Does Your Car Insurance Go Up After an Accident?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s normal to worry about what happens next — especially whether your car insurance premium will increase. The honest answer: it often does, but the size of the increase depends on fault, the type of claim, your insurer, and your state’s rules.

Below is a practical breakdown of when rates go up after an accident, how long the impact usually lasts, and what you can do to keep the damage to your wallet as small as possible.

• If you’re found at-fault (even partially), your car insurance premium will usually increase at renewal.
• Accidents commonly affect rates for about 3–5 years, but serious crashes or multiple incidents can impact you longer.
• Accident forgiveness may prevent a first at-fault surcharge, but it often has eligibility rules and exclusions.
• If your premium jumps, shopping and comparing quotes is often the fastest way to find a better rate.

If You Cause an Accident, Your Insurance Rates Usually Go Up

Drivers who cause accidents are statistically more likely to file future claims — so if you’re found at-fault (even partially), it’s common to see a rate increase at renewal.

How long your premium stays elevated varies, but many accidents affect your rate for roughly 3 to 5 years. Severe crashes, injuries, multiple claims, or tickets related to the accident can impact you longer. (Here’s a deeper look at how long an accident stays on your insurance.)

Different insurance companies raise rates in different ways. Some are more forgiving after a first at-fault accident, while others apply steep surcharges — especially if you’re a newer driver, have prior claims, or the crash involved injuries. (Higher rate hikes are also more common when multiple risk factors stack up at the same time.)

How Much Will Your Premium Increase After an Accident?

There’s no single number that applies to everyone. A small fender bender with minimal damage can affect your premium very differently than an accident with injuries, a totaled vehicle, or a ticket issued at the scene.

That said, many drivers see a noticeable jump after an at-fault accident — and the increase can be even larger if:

• You were cited (speeding, failure to yield, distracted driving, etc.)
• The claim payout was high (especially injuries)
• You’ve had prior claims/violations in the last few years
• You’re a young or newly licensed driver

Your insurer, your state, and your exact coverage also matter. For reference, the table below is a quick way to compare how some companies tend to treat accident surcharges.

Accident Forgiveness Can Prevent a Rate Hike (Sometimes)

Some insurers offer accident forgiveness programs that may prevent a premium increase after your first at-fault accident (or after a smaller claim). Programs vary a lot — some are earned after years of clean driving, others are optional add-ons, and most exclude major crashes.

Examples of insurers with accident forgiveness options include Allstate, GEICO, Farmers, State Farm, and Progressive. Learn more about what accident forgiveness is and what it typically does (and doesn’t) cover.

Important: Accident forgiveness usually won’t help if the crash is serious (major injuries, reckless driving, DUI, leaving the scene, etc.). And even when forgiveness applies, you may still lose certain discounts.

You Might Lose Your Good Driver Discount

Sometimes insurers claim they won’t “raise your rate” after a first accident — but you may still pay more because you lose discounts you only get with a clean record.

For example, you could lose your good driver discount because you no longer have a spotless driving record. Depending on your insurer, that discount can be meaningful, and it may take several claim-free years to earn it back.

A Second At-Fault Accident Can Trigger Much Bigger Increases

One at-fault accident is often survivable from a pricing standpoint — unpleasant, but manageable. The bigger hit tends to come when you have two at-fault accidents within the same rating window (often the last 3–5 years).

At that point, many insurers treat you as significantly higher risk, and rate increases can become severe. In some cases, the insurer may also non-renew your policy (depending on state rules and underwriting guidelines), forcing you to shop for coverage in a more expensive tier.

Will My Rates Go Up If I’m Not At-Fault?

You’d think the answer is always “no” — and in many cases, it is. But it depends on where you live and how your insurer handles claims history.

Here’s the practical reality:

• Some states restrict or prohibit surcharges for not-at-fault accidents (meaning you generally can’t be penalized just for being hit).
• Some states allow insurers to consider claims activity, even if you weren’t at fault — especially if there are multiple not-at-fault incidents.
• Your premium can still rise at renewal for market reasons (inflation, repair costs, statewide rate filings), even if your accident didn’t directly trigger a surcharge.

State Rules That Can Limit Rate Hikes

State rules vary widely, so always double-check your state’s specifics.

For example, in Massachusetts, surcharges typically depend on factors like fault percentage and claim payment thresholds. In California and Oklahoma, rules may limit rate increases in situations where you are not principally at fault.

Also note: comprehensive claims (hail, theft, falling objects, animal strikes) are different from at-fault collisions. Many drivers assume comprehensive claims “don’t count,” but filing any claim can affect premiums with some insurers — and rules vary by state.

If you’re unsure, ask your insurer (or agent) directly whether the claim is surchargeable in your state before you file — especially for borderline, low-dollar damage that’s close to your deductible.

FAQs on Car Insurance After an Accident

How to Handle a Rate Hike: Compare Car Insurance Quotes After an Accident

After an accident, one of the best ways to limit the financial fallout is to compare car insurance quotes — especially at renewal. Insurers weigh accidents differently, and some are far more competitive than others for drivers who recently filed a claim.

To improve your odds of finding a better rate:

• Shop before renewal (not after your new price is locked in).
• Confirm the accident is coded correctly (at-fault vs not-at-fault) and that claim details are accurate.
• Consider adjusting deductibles if you can afford a higher out-of-pocket amount.
• Ask about accident forgiveness eligibility (earned or add-on) before your next claim happens.

An accident is stressful — but it can also be a wake-up call to make sure you’re not overpaying. Compare quotes and make sure your coverage and price still make sense for your situation.