We have had numerous cases where our client is significantly injured and the person that caused the accident has insufficient limits of liability to properly compensate our client for their injuries and damages. In those cases where our clients have access to UIM coverage through either their motor vehicle insurance policy or a resident relative's motor vehicle insurance policy that they reside with, the client will always want to know if filing a claim against their own insurance carrier or their relative's insurance carrier, will raise their insurance premiums.

Clients are concerned that if they file a claim with either their insurance carrier or the insurance carrier of their parents- if they live with them- or some other applicable relative that they reside with, the relative may express hesitancy. The applicable relative may not want this individual to file a claim against their insurance company because they do not want their premiums to be increased. This concern- which is brought up with some degree of regularity- is why filing a claim with your own motor vehicle insurance carrier will affect your future premiums under certain circumstances.

Connecticut General Statutes Section 38a-686 sets forth the standards, methods, and criteria which shall apply to the making and use of rates pertaining to personal risk insurance. The statute provides that no surcharge on any motor vehicle liability or physical damage insurance premium shall be assigned for any accident caused by an operator other than the named insured, a relative residing in the named insured's household, or a person who customarily operates the insured's vehicle. In other words, if you file a claim against your own insurance company for a non-fault occurrence, such as in a UIM claim, then the insurance company will not be able to increase your premiums pursuant to the aforesaid statute.

Understanding uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is sometimes a difficult undertaking. It is very important that you contact an experienced Connecticut personal injury lawyer at the earliest possible moment so that you can understand what options you have available to you, how much coverage you may be able to access, and how this will affect either your motor vehicle insurance policy premiums or the motor vehicle insurance policy premiums of the UM or UIM policy that you are looking to access.

Please reach out to our experienced Connecticut personal injury lawyers before making the mistake of attempting to handle your own Connecticut accident case. Our advice is free. We take these cases on a contingency fee basis and advance the costs to develop your case so you do not have to worry about coming up with any money out of your own pocket. We are only paid if we recover money damages for you. If there is no recovery then you will owe no legal fees and no costs.

Do not delay and run the risk of costing yourself tens of thousands of dollars or destroying your case. Click here to contact us today or call us at 888-244-5480.