CarInsurance.com Insights
- Insurance rates increase about 57% or $1,074 annually after one at-fault accident. After two at-fault accidents, you can anticipate a 123% rate increase — $2,337 more annually.
- Increasing your deductible can lower your monthly premium, but you must pay it before insurance kicks in.
- An accident can stay on your record for three to 10 years, depending on the severity of the accident.
Automobile accidents – especially those involving repairs, vehicle replacement, or medical bills – can be costly. On average, your car insurance will increase 57% after one at-fault accident with more than $2,000 in damages. It’ll be even more pricey if it’s your second at-fault accident — the average increase after a second at-fault accident is 123%.
“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 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. “Some states can raise the renewal rate 50% or higher.”
How much does insurance increase after an accident?
On average, an accident with property damage greater than $2,000 will raise your car insurance rate to an average annual rate of $2,969 per year. For two property damage accidents, your rate will increase to $4,232 per year.
Ben Michael, an attorney in Austin, Texas, 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.
In the table below, see how much car insurance goes up for common accident claims, including comprehensive claims for damage to your car from hail, flooding, vandalism, fire and animal collisions.
| Accident or Comprehensive Claim | Average Annual Rate | $ Increase after accident | % Increase after accident |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 at-fault property damage accident over $2K | $2,969 | $1,074 | 57% |
| 1 at-fault property damage accident under $2K | $2,948 | $1,053 | 56% |
| 1 comprehensive claim for over $2K | $2,241 | $346 | 18% |
| 1 comprehensive claim for under $2K | $2,227 | $332 | 18% |
| 2 at-fault property damage accident over $2K | $4,232 | $2,337 | 123% |
| 2 comprehensive claims for over $2K | $2,502 | $607 | 32% |
| At-fault bodily injury accident | $3,093 | $1,198 | 63% |
| Single vehicle accident (driver’s car only) | $2,960 | $1,065 | 56% |
How does an at-fault accident impact premiums?
Although car insurance rates usually increase after an at-fault accident, that’s not always the case. 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.
“Insurance companies can take into consideration fault when determining policy premiums,” says Michael McCready, founder of McCready Law Injury Attorneys in Chicago. “There are many facts which go into premiums, some of which are in the control of the applicant, but many which are not. But certainly, an at-fault accident is likely to result in an increase in your premium.”
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.
Car insurance cost increase after an accident in each state
The average increase in the U.S. for insurance premiums after one accident is 57% — an average increase of $1,074 annually. But where you live can impact your car insurance rates, especially after an accident.
New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas residents pay the most after an at-fault accident — with rate increases of 82% New Jersey and 71% in the other two. Each of these increases represents costs rising by over $1,000.
Drivers in Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine and Hawaii see the lowest average increase, with annual rates rising by less than $600 after an accident.
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 | $1,676 | $2,506 | $830 | 50% |
| Alabama | $1,860 | $2,877 | $1,017 | 55% |
| Arkansas | $1,957 | $3,009 | $1,052 | 54% |
| Arizona | $1,812 | $2,801 | $989 | 55% |
| California | $2,416 | $3,977 | $1,561 | 65% |
| Colorado | $2,337 | $3,428 | $1,091 | 47% |
| Connecticut | $1,725 | $2,721 | $996 | 58% |
| Washington, D.C. | $2,157 | $3,077 | $920 | 43% |
| Delaware | $2,063 | $3,230 | $1,167 | 57% |
| Florida | $2,694 | $3,991 | $1,297 | 48% |
| Georgia | $1,970 | $3,093 | $1,123 | 57% |
| Hawaii | $1,517 | $2,116 | $599 | 39% |
| Iowa | $1,630 | $2,364 | $734 | 45% |
| Idaho | $1,428 | $2,210 | $782 | 55% |
| Illinois | $1,532 | $2,344 | $812 | 53% |
| Indiana | $1,515 | $2,506 | $991 | 65% |
| Kansas | $1,900 | $2,959 | $1,059 | 56% |
| Kentucky | $2,228 | $3,569 | $1,341 | 60% |
| Louisiana | $2,883 | $4,291 | $1,408 | 49% |
| Massachusetts | $1,726 | $2,690 | $964 | 56% |
| Maryland | $1,746 | $2,745 | $999 | 57% |
| Maine | $1,175 | $1,761 | $586 | 50% |
| Michigan | $2,352 | $3,661 | $1,309 | 56% |
| Minnesota | $1,911 | $2,912 | $1,001 | 52% |
| Missouri | $1,982 | $2,866 | $884 | 45% |
| Mississippi | $2,008 | $3,379 | $1,371 | 68% |
| Montana | $2,193 | $3,085 | $892 | 41% |
| North Carolina | $1,741 | $2,949 | $1,208 | 69% |
| North Dakota | $1,665 | $2,409 | $744 | 45% |
| Nebraska | $1,902 | $3,099 | $1,197 | 63% |
| New Hampshire | $1,265 | $1,923 | $658 | 52% |
| New Jersey | $1,902 | $3,439 | $1,537 | 81% |
| New Mexico | $2,049 | $2,940 | $891 | 43% |
| Nevada | $2,060 | $3,221 | $1,161 | 56% |
| New York | $1,870 | $2,595 | $725 | 39% |
| Ohio | $1,417 | $2,370 | $953 | 67% |
| Oklahoma | $2,138 | $3,119 | $981 | 46% |
| Oregon | $1,678 | $2,640 | $962 | 57% |
| Pennsylvania | $1,872 | $3,204 | $1,332 | 71% |
| Rhode Island | $2,061 | $2,374 | $313 | 15% |
| South Carolina | $2,009 | $2,886 | $877 | 44% |
| South Dakota | $2,280 | $3,189 | $909 | 40% |
| Tennessee | $1,677 | $2,609 | $932 | 56% |
| Texas | $2,043 | $3,485 | $1,442 | 71% |
| Utah | $1,825 | $2,875 | $1,050 | 58% |
| Virginia | $1,469 | $2,342 | $873 | 59% |
| Vermont | $1,319 | $1,869 | $550 | 42% |
| Washington | $1,608 | $2,458 | $850 | 53% |
| Wisconsin | $1,664 | $2,533 | $869 | 52% |
| West Virginia | $2,005 | $2,989 | $984 | 49% |
| Wyoming | $1,758 | $2,454 | $696 | 40% |
Average car insurance rate increase after two at-fault accidents by state
Michigan, California, New Jersey, Connecticut and Louisiana residents pay the most after two at-fault accidents — with rates increasing by over $3,000 after two at-fault accidents. Average rates in Michigan increased by more than $4,000.
A second at-fault accident will cause your premiums to skyrocket — it will increase your rate by 123%, up to an average of $4,232.
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.
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 Accident | $ Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $1,676 | $3,430 | $1,754 | 105% |
| Alabama | $1,860 | $3,932 | $2,072 | 111% |
| Arkansas | $1,957 | $4,121 | $2,164 | 111% |
| Arizona | $1,812 | $3,778 | $1,966 | 108% |
| California | $2,416 | $6,335 | $3,919 | 162% |
| Colorado | $2,337 | $4,608 | $2,271 | 97% |
| Connecticut | $1,725 | $5,130 | $3,405 | 197% |
| Washington, D.C. | $2,157 | $4,034 | $1,877 | 87% |
| Delaware | $2,063 | $4,424 | $2,361 | 114% |
| Florida | $2,694 | $5,294 | $2,600 | 97% |
| Georgia | $1,970 | $4,236 | $2,266 | 115% |
| Hawaii | $1,517 | $2,603 | $1,086 | 72% |
| Iowa | $1,630 | $3,083 | $1,453 | 89% |
| Idaho | $1,428 | $3,019 | $1,591 | 111% |
| Illinois | $1,532 | $3,354 | $1,822 | 119% |
| Indiana | $1,515 | $3,873 | $2,358 | 156% |
| Kansas | $1,900 | $4,013 | $2,113 | 111% |
| Kentucky | $2,228 | $4,774 | $2,546 | 114% |
| Louisiana | $2,883 | $6,082 | $3,199 | 111% |
| Massachusetts | $1,726 | $3,969 | $2,243 | 130% |
| Maryland | $1,746 | $3,716 | $1,970 | 113% |
| Maine | $1,175 | $2,589 | $1,414 | 120% |
| Michigan | $2,352 | $6,621 | $4,269 | 182% |
| Minnesota | $1,911 | $4,234 | $2,323 | 122% |
| Missouri | $1,982 | $3,729 | $1,747 | 88% |
| Mississippi | $2,008 | $4,730 | $2,722 | 136% |
| Montana | $2,193 | $3,837 | $1,644 | 75% |
| North Carolina | $1,741 | $3,528 | $1,787 | 103% |
| North Dakota | $1,665 | $3,048 | $1,383 | 83% |
| Nebraska | $1,902 | $4,405 | $2,503 | 132% |
| New Hampshire | $1,265 | $2,586 | $1,321 | 104% |
| New Jersey | $1,902 | $5,427 | $3,525 | 185% |
| New Mexico | $2,049 | $3,826 | $1,777 | 87% |
| Nevada | $2,060 | $4,442 | $2,382 | 116% |
| New York | $1,870 | $3,337 | $1,467 | 78% |
| Ohio | $1,417 | $3,563 | $2,146 | 151% |
| Oklahoma | $2,138 | $4,061 | $1,923 | 90% |
| Oregon | $1,678 | $3,596 | $1,918 | 114% |
| Pennsylvania | $1,872 | $4,031 | $2,159 | 115% |
| Rhode Island | $2,061 | $2,500 | $439 | 21% |
| South Carolina | $2,009 | $3,731 | $1,722 | 86% |
| South Dakota | $2,280 | $4,158 | $1,878 | 82% |
| Tennessee | $1,677 | $3,550 | $1,873 | 112% |
| Texas | $2,043 | $4,938 | $2,895 | 142% |
| Utah | $1,825 | $4,376 | $2,551 | 140% |
| Virginia | $1,469 | $3,232 | $1,763 | 120% |
| Vermont | $1,319 | $2,756 | $1,437 | 109% |
| Washington | $1,608 | $3,944 | $2,336 | 145% |
| Wisconsin | $1,664 | $3,592 | $1,928 | 116% |
| West Virginia | $2,005 | $4,129 | $2,124 | 106% |
| Wyoming | $1,758 | $3,221 | $1,463 | 83% |
Cheapest car insurance companies after an accident
Some companies offer more lenient increases after an accident. For example, after an accident, rates at State Farm increase by an average of 22% — the lowest increase among large national carriers. Although that’s a notable increase in cost, it’s less than some other companies, with rates rising by over 60% at other large companies like Allstate, Farmers and GEICO.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies after an accident.
| Company | Average Annual Rate | Rate After One At-fault Accident | $ Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,509 | $4,153 | $1,644 | 66% |
| Farmers | $2,387 | $3,920 | $1,533 | 64% |
| GEICO | $1,763 | $3,155 | $1,392 | 79% |
| Nationwide | $1,548 | $2,546 | $998 | 64% |
| Progressive | $1,998 | $3,119 | $1,121 | 56% |
| State Farm | $1,984 | $2,413 | $429 | 22% |
| Travelers | $1,606 | $2,481 | $875 | 54% |
| USAA* | $1,381 | $2,084 | $703 | 51% |
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 (Triple-I), 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,” Friedlander 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.
How do you find cheap car insurance after an accident?
If your rates increase following an accident, use the following strategies to find cheap car insurance:
- Shop around: Obtaining quotes from multiple car insurance companies can help you tap into the most affordable rates for your unique situation.
- Ask about discounts: Many insurance companies offer discounts to lower your car insurance costs, such as bundling home and auto, professional discounts, safety feature discounts and more.
- Drop coverage you don’t need: You can get cheaper car insurance by dropping comprehensive and collision coverage if you have an older vehicle.
- Raise your deductible: Generally, a higher deductible leads to a lower insurance premium. If you have the funds on hand to cover a higher deductible, this switch could lead to savings.
FAQs
Will my insurance go up if I file a claim?
Generally, your insurance company will increase your premiums when you file a claim due to an at-fault accident. It’s typically not worth filing a claim for small damages like damage to a windshield – you’ll still have to pay your deductible, which could increase your car insurance premium.
Will an accident raise your rates if you’re not at fault?
In the 12 states that have no-fault insurance laws, your premium may rise even if you did not cause the accident, according to Friedlander.
In the United States, no-fault car insurance requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, ensuring that each party’s medical costs and related expenses are covered regardless of fault. The following states operate under no-fault insurance systems: Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Utah.
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 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.
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.
How much does insurance go up for a teen after an accident?
“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 says.
If your teenager is at fault for an accident, count on your rates heading higher.
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.
Does Progressive offer accident forgiveness?
New customers automatically get small accident forgiveness, where your insurance rate stays the same for your first claim that’s less than or equal to $500. From there, you can purchase additional accident forgiveness benefits.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
Insurance Information Institute. “Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim.” August 2025
Methodology
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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