Car Insurance After an Accident: What You Need to Know
Let us help you save up to 30% on Auto Insurance
Car insurance rates typically rise 25%–35% after an at-fault accident, and 15%–25% after a not-at-fault accident, according to Insurify’s 2026 rate analysis. The exact increase depends on your insurer, state, and driving history, and it usually fades within three to five years. In California and Oklahoma, state law limits how much insurers can raise rates for accidents that weren’t your fault. Comparing quotes from at least three insurers remains the most effective way to soften the impact.
Yes, you can get car insurance after an accident but you can also expect it to cost roughly 38% more than your pre-accident insurance. 38% is only the average increase in cost too—some states may charge more and the greater the damage you do in the accident, the more you can expect to pay.
Why?
Because being at-fault in an accident makes you a risky driver, and when you are a higher risk driver, you’re more likely (as far as the insurance company is concerned) to get in more accidents, file more claims and need more money from them. So, they’re going to charge you more to cover you.
Car accidents usually stay on your record for about three years, but that can go as high as 10 years for serious accidents or incidents like reckless driving, hit and runs and DUIs.
| Scenario | Typical Monthly Rate Range | Typical % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $90 – $105 | — |
| Not-at-fault accident | $110 – $125 | 15% – 25% |
| At-fault accident | $120 – $140 | 25% – 35% |
| Tier | Typical Increase Range | Example Insurers |
|---|---|---|
| Smaller-than-average increase | 20% – 30% | Country Financial, Auto-Owners, State Farm, USAA |
| Around the national average | 30% – 45% | GEICO, American Family, National General |
| Larger-than-average increase | 45%+ | The General, Liberty Mutual, Amica |
Sometimes, but usually by less than an at-fault accident. In California and Oklahoma, state law restricts insurers from raising your rate for an accident where you weren’t at fault. In most other states, a not-at-fault accident can still cause a smaller increase, especially if you’ve filed other claims recently.
Most insurers apply the surcharge for three to five years, with the increase typically largest in the first year and gradually shrinking as the accident ages assuming a clean record afterward. If the accident happened well before your policy renewal date, the surcharge period can run longer than the standard three-to-five-year window.
Accident forgiveness is great—If you had it before yoru accident. Accident forgiveness is a program offered by some providers that waives the first at-fault surcharge waived. These programs will only “forgive” one claim per set time (usually three to five years), but if you have it in place pre-accident, you can save yourself a lot of money in the long-run.
This said, not all providers offer this program and those that do charge a little more for it. So, if you need it, it’s worth it. And if you never end up needing it, it could be a waste of money.
An easy way to determine if it is right for you is to consider your driving history and your driving frequency. Even if you have a spotless driving record, if you are on the road a lot, you’re more likely to be in an accident so benefiting from accident forgiveness is a surer bet.
Conversely, if you don’t drive a lot and have a good driving record, then you probably won’t benefit from accident forgiveness.
When in doubt about anything to do with your auto insurance, talk to your agent. Request a fast and free quote and we’ll get you in touch with one, pronto.
Getting insurance after an accident is more expensive, but it’s not impossible. The key is reducing your rates through applicable discounts, and–of course–improving your driving habits so you don’t rack up more red flags on your record.
That depends on the severity of the accident. Three to five years is standard for more minor infractions whereas your insurance rates could stay elevated for as long as 10 years after serious offences like reckless driving or a DUI.
Usually, yes. However, if the accident is small and you can pay out-of-pocket, then you may want to get an estimate before you file—which will almost inevitably increase your premiums. If you can pay for a minor fender bender yourself, you probably want to.
Lauren Lewthwaite Lauren Lewthwaite has been freelance writing for almost five years writing content that ranges from health to insurance and everything in between. Lauren is also a trained translator in French and English and is a dog-mom to an adorable Australian Shepherd.
