Will my insurance premium increase if I file an auto insurance claim with Nationwide? (2025)
You may wonder, "Will premiums increase if you file an insurance claim with Nationwide?" Rates increase an average of 20%-30% after any accident, and the amount depends on the severity and negligence. Generally, Nationwide won't raise rates if it wasn't your fault, but it can sometimes.
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Tracey L. Wells
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...
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UPDATED: Jan 31, 2024
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UPDATED: Jan 31, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- An auto insurance claim will increase rates if you were at fault
- Not-at-fault drivers can also see higher premiums in some cases
- The amount your rates go up may depend on the accident’s severity
As one of the country’s best affordable auto insurance companies, Nationwide abides by standard rules concerning premium increases and accident claims.
So if you’re wondering if your premium will increase if you file an auto insurance claim with Nationwide, the answer will depend on whether you’re at fault for an accident or have a questionable, high-risk driving record. Understanding when claims can cause a premium increase should help you become the most responsible driver you can be.
When Auto Insurance Claims Cause a Premium Increase With Nationwide
Filing a claim doesn’t increase auto insurance premiums, but the nature of the claim and the details surrounding the accident can cause a rise in monthly premiums with Nationwide. Whether or not your rate increases after you file a claim depends on who is at fault.
If you cause an accident, you will likely see your monthly premium increase because you caused Nationwide financial loss. Nationwide pays for the damage to the other driver’s vehicle via your liability auto insurance coverage and for your own damages when you have collision insurance. Increasing premiums helps Nationwide offset the costs of the claim you’ve recently filed and any claims you may file in the future.
Premium Increases Depend on the Accident
The type of accident may determine how much your monthly premium increases with Nationwide. For example, you might see an especially high increase if you drove under the influence, caused extensive property damage, or severely injured yourself and others. In these scenarios, Nationwide may also deny policy renewal.
Read More: How a DUI Affects Your Auto Insurance Rates
At-fault claims involving side-swipe accidents, minor fender benders, rear-end collisions, and incidents where you are at fault but no one else was involved will cause an increase with Nationwide, but it may not be as high as a serious event increase.
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While keeping in mind that you do have to tell your insurer about old car accidents, you can shop around for auto insurance discounts and find auto insurance quotes online if your premiums increase too much.
When You’re Not At Fault in an Accident
If you are not at fault for a collision, your insurance premium generally won’t increase. However, sometimes there is a disagreement about who is at fault. Read more on what happens if the other driver disputes who is at fault in the accident and what happens if fault can’t be determined after a car accident.
Your insurance rates don’t go up when you’re not at fault because the at-fault driver’s insurance company is financially responsible for repairs and injuries. That said, if you have a history of claims or caused an accident in the past, your driving record might show that you have a knack for being involved in accidents. This might lead to an increase even if you were not at fault for this specific incident.
Furthermore, if the at-fault driver doesn’t have coverage, you may need to use uninsured motorist coverage, a type of auto insurance coverage that costs Nationwide money. If your claim reflects this, you may see an increase in monthly premiums despite not bearing the blame for the incident.
Nationwide’s Accident Forgiveness Program
First-time drivers who cause an accident may be able to avoid premium increases with Nationwide.
Drivers can buy accident forgiveness with Nationwide as an add-on to their current policy. The idea is to sacrifice a small amount to offset the cost of paying for insurance rate hikes in the future. However, it is only available in select states, and you can only use it once per policy.
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Increasing Premiums After Filing an Auto Insurance Claim With Nationwide
Many drivers will make a mistake in their lifetime, but you don’t have to let an at-fault accident claim ruin your finances. Increases in premiums are often unavoidable when you make a mistake, but not letting it become a trend that tarnishes your reputation as a driver is critical. Even not-at-fault drivers can see premium increases, so keeping your eyes peeled for more affordable insurance options is always a good idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do insurance premiums go up after a claim with Nationwide?
Yes, your rates usually go up after filing a claim with Nationwide. However, if you have accident forgiveness or weren’t at fault, they may not go up.
How long will Nationwide take to process your claim?
You may also wonder how long it typically takes for Nationwide to process an auto insurance claim. Usually, claims with Nationwide get resolved within 30 days.
Is Nationwide good at paying out claims?
Nationwide has a decent J.D. Power claims satisfaction score, indicating customers are mostly satisfied with the company’s claims handling.
Do auto insurance premiums increase every year?
Your insurance rate will typically increase over time. It may not be an annual occurrence, but your insurance company must account for inflation, repair costs, and other factors that have nothing to do with your risk level.
What causes auto insurance premiums to increase?
In addition to your accident and claim history, your monthly rate can increase if you’ve added a new driver or vehicle to your policy. Factors outside your control can also cause an increase, such as the number of claims your company has seen within a certain ZIP code throughout the year. The amount of theft and weather-related incidents in your area can also affect your rates.
Can auto insurance premiums decrease?
Yes, sometimes your monthly insurance rates can drop. This may happen as you age, if you get married, or if your driving record continues to expand without incident. These can all boost your reputation as a low-risk driver. You can also increase your deductible in exchange for a lower monthly premium.
How much does a claim increase your premium?
On average, you’ll see auto insurance premiums jump by 20%-30% after filing an insurance claim. However, your actual increase varies by the circumstances of the accident and other factors.
Should I get an estimate before filing a claim?
You should always estimate repair costs before filing a Nationwide claim to see if it would be more affordable to pay out of pocket.
How long does a claim affect your premium?
Generally, an auto insurance claim remains on your record for up to three years.
Does your insurance go up after a claim that isn’t your fault in Florida?
Florida law prohibits insurance companies from raising rates simply because you were involved in an accident.
What is accident forgiveness?
Some companies, such as Nationwide, offer an accident forgiveness program that prevents policyholders’ rates from going up after their first at-fault accident.
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Tracey L. Wells
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.