When you are involved in a car accident, one of your first initial concerns might be how much your car insurance premiums will increase. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 6.76 million police-reported accidents in 2019, the most current figures available. The car insurance industry estimates that the average driver will file a collision claim every 17.9 years, equating to about three to four accidents in a lifetime. Enter your zip code or city below to find more specific rate averages near you:
Does my insurance go up if an accident isn’t my fault?
Before you panic, an accident does not always necessarily spell car insurance disaster. Certain circumstances may only raise your rates on a comprehensive coverage policy a little bit, if at all, such as being rear-ended, a hit-and-run, a collision with an animal, or being legally parked and hit by another vehicle. It is reported that consumers will see an average of between 2% and 10% increase in their annual premiums after a no-fault accident, but in California and Oklahoma it is against the law for insurance companies to increase your rates after a no-fault claim.
However, If you are in an at-fault accident that results in a claim on your insurance, you can expect your premiums to increase at the next renewal period. Now might be a good time to explore other insurance companies.
How much will an accident affect my insurance?
Some drivers mistakenly believe that only points from speeding tickets, accidents, and other infractions assessed to their driver’s licenses affect their insurance rates. While a bad record will certainly raise your premium, there are a host of other factors that are considered–your age, what type of car you drive, your credit score, how long you have been driving and your marital status to name a few–when your rate is calculated.
Laws, regulations, and limits vary from state to state, making it difficult to compare insurance prices across the nation. The national average for an adult driver with a clean record for full coverage ranges from between $107 a month ($1,285/year) in Maine to $363 ($4,356/year) in Michigan. For a driver with an accident on their record, Maine drivers only see an average increase of $60 a month to $167 ($2,011/year) while Michigan residents see a nearly $200 hike to $546 ($6,553/year).
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with accidents
We analyzed the insurance companies offered in each state and determined what company is the best for the average adult who has been in an accident. It is crucial to note that since insurance premiums rely on a number of factors not related to your driving record, it is important to verify this information by getting an individualized quote and comparing companies to find the best insurance rates for your circumstances.
Lowest premiums (yearly) for drivers in an accident
State |
Average rate for drivers with accidents on record |
Best provider
|
Potential switch savings |
$2,984 |
$777 |
||
$2,132 |
$672 |
||
$4,401 |
$1,976 |
||
$3,094 |
$1,446 |
||
$3,550 |
$1,316 |
||
$4,650 |
$3,543 |
||
$4,062 |
$2,268 |
||
$4,132 |
$1,624 |
||
$4,549 |
$2,452 |
||
$3,527 |
$2,085 |
||
$2,358 |
$586 |
||
$2,292 |
$1,143 |
||
$3,340 |
$2,048 |
||
$2,339 |
$929 |
||
$2,337 |
$1,026 |
||
$2,767 |
$1,049 |
||
$4,296 |
$2,419 |
||
$5,226 |
$3,006 |
||
$2,011 |
$752 |
||
$3,631 |
$1,027 |
||
$3,304 |
$1,260 |
||
$6,553 |
$4,595 |
||
$3,247 |
$1,768 |
||
$3,198 |
$1,568 |
||
$3,592 |
$1,961 |
||
$3,193 |
$1,765 |
||
$3,104 |
$1,718 |
||
$4,744 |
$2,954 |
||
$3,038 |
$1,971 |
||
$4,539 |
$2,641 |
||
$2,904 |
$1,508 |
||
$3,627 |
$566 |
||
$2,309 |
$1,107 |
||
$3,077 |
$1,655 |
||
$2,203 |
$1,174 |
||
$3,549 |
$1,846 |
||
$3,659 |
$2,008 |
||
$2,648 |
$1,244 |
||
$4,249 |
$1,394 |
||
$3,023 |
$1,064 |
||
$3,202 |
$1,776 |
||
$2,601 |
$1,072 |
||
$4,192 |
$2,977 |
||
$3,622 |
$1,142 |
||
$2,440 |
$738 |
||
$2,345 |
$1,454 |
||
$2,530 |
$930 |
||
$2,967 |
$1,385 |
||
$2,272 |
$710 |
||
$2,754 |
$1,427 |
||
$3,094 |
$717 |
You can expect an accident to affect your insurance premiums in most states for three to five years. Some companies will charge the same higher amount until the accident is dropped from your driving record while others may lessen the premium as time goes on so long as you don’t add more citations or claims. It is a good idea to reassess your insurance needs as you get closer to the time when the accident will fall off your record to see if you can find a cheaper policy with another company.