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Auto Insurance FAQs

Riddle Brantley LLP   |  June 20, 2019   |  

After being involved in an auto accident, most drivers have to contact their auto insurance company to discuss how their vehicle is going to be repaired.

What many motorists are unaware of, is that insurance companies are not here to help. Their primary obligation is to their share holders, which ask them to make more money each year and to spend less on customer vehicle repairs and payouts.

Are you currently dealing with a difficult insurance company after being involved in a collision?

At the law offices of Riddle & Brantley, our legal professionals understand the tactics that insurance companies often use to take advantage of accident victims and can help to protect you from those actions.

To find out if we can help you, contact us today for your no-obligation consultation, by calling 800-525-7111.

Below are answers to some common accident insurance questions that motorists often require assistance with.

Auto Insurance

Will my insurance go up if I am in an accident?

Your insurance rate will not automatically increase just because you are in an auto accident. Whether your premium increases as a result of a car accident will depend on who is determined to be at-fault. If you are determined to be totally at-fault or even partially at-fault, your premium will probably, but not always, increase. If you did not contribute to the accident by your own negligence or actions, then your insurance rates will not increase. The insurance company providing coverage will determine whether you were at-fault.

Does my driving record impact my insurance rate?

Yes. Your driving record or history has the most significant impact on the cost of your auto, truck or motorcycle insurance. In North Carolina, you receive points if you cause auto accidents and/or receive convictions for or plead guilty to moving traffic violations.

The last three years of your driving history will be the time period reviewed and evaluated by your auto insurance company in determining and calculating your insurance rates.

How are rates determined? What is a safe driver incentive plan?

Our legislature enacted the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) which determines the costs of your auto coverages. Under this plan, Drivers who accumulate points for moving traffic violations or cause auto accidents are charged higher premiums. The SDIP uses a point system where points are given for certain violations or at-fault accidents. The points assessed under this plan range from 1 point (for example, 1 point for an at-fault accident causing less than $1,800 in damage or injury or a traffic conviction for speeding 10 miles per hour or less in excess of 55 mph speed limit) to 12 points (for example, a traffic conviction for DWI or prearranged racing or being at-fault in an accident where someone was killed by negligent driving). Obviously, the more points you have, the higher your auto insurance premium will be.

For a complete review of the SDIP point system you may access the SDIP by going to the NC Department of Insurance website.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance and I have to use mine?

In situations where the other driver was at-fault but has no insurance, you may file your claim on your own auto insurance. Your claim will be filed under Uninsured Motorist Coverage and there will be no increase in your premium. For more information on how to file and successfully handle this type of claim, we encourage you to call us at 800-525-7111 or click here.

Will using my medpay cause my insurance to go up?

No. Like uninsured motorist coverage, using your medical payments coverage should not impact your insurance premiums. To read more about medpay please visit our Car Accident FAQs or click “here” for further information.

Need Help? Contact Riddle & Brantley Today

Dealing with insurance companies after being involved in an accident, can be a tedious and frustrating experience. But it doesn’t have to be. At the law offices of Riddle & Brantley, we have been helping North Carolina auto accident victims for more than three decades and will do our best to help you successfully resolve your claim and obtain justice.

To learn more about your legal options, contact us today at (800) 525-7111 or to reach us online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, click here or on our live chat button to speak with a representative. Your initial, no obligation consultation is 100% FREE and we only get paid when we obtain a recovery.