How Does a Car Accident Affect Your Car Insurance?

Getting into a car accident usually increases your insurance premium. Recent 2024–2025 analyses show that one at-fault crash commonly raises a full-coverage policy by about 40%–50% on average, with substantial variation by state and insurer; the dollar jump is larger than a few years ago because underlying premiums are higher (Bankrate; The Zebra; LexisNexis).

But how much your premium goes up depends on the state where you live, what the incident was and other factors like your insurer and coverage. We’ll outline 2025 national and state patterns, show how provider practices differ, and cover what to consider with insurance after an accident. For context, Bankrate places the 2025 national average full-coverage premium around $2,543; at a mid‑point 45% post‑accident increase, that’s roughly +$1,145 per year on a typical policy—actual results vary by state and carrier (Bankrate).

How Much Will My Insurance Go Up After an Accident by State?

Wondering how much does insurance go up after an accident? In 2024–2025 market data, a single recent at-fault accident typically leads to a sizable surcharge on full coverage, with most states falling somewhere between roughly 25% and 75% higher for a standard driver profile (Bankrate; The Zebra). Higher‑increase states commonly include California, Michigan, New York, Florida and Nevada (often ≥55%), while lower‑increase states often include Idaho, Maine, Iowa, North Dakota and Wyoming (often ≤35%) (Bankrate; The Zebra).

Premium costs are determined by complex equations that draw on a number of factors, such as car make and model and personal driving history. But all insurance costs are heavily regulated by state laws, which determine how much providers can charge people for insurance. State rules can also define surcharge schedules—for example, North Carolina’s Safe Driver Incentive Plan applies point‑based surcharges for at‑fault crashes meeting set thresholds, generally for three years.

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2025 benchmarks and state ranges based on recent analyses; see Bankrate (average costs) and Bankrate (post‑accident), plus The Zebra 2025 for comparative state patterns.

How Much Will My Insurance Go Up After an Accident by Provider? 

The increase in your premium after an accident also varies by insurance provider. Each insurer files its own rating plan and surcharge factors, and the broader environment has seen elevated premiums into late 2024 (the motor vehicle insurance CPI posted high year‑over‑year gains), amplifying the dollar impact of any surcharge (BLS CPI; LexisNexis). State regulators approve carrier‑specific filings, so two insurers in the same state can show noticeably different changes in 2024–2025.

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Provider impacts in 2024–2025 vary by state filings and insurer mix. For market context, see the LexisNexis U.S. Auto Insurance Trends Report and the BLS CPI release; base-rate differences by insurer and state drive wide dispersion.

What If the Accident Wasn’t Your Fault?

Even if you weren’t at fault, a claim can still affect your price in some cases because insurers may remove a claims‑free discount or re‑tier your risk; true “post‑accident” discounts are uncommon (NAIC on usage‑based insurance). State rules differ: some programs (e.g., North Carolina’s SDIP) tie surcharges to at‑fault crashes that exceed defined thresholds, and not-at-fault incidents typically don’t trigger those surcharges. Always review your policy and your state’s rules.

However, many providers offer “accident forgiveness” that can prevent a surcharge on your first at‑fault crash, either as an earned benefit or optional add‑on. Availability and eligibility vary by state and insurer—see examples from Progressive, GEICO, and Travelers’ Responsible Driver Plan. Ask whether forgiveness is per policy or per driver, if a clean-history period is required, and what exclusions apply.

Which Claims Increase Your Rates the Most?

Most claims influence your premium, and insurers often differentiate by severity (for example, whether there was bodily injury and the paid-loss amount). Some states publish surcharge schedules that apply for a defined period (e.g., North Carolina’s three‑year SDIP), which tie higher surcharges to more severe, at‑fault crashes (learn more). Below are scenarios that typically carry the largest impact.

• Drunk driving (DUI/DWI) — Alcohol‑related crashes carry severe legal and insurance consequences. Many insurers will nonrenew or heavily surcharge; DUI‑related entries also remain much longer on DMV records in many states.

• At‑fault accident with injuries or high paid loss — Claims involving bodily injury or large property‑damage payouts typically trigger higher surcharge tiers where state/insurer schedules apply.

• At‑fault accident that totals a car — Total losses often indicate high severity; many rating plans treat these as surchargeable events for multiple years.

• Multiple recent claims — More than one chargeable accident within a look‑back window commonly results in stacked surcharges or placement into a higher‑risk tier.

How to Get a Lower Rate After an Accident

After an accident, you’ll probably experience a rate increase in your car insurance. But there are evidence‑based ways to mitigate costs. In many states, accident surcharges persist about 3–5 years, so actions that add offsets or discounts can meaningfully reduce the net effect while you wait for the surcharge to expire (Insurance Information Institute).

• Step 1: Adjust your coverages — If your premium is no longer affordable after an accident, you can lower optional coverages or raise deductibles to reduce costs. Be cautious: this reduces protection and potential claim payments.

• Step 2: Find a different provider — Some insurers price more competitively for drivers with recent accidents. If your current insurance is too expensive after a car accident, getting quotes from different providers can uncover lower rates, especially as carriers respond differently to recent loss trends (The Zebra 2025).

• Step 3: Check for discounts — While true post‑accident discounts are rare, you can still stack savings: enroll in telematics for behavior/mileage‑based discounts (e.g., up to 40% potential with Nationwide SmartRide or up to 30% with State Farm Drive Safe & Save), complete an approved defensive‑driving course (e.g., New York PIRP provides a 10% base‑rate reduction for three years), and pursue standard bundles (multi‑car, home/auto). Regulators broadly support usage‑based programs with consumer protections (NAIC).

• Step 4: Improve your credit — In most states, credit‑based insurance scores materially affect premiums; improving credit can lower rates over time. Note that some states (California, Hawaii, Massachusetts) do not allow credit in auto rating (NAIC; California DOI).

How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Record?

How long an accident stays on your driving record depends on the state and severity. Many states display standard (non‑DUI) accidents for about 3–5 years, while DUI‑related entries can remain much longer. Examples: California generally shows most accidents for 3 years and keeps alcohol‑related matters for 10 years (Cal. Vehicle Code §1808); New York typically shows accident involvement for 4 years (NY DMV); Washington lists collisions for 5 years (WA DOL). For insurance pricing, some states apply separate windows for “surchargeable events” (for example, Massachusetts treats at‑fault crashes as affecting insurance for 6 years) (Massachusetts RMV/Merit Rating Board).

FAQs about Car Insurance After an Accident