If you’re one of the lucky ones whose home insurance premium didn’t go up after a claim, you can count yourself among a select group. A analysis of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners shows that, on average, homeowners who made one claim saw their premiums increase by 9.1 percent. The study, which was conducted by the nonpartisan Consumer Federation of America, found that while some insurers raised rates only modestly after a claim, others more than doubled them. And while most homeowners who experience a loss file only one claim, about 20 percent of policyholders with a claim had filed two or more over the previous five years. On average, premiums increased the most—by 14 percent—after a fire claim. Wind and hail damage came in second, with an average premium hike of 11 percent. Water damage, including that caused by bursting pipes, averaged a 9 percent increase. “Consumers who have the misfortune of suffering a covered loss should not be penalized with sky-high rates,” says J. Robert Hunter, the federation’s director of insurance and former Texas insurance commissioner. The good news, Hunter says, is that shopping around can help keep rate increases to a minimum. When comparing rates, he recommends that consumers get quotes from at least three different insurers, both before and after they experience a loss.
How much will your home insurance rates go up after a claim?
Your home insurance rates are likely to go up after a claim, but the amount will vary depending on your insurer and the severity of the claim.
How much does the average home insurance policy increase after a claim?
After filing a home insurance claim, the average policyholder can expect their premiums to increase by about 9%, according to a new study from InsuranceQuotes.com. This may not seem like a huge jump, but it can add up to a significant amount of money over time – especially if you file multiple claims. And it’s even more of a burden if you live in a state with high insurance rates to begin with. For example, let’s say you have a $250,000 homeowners policy with a $1,000 deductible and you file a $10,000 claim. Your premium will likely increase by $900 the following year, bumping up your annual bill to $2,850. If you live in Louisiana – where the average premium is already $2,535 – that’s a 35% increase. In Oklahoma, where the average premium is $1,964, it’s a 46% increase. “Filing a home insurance claim is no fun, but it’s especially painful if it causes your premiums to skyrocket,” said Laura Adams, senior analyst for InsuranceQuotes.com. “Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage.”
How much did your home insurance go up after you filed a claim?
If you’re one of the unlucky few who have had to file a home insurance claim, you’re probably all too familiar with the resulting premium hike. On average, home insurance rates go up about 20% after a claim, according to data from InsuranceQuotes.com. Of course, that’s just an average, so your premium could rise much more than that or not at all. It all depends on factors like the type of claim you filed, the severity of the damage and your claims history. Here’s a closer look at why your home insurance rate goes up after a claim and what you can do about it. Why does my home insurance premium go up after a claim? There are a few reasons your home insurance company might raise your rates after you file a claim. For one thing, filing a claim makes you a less-attractive customer to insurers. They may view you as more likely to file another claim in the future, so they’ll charge you a higher premium to offset that risk. What’s more, home insurance companies often raise rates across the board after paying out a lot of claims. That’s because they need to recoup their losses and boost their bottom line. And finally, the type of claim you filed could make your home insurance rate go up. For example, water damage claims are particularly costly for insurers, so if you filed one of those, you can expect your rates to increase more than if you’d filed a wind damage claim. What can I do about it? Unfortunately, there’s not a whole lot you can do about your premium going up after you file a claim. However, there are a few things you can do to lessen the blow. First, shop around. If your home insurance company is raising your rates too much, you may be able to find a better deal elsewhere. Just be sure to compare apples to apples when you’re shopping around, so you’re sure you’re getting the same level of coverage for a lower price. You might also consider raising your deductible. A higher deductible means you’ll have to pay more out of pocket when you file a claim, but it also means a lower premium. So if you can afford to pay a little more out of pocket, raising your deductible could help offset some of the premium increase.
Finally, take steps to prevent future claims. One of the best ways to do that is to make sure your home is properly maintained. That means fixing any damage right away, such as a leaking roof or a cracked foundation. Doing so will help you avoid more expensive problems down the road – and a bigger premium increase next time you file a claim.
How to avoid rate hikes after filing a home insurance claim
Rate hikes after filing a home insurance claim are unfortunately all too common. Your premium is likely to go up after you make a claim, but there are things you can do to try to keep the increase to a minimum. Here are a few tips: 1. Shop around – Once you’ve filed a claim, your current insurer may hike your rates. However, that doesn’t mean you have to stay with them. Shop around and compare rates from other insurers to see if you can find a better deal. 2. Ask for discounts – Many insurers offer discounts for things like installing security systems or taking other steps to reduce the risk of future claims. If you’re not already taking advantage of these discounts, now is the time to do so. 3. Raise your deductible – The deductible is the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance policy kicks in. Raising your deductible can sometimes help to offset a rate hike. 4. Pay your premium in full – Some insurers offer a discount if you pay your annual premium in full instead of making monthly payments. This discount can help to offset a rate hike. 5. Review your coverage – Make sure you have the right coverage for your needs. Sometimes people find that they are paying for coverage they don’t really need. Reviewing your coverage and making sure you’re not over- or under-insured can help to reduce your rates. Following these tips can help you avoid or minimize rate hikes after filing a home insurance claim.
How much more will you pay for home insurance after making a claim?
When it comes to home insurance, making a claim will almost always result in your rates going up. How much your rates increase will depend on a number of factors, including the type and amount of the claim, your insurance company’s policy, and your claims history. In some cases, your rates could increase by hundreds of dollars per year.
How to keep your home insurance rates from increasing after a claim
No one likes paying for home insurance, but it’s a necessary evil. And, if you have to make a claim, your rates are likely to go up. But there are a few things you can do to keep your rates from increasing too much.
1. Shop around. After a claim, your current insurer may raise your rates. But that doesn’t mean all insurers will. So, it’s worth shopping around to see if you can find a better deal elsewhere.
2. Ask about discounts. There are a variety of discounts available that could help offset any rate increase. Things like installing security devices or being claims-free for a certain period of time could help lower your rates.
3. Pay your premium in full. If you can afford to, paying your premium in full rather than in monthly installments could also help keep your rates down.
4. Increase your deductible. If you’re willing to pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim, you may be able to lower your premium.
5. Consider dropping some coverage. If you have coverage that you don’t really need, such as for jewelry or other valuables, you may be able to save on your premium by dropping it. No one wants to pay more for home insurance, but if you have to make a claim, it’s likely that your rates will go up. However, there are a few things you can do to keep your rates from increasing too much. By shopping around, taking advantage of discounts, and paying your premium in full, you can help keep your rates down.