Vehicle accidents are costly — repairs, replacements, potential medical bills and spikes in car insurance premiums. According to CarInsurance.com data, you could anticipate an average 56% increase after one at-fault accident with more than $2,000 in damages. It’s even more pricey if this is your second at-fault accident — an average increase of 125%.
“The amount in which your insurance premiums will increase after an at-fault accident will vary based on the state you live in and the rules and guidelines that particular state has to follow, as well as the severity of the accident,” says Lauren McKenzie, an insurance broker for A Plus Insurance. “Some states can raise the renewal rate 50% or higher.”
Ben Michael, an attorney who often deals with auto insurance claims and related litigation, says that a single, at-fault accident will likely raise your insurance premiums by about 45%, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
- Insurance rates increase about 56% or $1,114 annually after one at-fault accident. After two at-fault accidents, you can anticipate a 125% rate increase —$2,483 more annually.
- How much insurance rates increase after an accident depends on your car insurance company, state laws and driving record.
- Increasing your deductible can lower your monthly premium, but requires you can pay it out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
- An accident can stay on your record for three to 10 years, depending on the severity of the violation. Accident forgiveness programs may help decrease your premiums after several years of maintaining a clean record.
How much does insurance go up after an accident?
While it depends on the type of accident you’re involved in, generally, the more damage or fault you incur in an accident, the higher your car insurance rate may increase. On average, an accident with damage greater than $2,000 will raise your car insurance rate by $1,114 per year, according to CarInsurance.com data.
“I’ve found that two at-fault accidents within one year could raise your insurance premiums 98%,” McKenzie says.
Here’s how much car insurance goes up for common accident claims. This includes comprehensive claims for damage to your car from hail, flooding, vandalism, fire and animal collisions:
| Accident or Comp Claim | Average Annual Rate | $ Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 at-fault property damage accident over $2K | $3,100 | $1,114 | 56% |
| 1 at-fault property damage accident under $2K | $3,069 | $1,083 | 55% |
| 1 comprehensive claim for over $2K | $2,111 | $125 | 6% |
| 1 comprehensive claim for under $2K | $2,105 | $119 | 6% |
| 2 at-fault property damage accident over $2K | $4,468 | $2,483 | 125% |
| 2 comprehensive claims for over $2K | $2,230 | $244 | 12% |
| At-fault bodily injury accident | $3,241 | $1,255 | 63% |
| Single vehicle accident (driver’s car only) | $3,088 | $1,102 | 56% |
Car accident checklist: What should I do after an accident
How much will my insurance go up with an at-fault accident?
Most of the time, car insurance rates go up after an at-fault accident, but not always. An accident where you’re to blame makes pricier premiums much more likely, but not in every situation with every company, so you should shop for the best rates after an accident.
Based on your car insurance policy, accident injuries and damages should be covered after your deductible. However, even if the crash and resulting claim don’t increase your base rate, you may still pay higher insurance premiums due to losing a good driver discount.
While finding cheap car insurance after an accident claim is challenging, the best way to find affordable options is to shop around, compare quotes and talk to car insurance agents about your situation and their recommendations.
How much do two at-fault accidents in one year affect car insurance rates?
Typically, an accident stays on your driving record for three to five years. However, you can have a driving violation on your record for up to seven to 10 years based on the type of accident you’ve been involved in or if you’ve had more than one at-fault accident.
One at-fault accident can raise your car insurance premium by $1,114. A second at-fault accident will probably cause your premiums to skyrocket. According to CarInsurance data, it will increase your rate by 125%, from $2,483 to $4,468.
“Two at-fault accidents within 12 months will almost always cause your rates to at least double,” Michael says.
How much does insurance go up for a teen after an accident?
Car insurance for adolescents is already exorbitantly expensive for many families. On average, teen car insurance costs $5,914 annually nationally. Teens are considered high-risk drivers — a leading cause of death for teens 15 to 18 years old is traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — and this risk cost is factored into your premium. If your teenager is at fault for an accident, count on your rates heading higher.
“Rates tend to go up around 30% after a single at-fault accident by a teenager, but they may not go up at all if the teen was not at fault,” McKenzie adds.
To help decrease your teen’s premiums after an accident, they should maintain a clean driving record to ensure their assessed risk decreases over time.
Why do insurers raise premiums following an at-fault accident?
If your insurance carrier increases your premium following an accident, it’s not meant to shame or reprimand you. They have determined that you are statistically a higher-risk driver and more likely to cost them money in the future.
“Remember that insurance carriers are in the business of managing risk,” Michael says. “Since people who cause one accident tend to be more likely to cause another, insurers need to charge these drivers more to account for that next accident.”
Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute, says that when you claim against your auto insurance policy above a specific amount due to an incident that is primarily your fault, your insurer will likely increase your premium by a certain percentage.
“The amounts, percentages and ceilings of these increases vary from company to company,” he says. “Increases due to an at-fault accident generally stay on your premium bill in the form of a surcharge for three to five years following the claim. It’s also important to note that all insurers have a proprietary underwriting system for determining the specific cost you will pay for coverage, which will impact how much more you will pay after an at-fault accident.”
Different insurers have varying rules about what constitutes an unacceptably bad driving record. If your driving history worsens due to serious traffic violations or at-fault accidents, your insurer may decide not to renew your policy, Friedlander says.
Average car insurance rate increases for accidents by state
Where you live can impact your car insurance rates, especially after an accident. The average increase in the U.S. for insurance premiums after one accident is 56% — an average increase of $920 per year. Learn more about how your state ranks after one at-fault accident in the chart below.
Average car insurance rate increases for one at-fault accident by state
New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas residents pay the most after an at-fault accident — with rate increases of 92% New Jersey and 71% in the other two. The table below details how much one at-fault accident will likely increase your auto insurance rate in each state.
| State | Average Annual Rate | Rate After One At-fault Accident | $ Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $1,286 | $1,880 | 46% | $594 |
| Alabama | $1,580 | $2,455 | 55% | $875 |
| Arkansas | $1,652 | $2,756 | 67% | $1,103 |
| Arizona | $1,719 | $2,623 | 53% | $904 |
| California | $2,207 | $3,703 | 68% | $1,495 |
| Colorado | $2,125 | $3,036 | 43% | $910 |
| Connecticut | $1,529 | $2,450 | 60% | $921 |
| Washington, D.C. | $1,909 | $2,783 | 46% | $874 |
| Delaware | $1,791 | $2,477 | 38% | $687 |
| Florida | $2,981 | $4,442 | 49% | $1,461 |
| Georgia | $1,710 | $2,729 | 60% | $1,018 |
| Hawaii | $1,309 | $1,841 | 41% | $533 |
| Iowa | $1,241 | $1,731 | 40% | $491 |
| Idaho | $1,082 | $1,578 | 46% | $496 |
| Illinois | $1,559 | $2,375 | 52% | $816 |
| Indiana | $1,363 | $2,228 | 63% | $865 |
| Kansas | $1,557 | $2,280 | 46% | $723 |
| Kentucky | $2,086 | $3,299 | 58% | $1,212 |
| Louisiana | $3,126 | $5,069 | 62% | $1,943 |
| Massachusetts | $1,776 | $2,805 | 58% | $1,029 |
| Maryland | $2,172 | $3,377 | 56% | $1,206 |
| Maine | $1,068 | $1,651 | 55% | $583 |
| Michigan | $3,915 | $5,821 | 49% | $1,906 |
| Minnesota | $1,768 | $2,510 | 42% | $743 |
| Missouri | $2,669 | $4,108 | 54% | $1,440 |
| Mississippi | $1,535 | $2,564 | 67% | $1,029 |
| Montana | $1,709 | $2,456 | 44% | $748 |
| North Carolina | $1,442 | $2,409 | 67% | $967 |
| North Dakota | $1,357 | $1,942 | 43% | $585 |
| Nebraska | $1,926 | $2,911 | 51% | $985 |
| New Hampshire | $1,023 | $1,572 | 54% | $548 |
| New Jersey | $2,232 | $4,287 | 92% | $2,055 |
| New Mexico | $1,657 | $2,316 | 40% | $659 |
| Nevada | $2,427 | $3,666 | 51% | $1,239 |
| New York | $1,822 | $2,513 | 38% | $692 |
| Ohio | $1,136 | $1,789 | 57% | $653 |
| Oklahoma | $1,968 | $2,982 | 52% | $1,014 |
| Oregon | $1,484 | $2,343 | 58% | $858 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,508 | $2,586 | 71% | $1,077 |
| Rhode Island | $1,923 | $2,003 | 4% | $80 |
| South Carolina | $1,804 | $2,591 | 44% | $788 |
| South Dakota | $1,585 | $2,193 | 38% | $607 |
| Tennessee | $1,360 | $2,141 | 57% | $781 |
| Texas | $2,036 | $3,489 | 71% | $1,453 |
| Utah | $1,629 | $2,525 | 55% | $896 |
| Virginia | $1,319 | $2,004 | 52% | $685 |
| Vermont | $1,195 | $1,685 | 41% | $490 |
| Washington | $1,500 | $2,240 | 49% | $740 |
| Wisconsin | $1,818 | $2,850 | 57% | $1,032 |
| West Virginia | $1,474 | $2,243 | 52% | $769 |
| Wyoming | $1,880 | $2,548 | 36% | $668 |
Average car insurance rate increases for two at-fault accidents by state
New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan residents pay the most after two at-fault accidents — 206%, 193% and 170% rate increases, respectively. See the table below for how much two at-fault accidents will likely increase your auto insurance rates in each state.
| State | Average Annual Rate | Rate After Two At-fault Accidents | $ Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $1,286 | $2,528 | $1,242 | 97% |
| Alabama | $1,580 | $3,364 | $1,784 | 113% |
| Arkansas | $1,652 | $3,740 | $2,088 | 126% |
| Arizona | $1,719 | $3,557 | $1,837 | 107% |
| California | $2,207 | $5,835 | $3,628 | 164% |
| Colorado | $2,125 | $4,094 | $1,969 | 93% |
| Connecticut | $1,529 | $3,913 | $2,384 | 156% |
| Washington, D.C. | $1,909 | $3,777 | $1,868 | 98% |
| Delaware | $1,791 | $3,504 | $1,713 | 96% |
| Florida | $2,981 | $5,986 | $3,005 | 101% |
| Georgia | $1,710 | $3,831 | $2,121 | 124% |
| Hawaii | $1,309 | $2,628 | $1,319 | 101% |
| Iowa | $1,241 | $2,320 | $1,079 | 87% |
| Idaho | $1,082 | $2,089 | $1,007 | 93% |
| Illinois | $1,559 | $3,455 | $1,895 | 122% |
| Indiana | $1,363 | $3,497 | $2,134 | 157% |
| Kansas | $1,557 | $3,142 | $1,585 | 102% |
| Kentucky | $2,086 | $4,711 | $2,624 | 126% |
| Louisiana | $3,126 | $6,951 | $3,826 | 122% |
| Massachusetts | $1,776 | $4,040 | $2,264 | 128% |
| Maryland | $2,172 | $4,406 | $2,234 | 103% |
| Maine | $1,068 | $2,369 | $1,301 | 122% |
| Michigan | $3,915 | $10,579 | $6,663 | 170% |
| Minnesota | $1,768 | $3,651 | $1,883 | 107% |
| Missouri | $2,669 | $5,349 | $2,680 | 100% |
| Mississippi | $1,535 | $3,605 | $2,070 | 135% |
| Montana | $1,709 | $3,182 | $1,473 | 86% |
| North Carolina | $1,442 | $2,891 | $1,449 | 100% |
| North Dakota | $1,357 | $2,682 | $1,325 | 98% |
| Nebraska | $1,926 | $4,062 | $2,135 | 111% |
| New Hampshire | $1,023 | $2,162 | $1,138 | 111% |
| New Jersey | $2,232 | $6,841 | $4,608 | 206% |
| New Mexico | $1,657 | $3,032 | $1,375 | 83% |
| Nevada | $2,427 | $4,996 | $2,570 | 106% |
| New York | $1,822 | $3,244 | $1,422 | 78% |
| Ohio | $1,136 | $2,605 | $1,469 | 129% |
| Oklahoma | $1,968 | $3,990 | $2,022 | 103% |
| Oregon | $1,484 | $3,219 | $1,734 | 117% |
| Pennsylvania | $1,508 | $4,418 | $2,910 | 193% |
| Rhode Island | $1,923 | $2,048 | $125 | 7% |
| South Carolina | $1,804 | $3,359 | $1,555 | 86% |
| South Dakota | $1,585 | $3,268 | $1,683 | 106% |
| Tennessee | $1,360 | $2,939 | $1,580 | 116% |
| Texas | $2,036 | $5,063 | $3,027 | 149% |
| Utah | $1,629 | $3,880 | $2,251 | 138% |
| Virginia | $1,319 | $2,864 | $1,545 | 117% |
| Vermont | $1,195 | $2,365 | $1,170 | 98% |
| Washington | $1,500 | $3,850 | $2,350 | 157% |
| Wisconsin | $1,818 | $4,143 | $2,324 | 128% |
| West Virginia | $1,474 | $3,151 | $1,677 | 114% |
| Wyoming | $1,880 | $3,373 | $1,493 | 79% |
FAQ: Car insurance after an accident
Will an accident raise your rates if you’re not at fault?
In the 12 states that have no-fault insurance laws — Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Utah — your premium may rise even if you did not cause the accident, according to Friedlander
Drivers in no-fault states file claims with their insurance company, which pays accident claims without determining fault. No-fault insurance requires every driver to file a claim with their insurance company after an accident.
How do insurers calculate an increase after an accident?
Insurance companies calculate premium increases based on your driving record. The more driving risk you have demonstrated in the past, the more you might have to pay for your auto insurance premiums now or in the future.
Usually, your carrier will re-evaluate your rates after claims or other driving incidents that are primarily your fault. Premium changes are applied during the next renewal of your policy. You can also shop around during your renewal period to compare rates for a more affordable premium.
How long does a car accident stay on my record?
An accident may remain on your motor vehicle record for three to five years. However, according to Friedlander, this length will vary from state to state. For example, an at-fault accident in California can remain on your record for three to five years and is automatically recorded after the incident. In New York, an accident remains on a motor vehicle record (MVR) the year it occurred and the following three years.
When does car insurance go down after an accident?
After five years, an at-fault accident should drop off your driving record; after three years, a not-at-fault accident should be removed from your driving record, per McKenzie. That’s when your rate should start to drop.
But be aware that, even after an accident falls off your driving record, your premium may remain higher than what you paid before the accident. Also, it may not drop off your record immediately — you’ll have to wait till the next renewal.
How do you find cheap car insurance after an accident?
If your rates increase following an accident, it can help to shop around for new coverage. The Insurance Information Institute recommends obtaining at least three quotes from a mix of national and regional insurers to compare costs and coverages.
A new insurer may also tack on an accident surcharge to your premium but could provide other policy discounts to decrease costs.
What is accident forgiveness?
Accident forgiveness is an auto insurance benefit that may prevent insurance premiums from rising due to your first at-fault accident. Accident forgiveness can be added to your policy or awarded if you have a good driving record, depending on your carrier. Dozens of regional and national insurers offer some form of accident forgiveness.
Does State Farm have accident forgiveness?
Yes, State Farm offers an accident forgiveness benefit if you’ve been with them for nine years and maintain a clean driving record.
Final thoughts: Car insurance rates after an accident
Anticipate your auto insurance premiums spiking after an accident, especially when you are at fault. This rate increase can remain on your policy for up to three years and will increase when it’s time to renew.
You can shop around and compare rates and policies among different carriers to save money. Keeping your driving record clear of additional moving violations is essential to decreasing your assessed driving risk.
If you have not been involved in an at-fault accident for several years, consider adding accident forgiveness to your policy if your carrier offers it. This can safeguard you from premiums rising following a collision.
You might also be interested in– Michelle Megna contributed to this story.
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CarInsurance.com commissioned data from Quadrant Information Services for a 40-year-old male driver with a good driving record and full coverage insurance on a Honda Accord LX for drivers with one or two at-fault property damage accidents over $2K.
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