Unfortunately, if you cause a car accident in Nova Scotia, this will likely lead to an increased insurance premium. If you are found to be at fault for a car accident, your insurance company will require that you spend more money monthly on your insurance coverage to account for the fact that you could be a risk on the road. If you have been determined to be at fault for a car accident in Nova Scotia, you should expect to pay a bit more each month in car insurance, but rest assured that this change is not permanent. Your car accident will stay on your insurance record for six consecutive years, and as long as ten years in certain unique circumstances.

Insurance companies cannot increase your rates for the rest of your life. Insurance companies only go back a handful of years when looking at your driving history and determining what your monthly premium rate should be. If the accident was someone else’s fault, your rate will not be affected.

Will A Car Accident Affect My Car Insurance Rates?

Yes, the unfortunate reality is that getting into any kind of car accident will most likely affect your car insurance rate for the worst, especially if it is determined that you are the one who caused the accident. Your insurance rates will likely increase, the amount of the increase will vary depending on the state you live in, the nature of the accident, your current driving record, and other mitigating factors.

Your insurance rate will likely stay at this heightened rate for as long as this at-fault accident is displayed on your driving record which, as mentioned above, could be six to ten years. It’s important to remember, though, that these heightened rates will reduce by a percentage every year. So, generally speaking, a car accident that occurred five years ago will have a lower insurance rate than an accident that only occurred this last year.

How Do Insurance Companies Determine Who Is At Fault In An Accident?

In order to determine if a car accident was your fault, or at least to determine how much of the accident can be attributed to your actions, insurance companies defer to regulations that are set forth by our national government. In the Automobile Insurance Fault Determination Regulations, insurance companies have resources for determining just how much one person can be culpable for the actions that lead to a car accident.

Insurance companies, and lawyers, look at evidence such as which car hit which, how fast one was going, if any laws were broken, and other general information from the scene of the accident in order to determine who caused the crash.

If you have been involved in a car accident and are worried that your insurance company will wrongfully think you are at fault, you should enlist the help of a personal injury attorney to defend you. Our Nova Scotia car accident lawyers can help source, compile, and assess crucial evidence that will be key in determining who caused the accident.

What Other Factors Determine Car Insurance Rates?

Aside from any recent accidents occurring, or any accidents within the last six to ten years on your driving record, there are many other factors that insurance companies look into when determining your monthly insurance rate.

Your driving record is important when determining your rate, but insurers look at the type of car you drive as well. Sports cars and those that are built for speed are going to likely drive up the cost of your insurance every month. Where you live will determine your insurance rate as well, as big cities that are congested with tons of traffic can typically lead to more accidents, so it simply costs more to insure a cat.

The person who drives the car will affect the rate of insurance every month as well. Younger drivers may be required to pay more in insurance every month as they are less experienced and therefore post more of a risk on the road to other drivers and pedestrians. Some insurance companies use built-in car sensors to gauge your driving ability, how hard you brake and how often you stop short or drive recklessly.

Additionally, those with criminal records that involve driving might have to pay higher insurance premiums also, especially those who have been charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or driving while intoxicated. All of the aforementioned factors combine to create a person’s risk profile, and insurers decide how much to charge based upon that.