Guide
How Much Car Insurance Goes Up After an Accident
Typical premium increases after an at-fault accident by claim size and state, when the increase appears, and why two insurers can react very differently.
By Olivia Grant · Editor
Published · Updated
Answer in brief
After an at-fault accident, full-coverage premiums typically rise 30–50% at the next renewal—roughly $600–$1,000 a year for an average policy—and more for claims over about $2,000 or with injuries. The increase appears at renewal, not immediately, and lasts three to five years, tapering in later years. Insurers differ sharply: the same accident can add 20% with one company and 70% with another, which is why shopping after the first surcharged renewal often recovers much of the cost.
| Accident | Typical increase | Dollar impact |
|---|---|---|
| At-fault, property damage under ~$1,000 | 0–20% (often below surcharge threshold) | $0–$400 |
| At-fault, property damage $1,000–$5,000 | 30–50% | $600–$1,000 |
| At-fault, with injuries | 40–80% | $800–$1,600 |
| Not-at-fault, other driver identified | 0–10% | $0–$200 |
| Second at-fault within 3 years | 80–150% or nonrenewal | $1,600+ |
Why the spread is so wide
Each insurer sets its own surcharge schedule, claim threshold, and lookback period. Some rate on the dollar amount paid; some on the number of incidents; some weight injury claims far more heavily. A driver who was a good fit for one insurer before the accident may be a poor fit afterwards, and a different insurer may barely care.
When it shows up
Rates cannot change mid-term. The surcharge arrives at the first renewal after the claim closes—sometimes two renewals later if the claim was still open. It then steps down in years three through five.
Entries in this guide
Specific questions answered in more depth.
Questions & answers
How much does insurance go up after an at-fault accident?
Typically 30–50% at renewal for a property-damage claim; more with injuries.
Does insurance go up after a not-at-fault accident?
Usually little or nothing when the other driver is identified; some insurers apply a small increase.
When does the increase start?
At the next renewal after the claim closes.
Terms used in this guide
- At-fault accident
- A crash for which you are assigned the majority of responsibility; typically surcharged for three to five years.
- Surcharge
- A rate increase applied for an accident or violation, largest in year one and tapering.
- Chargeable claim
- A claim that triggers a surcharge—usually at-fault and above the insurer's dollar threshold.
- Claim threshold
- The paid amount (often $750–$2,000) above which an at-fault claim becomes chargeable.
Sources and references
Legal figures on this page (minimum limits, filing periods, statutory benefits) are checked against the primary law or the state insurance regulator listed below. Links and figures last verified Nov 2026.
- Facts + Statistics: Highway safety — Insurance Information InstituteStatistical dataCrash, injury and fatality trends used to explain why liability and injury coverages cost what they do.
- What determines the price of an auto insurance policy? — Insurance Information InstituteConsumer guidanceRating factors: driving record, mileage, location, age, gender, vehicle, credit-based insurance score, coverage choices. Notes ZIP-code rating is prohibited in California and Michigan and gender rating is prohibited in seven states.
- How much auto coverage do I need? — Insurance Information InstituteConsumer guidanceWhy state minimums are a floor; choosing liability limits that protect assets; when collision and comprehensive are worth keeping.
- Consumer insurance information — National Association of Insurance CommissionersConsumer guidancePlain-language guides from the body of state insurance regulators; links to every state's insurance department and complaint process.
- How to file an auto insurance claim — Insurance Information InstituteConsumer guidanceSteps after a crash: document the scene, notify the insurer promptly, understand the adjuster's role.
- Understanding your insurance deductibles — Insurance Information InstituteConsumer guidanceHow deductibles apply to collision and comprehensive and how raising them lowers premium.
Practical guidance on this page is original editorial work. Cited sources support factual statements and do not endorse this site. Dollar ranges described as typical or illustrative are editorial estimates, not figures from these sources.
Guide
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