Why did my car insurance go up when I had no claims?

Your premium can increase even without claims due to statewide rate changes, higher vehicle repair costs, increased local claim activity, changes in credit-based insurance scores where permitted, lost discounts, address changes, or updates to your vehicle's risk rating.

Can insurance raise rates without telling me?

Insurance companies generally provide renewal notices that show your new premium before the next policy term begins. Notification requirements vary by state, so it is important to review all renewal documents before your payment due date.

Does credit affect car insurance?

In many states, insurers may use credit-based insurance scores as part of underwriting and rating decisions. Some states restrict or prohibit the use of credit information. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), most auto and homeowners insurers use credit-related data where permitted by law.

Will my rate go down if I stay with the same company?

Possibly, but staying with the same insurer does not guarantee lower premiums. Your rate can change because of company-wide pricing adjustments, claims trends, available discounts, driver information, vehicle factors, and coverage selections.

Is it better to lower coverage to save money?

Reducing coverage can lower your premium, but it may also increase your financial risk after an accident. Before reducing liability limits or vehicle protection coverage, consider reviewing deductible options, available discounts, and alternative ways to reduce costs.

How often should I compare car insurance quotes?

It is generally recommended to compare auto insurance quotes at least once a year. You should also shop for new quotes after major life changes such as moving, adding a driver, purchasing a vehicle, or receiving a significant premium increase at renewal.

What If Someone Hits My Car Without Insurance?

Can an Uninsured Driver Drive an Insured Car

Reviewed by the AtozInsuranceusa editorial team.

If a driver with no insurance hits your car and causes the crash, you may claim repair costs through your own collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage coverage. Without either, you may need to pay first and seek money from the driver. Your liability coverage alone does not repair your car.

For injuries, check uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage, personal injury protection, and medical payments coverage. Each pays for different losses and has its own limits.

Call the police, save proof of the crash, and notify your insurer. Do not rely on a promise that the other driver will pay later. A claim can involve repair bills, missed work, a rental, and medical costs.

If you mean that you have no insurance, your rights differ. You may still have a claim against the driver who caused the crash, but state law can limit what you recover. Driving without required insurance can also bring separate penalties.

The first step is to find out who caused the crash and which policies apply. A driver with no insurance card may still have a policy. Ask your insurer to check. Do not assume there is no policy.

Who pays when the other driver has no insurance?

A driver who causes a crash may owe money for the harm they cause. But a duty to pay does not put cash in your hands. If that driver has no policy or funds, your own coverage may offer the clearest route to repairs.

Use this table to identify which part of your policy to check.

Your loss	Coverage that may help	Main limit
Damage to your car	Collision	Deductible and car value
Car damage from a driver with no coverage	Uninsured motorist property damage, or UMPD	State rules, policy limit, and deductible
Injuries from that driver’s fault	Uninsured motorist bodily injury, or UMBI	Injury limits and proof of fault
Medical bills, regardless of fault	PIP or MedPay	Covered costs and benefit limits
Rental while your car needs repairs	Rental reimbursement or eligible UMPD benefits	Daily and total limits

Not all policies include these benefits. Read the coverage list for the car involved in the crash. Injury coverage under UM does not prove that you also have UMPD. [3][4][6][14]

Does my liability insurance pay for my car?

No. Your property damage liability coverage pays for covered damage you cause to someone else’s property. It does not pay for your car just because the other driver lacks insurance. [18]

See our guide to liability coverage when someone hits your car if you need help reading that part of your policy.

Does having no insurance prove the other driver caused the crash?

No. Fault concerns how the crash happened. Insurance status concerns who has a policy that may pay. The other insurer can dispute fault or claim that both drivers share blame. State rules on fault can change what you get.

Save facts that show the crash itself: lane positions, traffic lights, road marks, witness details, and photos. Do not use the missing policy as your only proof.

How common are drivers without insurance?

The Insurance Research Council estimated that 15.4% of US drivers lacked insurance in 2023, or more than one in seven. Its February 2025 report also found that 33.4% lacked insurance or had too little coverage.

Those figures measure different groups. The larger figure includes drivers with a policy whose limits may not meet a claim. Neither figure predicts your chance of a crash.

For a household budget, the useful question is simpler: Could you pay a repair bill and still cover rent, food, and transport to work?

What should you do at the crash scene?

Put safety first. If anyone needs urgent help, call 911. Move out of traffic if you can do so safely. Do not chase a driver who leaves.

Then take these steps:

Report the crash. Call the police and ask how to get the report number. Follow local crash reporting rules.
Exchange details. Get the driver’s name, phone number, plate number, and car details. Ask who owns the car.
Take photos. Show the damage, road layout, signs, and the cars’ positions if you can do so safely.
Ask witnesses for help. Save names and phone numbers before they leave.
Call your insurer. Report the loss even if you still lack some facts.
Keep your records. Save tow receipts, repair estimates, and all messages about the crash.

Progressive recommends reporting the crash, gathering proof, and notifying your insurer promptly.

Write your account while it is fresh. State what you saw. If you do not know a speed, distance, or exact time, say so. Avoid filling gaps with guesses.

Ask nearby businesses whether they have footage and can preserve it. Note where cameras sit. Share those details with the police and the adjuster.

Could another policy cover the driver?

Yes. A person may lack their own policy yet drive a car whose owner has insurance. A policy may cover a driver who borrowed the car with permission, subject to its terms. Excluded drivers and other restrictions can change the result.

Tell your adjuster if the driver borrowed the car, drove for work, or used a company vehicle. Ask the adjuster to check which coverage could apply. Do not assume a business policy exists just because the car has a logo.

An old card does not prove current coverage. A missing card does not prove a lack of coverage. If an insurer says it will not pay, ask why. Get the answer in writing. A denial based on disputed fault differs from a denial based on no active policy.

Should you use collision coverage or UMPD?

Collision coverage can pay for covered crash damage to your car regardless of who caused the crash. UMPD focuses on damage from a driver who meets the policy’s uninsured driver rules. Availability and terms vary by state.

If you have both, ask the adjuster which route applies. Compare the deductible, payment limit, rental benefits, and proof needed. A lower deductible does not always mean a higher final payment if the policy has a low limit.

Example: Assume your car needs $4,800 in approved repairs. Both options below cover the loss in full before the deductible.

Claim option	Example deductible	Example payment
Collision	$1,000	$3,800
UMPD	$250	$4,550

The $750 gap comes from the deductibles. These are sample figures, not a quote or a rule for all states.

Do not expect both policies to pay the same repair bill twice. Ask your insurer to explain how it will handle any overlap.

Why do state rules matter?

California’s insurance department lists a $3,500 UMPD limit and requires identification of the uninsured driver for that benefit. Texas guidance describes a $250 deductible for UM/UIM car repairs. Those are state examples, not national rules.

Ask your agent to show you the actual limit and deductible in your policy. Do not choose a claim route based on a rule you read for another state.

What does a repair claim look like in practice?

Assume a driver backs into your car at a store. You have photos and the driver’s name. The driver admits fault but has no insurance. Your car needs $3,200 in repairs.

You check your policy and find UM injury coverage, but no UMPD. That injury benefit does not pay for the dent in your door. You also find collision coverage with a $500 deductible. If the insurer accepts the full repair cost, it would pay $2,700 under that part of the policy.

Now plan for the $500 share. Ask the shop when you must pay it. Ask the adjuster if your plan helps with a rental. If the insurer seeks money from the driver, keep proof of what you paid.

The key lesson: Read each line of your policy. “I have UM” is not enough to tell you who pays for the car. This example uses made up costs to show how the math works.

Will you get your deductible back?

You might, but no firm can promise that in all cases. After paying a claim, your insurer may seek money from the driver or another responsible party. The term for this is subrogation. It may help you get your deductible back.

GEICO explains that recovery can fail or produce less than the amount sought. A driver with no coverage may also have too little money to repay the loss.

Ask your adjuster:

Will you seek my deductible too?
What proof of payment should I keep?
Who will update me on recovery?
Should I avoid making a separate deal with the driver?

Consult your insurer before you accept a settlement or sign a release. GEICO warns that doing so without checking can harm the claim.

Plan your budget as though the deductible may remain your cost. Treat any later refund as money recovered, not money you can count on today.

What if someone hits your parked car and leaves?

Your collision coverage can help with covered crash damage even if police never find the driver. Whether UMPD applies to a driver who leaves depends on state rules and policy terms. Some states require you to identify that driver.

Report the loss and ask about any police report deadline or proof of physical contact. Save photos of paint transfer, debris, and the parking space. Keep any note left on the car.

Record the last time you saw the car undamaged. Ask about footage soon, since the owner may not keep it for long.

If you have no collision coverage, do not assume UMPD will fill the gap. California, for example, requires identification of the uninsured driver for UMPD. Texas guidance describes broader help after a driver leaves the scene.

Who pays your medical bills and lost wages?

Treat injury costs as a separate part of the claim. Collision pays for car damage, not your injury claim. UMBI may help with covered medical costs, lost pay, and pain and suffering when a driver with no insurance causes your injuries.

PIP and MedPay may pay covered medical bills without waiting for a fault decision. PIP may also cover some lost pay or help with daily tasks. MedPay does not generally pay lost wages. Limits and state rules still apply.

Ask which policy should receive each bill first. Give the claims team details about any health plan or other auto policy that could pay. Do not assume all plans use the same order of payment.

Keep a simple injury file:

Bills and records from care visits.
Dates when you missed work.
Proof of pay and a note from your employer.
Receipts for costs you want the adjuster to review.

Seek care based on your health needs. Do not wait for the fault dispute to end before seeking urgent care.

Can you sue the driver who has no insurance?

You may have a civil claim for crash losses that the driver caused. A lawsuit turns on fault, harm, and proof. The mere lack of insurance does not establish the amount someone owes you.

Small claims court may suit a modest repair dispute within your state’s dollar limit. Larger losses or serious injuries may call for legal advice. Check the court’s rules before you file.

Prepare a clear record of what you seek:

Record	What it helps show
Photos, witnesses, and crash report	How the crash happened
Repair estimate and paid bills	Cost of fixing the car
Rental and tow receipts	Costs tied to the loss
Medical records and wage proof	Injury losses you claim

A court judgment does not guarantee payment. California Courts explain that the court does not collect the money for you. You may need further steps to enforce a judgment.

Before suing, weigh the amount at stake, fees, time, and chance of collection. Tell your insurer about your plans so you do not conflict with its recovery efforts.

Read more about suing a driver who hit your car without insurance before you choose your next step.

What if you have no insurance and someone hits you?

Your lack of a policy does not itself show that you caused the crash. Still, it can affect your rights and expose you to penalties under state law. Do not assume either that you have no claim or that you can recover every loss.

For example, California Civil Code Section 3333.4 can bar certain uninsured owners or drivers from recovering losses such as pain and suffering. The law includes exceptions. This differs from a blanket rule that the other driver owes nothing.

Keep proof of fault and your costs. Ask a local attorney or legal aid service which claims state law allows. If neither driver has insurance, getting paid may be hard even with a valid claim.

Do not buy a new policy and report the old crash as a new loss. New coverage does not pay for a crash that happened before it took effect.

How long do you have to report or file a claim?

Report the crash promptly. Insurance notice rules and lawsuit deadlines are separate. The time allowed to sue does not give you the same time to notify an insurer.

For example, New York generally requires written notice of a claim for no fault benefits within 30 days. Its rules allow an exception for a clear, reasonable written explanation of late notice. This is a New York rule for those benefits, not a national deadline for all claims.

Ask your insurer for the deadlines that apply to your claim. Keep proof that you sent forms and bills. If you may sue, ask a local attorney about the filing deadline early.

Talks about payment may not stop the clock on your right to sue. Avoid waiting until talks fail before checking your rights.

How can you protect your budget before the next crash?

Compare more than the monthly price. Ask for quotes with the same limits, deductibles, drivers, and car details. A cheaper quote may leave out the coverage you would need after this type of crash.

Use three practical checks:

Check your cash. How much could you pay toward repairs this week without missing rent or food bills? Use that amount to judge a deductible.

Check your transport. Could you get to work without this car for two weeks? If not, ask about rental benefits and the daily cap.

Check injury coverage. Ask whether the UM limit covers injuries only. Then ask how your policy handles damage to the car.

Have the agent answer this question in writing: “If a driver with no insurance hits me, which parts of this quote pay for my car and which pay for my injuries?” Keep the answer with the quote.

Frequently asked questions

Will my rate go up if an uninsured driver hits me?

It might, but the result depends on state rules, your insurer, and the claim. Some states limit increases when you did not cause the crash. Claims can also affect discounts. Ask your insurer how it treats this loss rather than assuming a fixed increase.

What if I only have liability coverage?

Your liability coverage does not pay for your own car. Check whether another party has a policy that applies. If not, you may need to pay repair costs and seek money from the driver who caused the loss.

Should I accept cash from the other driver?

Avoid treating a quick cash offer as a final settlement before you know the full cost. More damage or health costs may show up later. Check with your insurer before accepting payment or signing a release that could affect its recovery rights.

What if the driver has insurance but not enough?

That is a different issue from having no policy. Underinsured motorist coverage may help, subject to your state and policy terms. Ask which injury or property benefits apply and whether you need consent before settling with the other insurer.

Will my policy pay for a rental car?

It may if you bought rental reimbursement coverage or your UMPD benefits include eligible rental costs. Check the daily cap, total limit, and approved rental period before booking. Being free of fault does not create rental coverage in your own policy.

What if my insurer denies the claim?

Ask for a written explanation and the policy wording behind the decision. Check for missing records or factual errors. Send supporting proof and request review. Your state insurance department can explain complaint options, while a local attorney can assess a legal dispute.

What should you do next?

Save the crash records, report the loss, and check your policy before paying for major repairs. Separate car damage from injury costs. Ask about deductibles, deadlines, and any recovery effort. State laws and your policy control what you can claim.

Use AtozInsuranceusa to compare car insurance quotes with the same limits and deductibles. Ask a licensed agent to explain coverage for drivers with no insurance, car repairs, and rental costs. Choose based on the losses your budget could not absorb, not just the first monthly payment.