What you should do after an accident

What you should do after an accident

Every driver involved in an accident is legally 
required to remain at the scene. He or she must also 
offer aid and give necessary information to others 
involved and to law enforcement officers. If you’re 
involved in an accident:

• Use all means possible to warn oncoming 

traffic of the danger at the scene.

• Give reasonable aid to the injured. Do not 

move them unless it is absolutely necessary.

• Notify the Washington State Patrol (WSP), 

city police or county sheriff, and if needed, 

request a doctor or aid unit and ambulance.

• Obtain and give necessary information for 

the accident report, including names of 

witnesses and police officers.

• If there is any injury or death, or if property 

damage exceeds $700 to any one person’s 

property, you must notify the WSP, city 

police or county sheriff. If you fail to 

complete a written report, when required, it 

may result in the suspension of your driver’s 

license or instruction permit.

It is equally important that you promptly report the 
incident to your insurance company. Also, you may 
be subject to other reporting requirements specified 
in your insurance policy. It is vital that you read your 
policy and know what you must do to file a claim.

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How to reduce your rates

How to reduce your rates

Here are several options for saving money on auto insurance while making sure that 

you have adequate coverage:

Shop around

Each insurance company has unique financial 

goals and costs. As a result, it isn’t uncommon 

to find rate differences between companies 

for the exact same coverage. The cheapest 

insurance may not provide you with the degree 

of coverage you need. It is a good idea to discuss 

your coverage with your agent or insurance 

company.

Select the right car

The type of auto you own has a direct influence 

on your insurance costs. Before you buy an 

auto, check with your agent or broker to find 

out how much it will cost to insure.

Select higher deductibles

The amount of the deductible you select will 

affect your auto rate. For example, you may 

save money by increasing your collision and 

comprehensive deductibles from $100 to $500.

To help keep your premiums down, you may 

want to think about paying for smaller claims 

yourself and using your insurance to only pay 

for larger claims.

Special discounts

Ask each agent or company if they offer special 

discounts. They often offer discounts to young 

drivers who are good students or who have 

completed a driver’s education course. Many ompanies will give you a discount on your 

auto premiums if you also insure your house 

through the same company. 

Insurance companies are required by state law 

to give discounts to seniors, age 55 and older, 

who complete safe driving courses.

Eliminate duplication

Your coverage may overlap in some areas, such 

as medical, collision, and uninsured motorist 

property damage. Ask your agent or broker to 

explain your coverage and advise you if you are 

duplicating coverage.

Buying collision/comprehensive 

coverage

If you don’t think you could afford to fix 

your car yourself if it was involved in an 

accident, you may want to carry collision and 

comprehensive coverage. These coverages 

protect owners of expensive and late-model 

autos against the cost of repairs. Though 

coverage may increase your rates, you may want 

to think about it if the difference in what you 

pay would exceed your ability to pay the repair 

bills. Your lender may require these coverages 

until you’ve paid off your car.

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The cost of auto insurance

The cost of auto insurance

Auto insurance cost is a major concern to Washington’s drivers. Insurance companies must submit their 

rate requests to our agency for review. These requests must include enough financial information (actuarial-based) to verify the need for the requested rate. If we are satisfied with the rate information, we must approve 

the request.

Insurance companies can rate all licensed drivers 

in the household -- the policyholder and his or her 

spouse, and other household members, whether 

or not they are related by blood. This includes 

roommates. As a result, insurers generally base their 

premiums on all household members.

Insurance companies base auto rates on a variety 

of factors. The premium you pay consists of a “base 

rate.” The base rate is adjusted based on factors such 

as your age, sex, marital status, driving pattern, 

claims history, location, credit history, and the make, 

model and year of your vehicle. When you shop for auto insurance, remember that each company uses these factors differently. 

Age

Statistics show drivers under the age of 25 have more accidents than adults between age 25 and 65. As a result, insurers charge young drivers and families with young drivers in the household higher rates. Statistics also show that senior citizens are more likely to be involved in an accident.

Gender

Young men under the age of 25 are involved in more 

accidents per miles driven than any other population 

group. Washington state law allows insurance 

companies to charge based on gender and age when 

statistics indicate a greater risk.

Marital status

Statistically, married couples have fewer accidents 

than singles and generally pay lower rates.

Vehicle type

Generally, the more expensive your vehicle, the 

more you will pay for comprehensive and collision 

coverage. Also, because sports cars and high-performance cars are involved in more accidents, 

cost more to repair, and are stolen more often, they 

cost more to insure.

Location

A higher number of accidents in a highly populated 

area will raise both liability and collision premiums. 

Higher crime rates in urban areas can also raise 

premiums for comprehensive coverage. The law also 

allows companies to base your rates on your address 

(where you keep your car), even though you may 

drive to a more urban or rural area.

Driving patterns

The number of miles you drive per year can increase 

your rates. For example, if you drive a total of 7,000 

miles in a year, you will normally pay lower rates 

than if you drive 15,000 miles in a year. Insurance 

companies consider the distance you commute 

to work as additional miles you add to your non-commuting, “pleasure” miles.

Driving record and claims history

Most companies apply a surcharge to drivers 

involved in an accident or convicted of multiple 

traffic violations. Likewise, the more claims you file, 

the more likely your rates will increase.

Credit history

Under federal law (Fair Credit Reporting Act), 

insurance companies can use credit history as one 

factor that impacts your auto rate. They may assign 

you an insurance score based on your credit history. 

They use your score as one factor to decide whether 

to accept or decline your coverage, or how much to 

charge you. However, the Insurance Commissioner 

believes that the use of credit information in 

insurance is inherently unfair and in 2002, he 

requested a bill to limit its use. The law limits the use 

of certain information in credit scoring.

Companies differ in the skill, care and speed with which they settle customers’ 

claims. The OIC cannot recommend one company or policy over another.

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