Filing a claim on your auto insurance can make the rate rise as much as 67%.

Before filing that claim on your insurance, it might behoove you to think long and hard about what the financial ramifications of even discussing a problem with your insurance agent may bring.

According to a report from InsuranceQuotes.com, making a claim on your car insurance can raise your rate significantly: 38% is the national average, but in Massachusetts it can go up 67%.

However, it’s not just filing a claim that can jack up your rate. In some states, just discussing a claim gives them the right to increase your rates, said Laura Adams, InsuranceQuote.com analyst.

She noted that varies from carrier to carrier, but that it pays to be cautious. If the thought of seeing your auto insurance rise is maddening, the rules behind homeowners insurance are equally frustrating.

In fact, an insurer can raise your rates based on claims made by the previous owner.

“Insurance companies are all about statistics,” Adams notes. “They look very closely at your history to set your rate going forward.”

However, all of the claims made on a home are stored for seven years in a database known as a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report that all insurance carriers can access. InsuranceQuotes.com found that only 1% of all Americans are very familiar with CLUE reports and an additional 7% are somewhat familiar.

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They can use this report to increase the rate on a home you’ve just purchased. And like with the aforementioned example, even discussing the possibility filing a claim or if a claim is denied, the insurance company can raise your rates.

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A single claim raises homeowner rates an average of 9% across the U.S., but it can be as high as 32%, Adams said. To avoid problems when buying a home, Adams recommends getting a copy of the CLUE report from the homeowner or insurance company so you know what you’re in for.

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She also suggests getting the report once a year – you’re entitled to one free report annually – and make sure the report is accurate. If it is not, take the time to make sure it’s amended as it will save you money over the long haul. Like most credit reports, the CLUE report typically includes some inaccuracies.