<prompt> Human: I recently got into my first auto accident. I received notice that the claims were covered etc. but no notice of potential rate increases. When should I expect a rate increase? Then a couple weeks later bumped into a friends car I have the option of paying out of pocket or going through insurance. The estimate is 1077.00 would it make sense to pay out of pocket or claim it? I have the money, but if my rates but would like to know if my rates are destined to increase because the first accident then it would make sense to claim it. If my rates will go up more due to the second accident then it make make sense to pay out outright. How can I find out my increased amount under these 2 scenarios? What questions should I be asking my insurance company?  <response>: Then a couple weeks later bumped into a friends carSeems like the most reasonable thing you can do to keep your rates low is to pay attention to where youre going when youre driving a 3000lb machine thats capable of killing someone. It only makes sense to me.Pay out of pocket for the accident because some insurances have a forgiveness program for the first accident. I cant think of any that has a forgiveness program for the second. And God forbid you get into a third. 