Does an Accident Go on Your Insurance Record If It Is Not Your Fault?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

You’re in a crash, but you didn’t cause it. The police report is filed, you get no ticket, and it’s clear the other driver was at fault. So… will that accident still show up when it’s time to renew your insurance policy?

Usually, yes: the incident can still appear in insurance databases and your insurer’s claim history even if you’re not at fault. The more important question is whether it can change your price—and that depends on whether a claim was opened, whether your insurer paid anything, your state’s rules, and your overall claims/accident history.

• A not-at-fault accident can still appear in insurance databases and claim history—especially if any insurer opens a claim using your name or vehicle information.
• Your premium is more likely to increase when your insurer pays out (even temporarily), when the other driver is uninsured/underinsured, or when you have multiple accidents on file.
• Most insurers rate accidents for about 3–5 years, while claim-history databases often retain reported claims for up to 7 years.
• You can limit the impact by documenting the crash, avoiding unnecessary claim filings, checking your claim-history report for errors, and using accident forgiveness when available.

What “insurance record” really means after a crash

When people say “insurance record,” they’re usually talking about a few different data sources insurers use when quoting and renewing policies:

• Your claims history (including claims that were paid, denied, or closed with $0).
• Industry claim databases (like CLUE/LexisNexis) that track reported auto claims for multiple insurers.
• Your motor vehicle record (MVR), which may include accidents in some states depending on reporting rules.
• Your insurer’s internal notes—even calls and claim inquiries can be logged, depending on the company and what happened next.

So even if you did nothing wrong, the crash can still be “visible” to insurers—especially if an insurance claim was filed by anyone involved.

Will a not-at-fault accident show up if you never file a claim?

It depends on how the situation was handled:

• If the other driver’s insurer opens a claim and includes your info (name/VIN), the incident can still show up in claim-history databases—even if you never call your own insurer.
• If you report the crash to your insurer (even “just to document it”), a claim file may be created. Some companies can keep internal records even if you never request payment.
• If no insurer gets involved (rare for anything beyond a very minor bump) and there’s no claim opened anywhere, it’s less likely to appear in insurance claim databases—though state accident reporting can still put it on an MVR in certain cases.

If you’re unsure about reporting requirements or documentation, here’s how to file a police report after an accident so there’s a clear paper trail if fault is disputed later.

When a no-fault accident can still raise your premium

Many insurers won’t surcharge a single not-at-fault accident the way they would an at-fault crash. But there are several common scenarios where you might still see a bump at renewal—or lose a discount.

1) Your insurer pays anything (even temporarily)

If your company pays out under your policy—collision, medical payments, uninsured motorist, rental reimbursement, etc.—that can affect pricing. Even when the insurer later recovers money from the at-fault driver’s company (subrogation), the claim may still count in your claim frequency history.

This is especially common when the other driver’s coverage is delayed, disputed, or when you need repairs fast and choose to use your own policy first. If you do that, remember: your deductible may still apply up front, even if you’re not at fault (you may get it back later if the insurers settle).

2) Multiple “not-at-fault” accidents can look like higher risk

Insurers price risk, not just blame. If you’ve been involved in several crashes—regardless of fault—some companies treat that as a pattern (busy commute, high-traffic area, frequent exposure). Enough incidents can push you closer to high-risk insurance territory in underwriting, even if every crash was technically “not your fault.”

3) The at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured

If the other driver can’t pay (or their insurance limits aren’t enough), you may have to rely on your own coverage—like uninsured/underinsured motorist or collision. That increases the odds your insurer will record a paid claim on your policy, which can influence renewal pricing. If this happened to you, see what to do after an accident with an uninsured driver.

4) Fault isn’t always all-or-nothing

Even if the police report supports you, insurers still do their own investigation. In comparative-negligence states, you can be found partially responsible (for example, a disputed lane change, speed, or unclear right-of-way). Some “partial fault” findings can lead to a surcharge or reduced payout.

Also, certain behaviors can affect how injury claims are evaluated. For instance, if you weren’t belted and your injuries were worse, that can complicate settlements and costs. If you want a refresher on why it matters, see the importance of buckling your seatbelt.

5) You live in a no-fault/PIP state

In no-fault systems, your own policy often pays certain injury benefits regardless of fault. If your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays out, that’s still a claim on your policy—so rate changes can be more likely than in purely at-fault systems (though state rules vary widely).

6) A claim—even $0—can still change your pricing

Some insurers treat “incident-only” or “closed with $0 paid” claims differently than paid claims. But the presence of a claim file can still affect eligibility for certain discounts, claims-free perks, or accident forgiveness. If you’re seeing a jump, these are common reasons car insurance rates increase even when nothing “major” changed.

How long does a not-at-fault accident stay on your insurance record?

There isn’t one universal timeline, but here’s a practical rule of thumb:

• Claims databases (like CLUE) often keep auto claim history for up to 7 years.
• Most insurers “rate” accidents for about 3–5 years (company rules and state laws vary).
• MVR accident reporting varies by state—some records show accident involvement only in certain circumstances.

If you want to see what insurers may be pulling, you can request your personal claim-history report and review it for errors. Two reputable starting points are the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s overview of the CLUE report and the Washington state insurance commissioner’s consumer guide (search those sites for “LexisNexis CLUE report” if you want the official request details).

How to minimize the impact of a not-at-fault accident

If you’re worried about premiums or future quotes, these steps help:

• Document everything (photos, witness info, police report number) so fault is clear if the story changes.
• Be strategic about claims: for small damage, paying out of pocket can avoid opening a claim file—but don’t skip a claim if injuries or major damage are involved. If you do file, use the correct process to file an insurance claim after an accident.
• Watch claim frequency: multiple incidents (even not-at-fault) are more likely to affect pricing than one isolated accident.
• Keep your overall driving profile strong—your insurer looks at the full picture, including violations and prior claims. (Here’s how driving history affects your insurance rates.)
• Ask about forgiveness programs: if your policy includes accident forgiveness, you may be protected from a surcharge for a qualifying incident.
• Check your reports for mistakes: mis-coded fault or duplicate claims can hurt you. Dispute errors quickly.

FAQs on Not-at-Fault Accidents and Your Insurance Record

Bottom line

A not-at-fault accident can still show up on your “insurance record,” especially if any claim was opened. But a single not-at-fault crash often has a smaller pricing impact than an at-fault accident—unless your insurer paid out, the other driver was uninsured, the claim gets disputed, or you have multiple accidents on file.