Have you ever been in an accident that was not your fault? If another driver hit you, your insurance rates probably did not increase. But some insurance representatives say those days may come to an end.
In Florida, for instance, some insurance industry representatives reported to the Florida Cabinet that it is not uncommon for them to charge higher premiums to new customers if they have been involved in accidents that were not their fault. Kevin McCarty, the Florida Insurance Commissioner, wanted to ban the extra surcharge last week. However, the governor was the only supporter of the idea and the surcharge ban failed.
According to National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies spokeswoman Liz Reynolds, auto insurers feel they are justified in charging the surcharge because they cannot “confirm unproven accidents are truly not at fault.” She went on to say that drivers who are involved in no-fault accidents also tend to file more claims.
The really bad news if this surcharge actually passes is that some insurance companies may deny insuring some drivers based on no-fault accidents. Alex Sink, the CFO of the Florida Cabinet, said it may be a good idea for drivers who have been involved in many accidents, but the surcharge is not ideal for those who have only been in a couple accidents.
This is just one more reason to be a safe driver in your VW cars. Keep an eye out for other drivers and you will increase your chances of avoiding accidents.
