How can I get a copy of my insurance company's surcharge schedule for a first-time accident?

Ask the insurance company for a copy of the surcharge schedule, which is sometimes called an "insurance point plan." In some states insurers are required to give you a copy. Also, ask the agent how much your premium would rise if you made a claim for an accident in the next 12 months.

Beware that the schedule doesn't make for easy reading. You often have to do your own math to figure out how much of a premium hike you would pay, but it might be worth the trouble when you're comparing car insurance rates among companies. One company might give you a cheaper initial car insurance quote, but could hike the premium by a higher percentage than other companies after a claim for an accident.

[Let Insure.com help you find affordable car insurance now.]

Surcharges vary by insurance company and by state. Some penalize you for moving violations, and others focus only on at-fault accidents. Many car insurance companies follow the Insurance Services Office's (ISO) standard of how much to increase the premium after an accident claim, but some insurers design their own surcharge schedules.

For more, see How much can your car insurance rates go up after one accident?