Can You File a Comprehensive Claim Without Affecting Your Rates?

When your car is damaged by hail, theft, or a falling tree branch, comprehensive insurance is there to help. But before you file a claim, it’s natural to wonder whether it will raise your rates.

Unlike at-fault accidents, comprehensive claims are usually for events beyond your control. Still, they can influence your premiums depending on your insurer’s policies, your history of claims, and the type of incident.

This becomes especially relevant when you're deciding whether to pay for damage out of pocket. You might think about it the next time you discover a broken windshield or weather-related damage.

When Comprehensive Claims Typically Don’t Raise Rates

Most insurers treat comprehensive claims differently than at-fault collision claims. If the event was truly unavoidable and you haven’t filed frequent claims, a single incident is unlikely to increase your premiums significantly.

You may not see a rate increase if:

The event was clearly outside your control
Situations like hailstorms, fire, or falling trees are considered “acts of nature” and generally won’t be held against you.
You haven’t filed other recent claims
A clean claims history shows you’re a low-risk driver, so insurers are more likely to absorb the cost of a one-time incident.
The total payout was modest
Claims for minor glass repairs or superficial weather damage often fall below thresholds that would trigger a review or adjustment of your premium.
You have accident forgiveness or claim protection
Some policies include built-in forgiveness for your first claim, helping you avoid any rate increase from isolated events.

Tip: Always ask your insurer whether your current policy includes “claims forgiveness.” This feature can shield your premium from going up after your first claim.

When a Claim Might Still Affect You

While many comprehensive claims don’t trigger a rate hike, there are exceptions. Insurers may increase your premium if:

You’ve filed multiple comprehensive claims in a short period
A pattern of frequent claims may signal higher risk, even if each event was beyond your control.
Your claims are associated with preventable risk
Repeated vandalism or theft in the same location might be viewed as avoidable, especially if you don’t take steps to reduce the risk.
The cost of your claim is unusually high
Large payouts—such as from total vehicle loss due to fire—draw more scrutiny and could impact your rate at renewal.
You’re in a region where claims are more frequent or costly
If your area has a spike in weather or theft-related claims, insurers may adjust rates for everyone in that zone, especially if you’ve recently filed.

Situation	Will It Likely Affect Your Rates?
First claim for hail damage	Unlikely
Second theft claim in 12 months	Possibly
Windshield repair under $200	Rarely, if ever
Major fire claim with total loss	More likely

Note: Even if your premium doesn’t rise, your eligibility for discounts or claims-free status may be affected.

When Paying Out of Pocket Might Be Smarter

In some cases, it may make more financial sense to handle the repair yourself—especially if the damage is minor and close to your deductible amount.

Consider paying out of pocket if:

The repair cost is only slightly higher than your deductible
If your deductible is $500 and the repair is $600, it may not be worth filing a claim for the $100 difference.
You’re trying to maintain a clean claim history
Keeping your record free of claims can help preserve eligibility for discounts or avoid insurer scrutiny.
You anticipate changing insurers soon
Some providers ask about prior claims, and even if they didn’t raise your rate before, another insurer may factor it in.

Caution: Before deciding, contact your insurer and ask how the claim could affect your rate. You can often get guidance without formally starting the claim process.

One Claim May Not Hurt—But a Pattern Can