It’s very unlikely that your policy would be canceled after you file a single claim. However, filing a claim could increase your premium.

Your auto insurance premium will almost certainly increase after an accident – especially if you were at fault. Actuarial evidence shows that people who have had accidents in the past are more likely to have accidents again. There is a logical reason to charge you more for insurance coverage because of this increased probability of a future claim.

The next question is how much your premium will increase. This is harder to answer, because insurance companies often use different formulas to calculate rate increases. In most cases however, your policy will not be canceled. And because we represent more than one insurance company we can find a better fit for you and you stay with the same agency!

The connection between your safety record and your credit rating seems confusing. Many consumers feel uncomfortable about providing this information on an automobile insurance application. Insurance companies explain that credit information is necessary for a proper risk analysis when evaluating an insurance application.

They have determined that there is a connection between credit risk and safety risk. Some insurance company statistics show that drivers with bad credit file more accident claims than drivers with good credit. It seems that consumers who are careful with one aspect of their lives (e.g., financial affairs) are likely to be careful with other aspects of their lives (e.g., driving habits). Credit information is also needed to determine whether an applicant is likely to pay premiums on time. WE WORK WITH SEVERAL COMPANIES THAT DO NOT CHECK YOUR CREDIT.

What is an FS-1?

An FS-1 is a document required by the court in the state of North Carolina for persons convicted of certain traffic violations that demonstrates proof of financial responsibility. If you need one, we will assist you for FREE when you get your policy.

Each state has its own rules governing the cancellation of automobile insurance policies. You should check Part F of your personal auto policy (PAP) regarding termination and cancellation conditions. This section will address when, how, and for what reasons coverage under your personal auto policy can be terminated. You should also check any applicable endorsements regarding cancellation.

If you fail to pay your premium on time, your insurance company has the right–after providing you with at least 10 days notice–to cancel the policy. The notice of cancellation, mailed to the named insured shown on the Declarations page of the policy, will inform you of the date and time the cancellation will take effect. Even if you’re only a day late with your premium payment, your state may allow your insurance company to cancel your insurance policy, and the company won’t necessarily reinstate you once it gets your money. Furthermore, once your policy has been canceled, you may find yourself paying more money for a comparable policy or having trouble finding insurance at all. For our clients, sometimes we can be of help in this situation by dealing with the insurance company for them.

That being said, some insurance companies will not immediately issue a cancellation notice. You may simply receive an overdue notice, asking you to pay the past-due premium plus a late fee. Other companies may state in the cancellation notice that if payment is received by your insurance agent prior to the effective cancellation date shown, your coverage will be considered “reinstated.” It may also be possible for you to reinstate coverage after the effective cancellation date by paying the overdue premium and perhaps an additional sum. (However, it is likely that you will not be covered for any accidents between the effective date of cancellation and the date of reinstatement.)

In any event, you must look to state law and your automobile insurance policy to learn whether your policy will be canceled. Feel free to call us to ask for assistance.

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