In Missouri, your car insurance rates typically won’t increase if you file a claim for an accident that wasn’t your fault. State law generally protects drivers from being penalized when another driver causes the crash, but your rates will likely go up if you’re found to be at fault for the accident.
The decision to raise your rates depends on several key factors: who caused the accident, the type of coverage you use, and whether you file with your own insurer or the at-fault driver’s company.
Understanding these distinctions helps you make informed decisions about filing claims and protecting your financial interests after a crash.
When Do Insurers Raise Rates in Missouri?
Insurance companies in Missouri focus on one main factor when deciding whether to raise your rates: fault. They want to know who caused the accident and how much blame each driver should carry.
Your driving record, the severity of the crash, and your claims history all play a role. But fault is the biggest factor in determining whether your premium goes up.
Do Rates Rise Only for At-fault Accidents?
Yes, Missouri insurers primarily raise rates when you’re found at fault for an accident. You’re considered “at-fault” if you’re more than 50% responsible for causing the crash.
Your rates should stay the same in these common situations:
- Rear-ended while stopped: The driver who hit you from behind is almost always at fault
- Parked car hit: You can’t be blamed for an accident when your car wasn’t moving
- Other driver cited: If police gave the other driver a ticket but not you, that’s strong evidence they caused the crash
- Hit by uninsured driver: You’re not responsible when someone without insurance hits you
What Counts as a Chargeable Accident with My Carrier?
A “chargeable accident” is a crash that your insurance company can use to justify raising your rates. This typically happens when you’re at fault and the incident meets certain criteria.
Missouri requires reporting accidents that cause over $500 in property damage or any injury. Once an accident gets reported, your insurer reviews it to determine if you were at fault.
Key factors that make an accident chargeable include:
- Property damage over $500: Even minor fender benders often exceed this threshold.
- Any bodily injury: Medical bills from injuries make accidents more serious in insurers’ eyes
- Your fault percentage: Being 51% or more at fault typically triggers a rate increase
Can Claim History or Discount Removal Raise My Rate?
Even not-at-fault claims can sometimes affect your premium through discount changes. Many insurers offer “claims-free” or “accident-free” discounts that you might lose after filing any claim.
Some companies remove these discounts regardless of who caused the accident. You’re still not being penalized for the crash itself, but you’re losing a discount you previously earned.
Filing multiple claims in a short time can also raise red flags. Insurance companies might view you as “accident-prone” even if none of the crashes were your fault.
Should I File with My Insurer or the At-fault Driver’s Insurer?
You have two options after an accident that wasn’t your fault. You can file directly with the other driver’s insurance company, or you can file with your own insurer and let them handle it.
Filing directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance is usually better for protecting your rates. This keeps the claim off your record entirely since you’re dealing with their company, not yours.
When you file with your own company, they pay your damages first and then seek reimbursement from the other insurer. This process is called subrogation, and while it gets you paid faster, it puts a claim on your record.
What Evidence Helps Keep Your Rate from Rising?
Strong evidence that proves the other driver’s fault is your best protection against rate increases. The clearer the evidence, the harder it is for anyone to blame you for the crash.
Critical evidence to gather includes:
- Police report: Especially valuable if it cites the other driver for a violation
- Witness statements: Independent accounts from people who saw what happened
- Photos and videos: Document vehicle damage, skid marks, and traffic signals
- Dashcam footage: Video evidence is often the strongest proof available
This evidence helps your attorney prove you weren’t at fault. It also strengthens your insurer’s position if they need to recover money from the other driver’s company.
Do MedPay, UM, or Comprehensive Claims Raise Rates?
Your auto insurance policy includes different types of coverage, and they don’t all affect your rates the same way. Missouri law specifically protects you from rate increases for certain types of claims.
These coverages are designed to help you regardless of fault. Using them shouldn’t penalize you financially through higher premiums.
Do MedPay Claims Affect Premiums in Missouri?
Medical Payments coverage, or MedPay, pays your medical bills after an accident regardless of who caused it. This coverage exists to get you immediate medical care without worrying about fault or blame.
Missouri law generally prevents insurers from raising rates for MedPay claims alone. However, MedPay claims are often filed alongside other types of claims that might affect your rates.
Do UM or UMPD Claims Raise Insurance in Missouri?
Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverages protect you when someone without insurance hits you. Since the uninsured driver is at fault, not you, Missouri law prohibits rate increases for these claims.
UM coverage pays for your injuries when an uninsured driver hurts you. UMPD coverage pays for vehicle damage in the same situation.
Do Comprehensive Claims Increase Insurance?
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from events outside your control. These incidents are considered “acts of nature” or unavoidable circumstances that don’t reflect your driving ability.
Common comprehensive claims include:
- Weather damage: Hail, floods, or falling tree branches
- Animal strikes: Hitting a deer or other wildlife
- Theft or vandalism: Someone stealing or damaging your car
- Falling objects: Debris or other items hitting your vehicle
Filing comprehensive claims typically doesn’t raise your rates in Missouri because these events aren’t your fault.
Does a Hit-and-run Claim Raise Insurance in Missouri?
Hit-and-run accidents are covered under your Uninsured Motorist coverage because the at-fault driver is unknown and unavailable. Since you weren’t at fault, Missouri law protects you from rate increases.
However, you must follow specific steps to ensure your claim gets processed correctly and your rates stay protected.
You need to file a police report immediately after a hit-and-run. This official report is required to use your UM coverage and proves you followed proper procedures.
Document everything at the scene by taking photos of your vehicle damage and the accident location. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the incident and start your claim.
Will a Police Report or Form 1140 Make My Rates Go Up?
Missouri requires you to report accidents that cause injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage. You can do this by filing a Driver’s Accident Report (Form 1140) with the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Simply filing this required report won’t make your rates increase. The act of reporting is separate from the circumstances that caused the crash.
Your insurer looks at the information within the report to make rate decisions. They care about who was at fault, not whether you properly reported the accident.
Failing to file a required report can lead to license suspension. Having a suspended license will definitely increase your insurance costs and create bigger problems than the original accident.
How Long Do Rate Increases Last After an Accident?
Rate increases from at-fault accidents aren’t permanent. Surcharges for at-fault crashes can affect Missouri drivers’ premiums for multiple years.
The exact duration depends on your insurer and how serious the accident was. More severe crashes with injuries typically carry longer surcharge periods than minor property damage accidents.
| Accident Type | Typical Surcharge Period |
| Minor property damage only | 3 years |
| Major property damage | 3-5 years |
| Accident with injuries | 5 years |
| DUI-related accident | 5-7 years |
After the surcharge period ends, your rates should return to normal assuming you haven’t had other accidents. Some insurers gradually reduce the surcharge each year rather than keeping it constant.
How Do I Avoid or Reduce a Premium Increase?
You can’t always prevent rate increases after at-fault accidents, but you can take steps to protect yourself. The most important strategy is proving the other driver caused the crash.
Strong evidence and proper legal representation make the biggest difference in protecting your rates. Insurance companies are less likely to blame you when the facts clearly show someone else was at fault.
What Steps Help Keep Your Rate Down?
Taking immediate action after an accident gives you the best chance of avoiding rate increases. Focus on gathering evidence and protecting your legal position.
Key protective steps include:
- Document everything thoroughly: Photos, witness information, and police reports prove what really happened
- Consider accident forgiveness: Some policies include this feature for your first at-fault crash
- File with the other insurer first: Keep claims off your record when the other driver is clearly at fault
- Work with our experienced Missouri car accident attorney: We handle insurance communications and prove fault
Switching insurance companies right after an accident usually doesn’t help. When you switch insurers, the new company may review your claims history and could become aware of the accident.
Don’t Wait – Protect Your Rights Now
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we understand that insurance rate worries add stress after a crash. We help Missouri drivers protect their rights and their wallets after accidents.
Our firm focuses exclusively on Missouri auto accident law. We know exactly how to prove the other driver’s fault and keep unfair blame off your record.
We handle all communications with insurance companies from day one. This prevents you from accidentally saying something that could hurt your case or lead to higher rates.
Our family-run firm has helped injured Missourians recover compensation. We investigate every case thoroughly to build the strongest possible claim for our clients.
You shouldn’t have to worry about insurance rates when you’re dealing with injuries and vehicle damage. Let us handle the legal work while you focus on recovery.
For a free consultation, contact us online. We’re available 24/7 to discuss your case and explain your options.
FAQs
Will a Not-at-fault Claim Remove My Accident-free Discount in Missouri?
Some insurance policies remove accident-free discounts after any claim, regardless of fault. Check your policy details or ask your agent about your specific discount rules.
If My Insurer Pays First and Later Gets Reimbursed, Will I Be Surcharged?
You shouldn’t be surcharged if your insurer successfully recovers the full amount through subrogation. This process confirms you weren’t at fault for the accident.
Do MedPay Claims Affect My Premium in Missouri?
MedPay claims alone typically don’t raise your premium in Missouri. This coverage is designed to help with medical bills regardless of who caused the accident.
Will a Hit-and-run UM Claim Raise My Insurance Rates?
Hit-and-run claims filed under Uninsured Motorist coverage shouldn’t raise your rates in Missouri. You weren’t at fault since the other driver fled the scene.
How Much Can a First At-fault Accident Increase My Rate in Missouri?
A first at-fault accident can lead to an increase in your Missouri auto insurance rates.
How Long Do Surcharges Last in Missouri?
Surcharges for at-fault accidents often remain in effect for several years after the accident. They should drop off completely after this period if you remain accident-free.
Does Filing a Required Police Report Increase My Premium?
Filing required accident reports doesn’t increase your premium. Insurance companies base rate decisions on who caused the accident, not on proper reporting procedures.
