Generally, there are no guidelines as to when is the proper time to file a claim. Decisions tend to be made based on individual claims made by the customers of insurance carriers. Each company is different and customers are subject to their preferences. Some may raise a hike for a single claim filed. Others wait for two filed claims within a 3 year time period before triggering a hike. Most often, companies have a standard basis for their judgment. That is, the period of time the customer has spent with the company or the nature of the claim filed by the customer.