Accident...car insurance going up?

I haven't had to report anything ever but that's why you have insurance, so when something does go wrong it will be covered. Would it really go up 40%? That's a lot it seems like.

Huge difference b/t 500 bucks and 2,000

It might depend on your carrier. My daughter who was only 17 at the time got into a bad accident (no one injured, thankfully), her car was totaled and two other cars were involved. State Farm handled it all. I have no idea what they paid out to the other cars. One was pretty bad, the other, not too bad. State Farm DID NOT raise her rates. They gave her an "accident forgiveness" on that one. Have been a loyal State Farm customer for about 30 years, and this is just one of the many reasons why.

I claimed about $1100 in vandalism and my rates didn't change.

I know.....not an "accident". Either way, a 40% hike seems unreasonable if this is your first accident.

This is why you carry insurance.

Your rate will go up for an "at fault" accident. When the dust settles, you will have paid more for the increased premium than the $1500 (albeit, over an extended period).

I totaled my Jeep Cherokee, have Progressive insurance and my premium did not increase. Also a single vehicle accident. I went off the road and hit a telephone pole. I've been with Progressive for about 15 years.