Do Auto Insurance companies penalize BOTH drivers on shared policies in a 1 car accident? (driving record, cost)

[superseiyan]

Curious, I'm in Maryland. I'm wondering:

If one has a shared policy covering two cars, if a claim is filed for ONE of the cars, do auto insurance companies ding both drivers/cars and jack up the rates on the policy during renewal?

I have GEICO. I had a claim 18 months ago--our rates didn't go up then, because I was forgiven as I hadn't had an accident ever before that. I do know when I shopped around, I couldn't get a better price than GEICO though, I think the claim at the time dinged me with other companies but GEICO overlooked it.

Anyway, today, my spouse has had to file a claim at-fault (she's safe). Its her first accident.

Basically, here's the deal: Come renewal time, will it make more financial sense to shop around for individual insurance policies, or should we keep a shared policy?

[ferretkona]

Most insurance companies only raise the rate on the driver at fault.
Who knows with geico? Call your agent and ask!

[dkf747]

If you're sharing the bill each month, and share financial burdens, and then it goes up then, yes, it hurts both drivers.

[Hemlock140]

Insurance is on the car not the driver. The cost of insurance for that car is based on the driving records of anyone that lives in the home where the car is "garaged". Regardless of which driver has the accident the insurance premium on that car is affected.