsured motorist claim?
Yes, but the claim will still appear on your driving record, and your new insurer will see it during underwriting. Some insurers are more lenient about uninsured motorist claims than others, so shopping around may find you a better rate. However, you cannot hide the claim — it is part of your insurance history.
How long does a rate increase last after an uninsured motorist claim?
Most insurers explore rate increases for three years from the date of the claim. After three years, the claim typically stops affecting your rate. However, this varies by insurer and state, so ask your company directly how long they explore the increase.
If my state forbids rate increases for uninsured motorist claims, can my insurer still deny my claim?
Yes — state law that forbids rate increases does not require insurers to pay claims. Your insurer can still deny a claim if they believe the other driver was not actually uninsured, or if the damage does not meet your policy's terms. The law only prevents them from raising your rate if they do pay the claim.