After an accident, you may wonder how much your insurance will increase. If the crash was your fault, your rate often rises by around 45% on average. That can add hundreds or even over a thousand dollars a year. Unfortunately, the increase usually sticks around for three to five years before it fades.
If you caused the crash, expect a real jump. An at-fault accident raises full-coverage rates by about 45% on average. On a typical policy, that can mean well over a thousand dollars more a year.
Why This Happens
According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurers see at-fault drivers as higher risk. So they add a “surcharge” to your premium to cover the chance you file another claim. The bigger the claim and the damage, the bigger the hit.
The increase doesn’t immediately disappear. An at-fault accident usually stays on your record for three to five years.
An at-fault accident can raise your rate by about 45% and follow you for years. That makes fault a big deal.
Does Insurance Go Up If the Accident Was Not Your Fault?
This surprises a lot of people. Even a crash that was not your fault can raise your rate. But the increase is usually much smaller.
Not-At-Fault Rules Typically Vary
On average, a not-at-fault accident raises rates far less than an at-fault one. And a few states, like California and Oklahoma, ban insurers from raising rates at all when you were not to blame. Most states, though, still allow some increase.
Why Fault Matters So Much
If another driver caused the crash, their insurance should pay for the damage, not yours. When you use the at-fault driver’s coverage, your own rate is far less likely to spike. So proving the other driver was at fault can protect your wallet twice. If your insurer treats you unfairly, our insurance dispute attorneys can step in.
What Affects Your Rate Increase or Decrease
Two drivers don’t receive the same increase or decrease after an accident. Several factors affect your insurance rates, including liability and records.
- Responsibilities, because being at-fault typically causes the biggest increases
- How terrible the crash was
- Your driving record, because a clean record may soften a blow, but not a prior one
- Your state and insurer; rules and prices differ a lot from one company to the next
Insurers price accidents differently. The same crash can cost you much more at one company than another. That is why it helps to compare quotes after a car accident, especially once a surcharge hits your policy.
How to Lower the Increase or Avoid It Entirely
Fortunately, you’re not stuck with a sky-high rate forever. You can lower your rates in different ways, including “accident forgiveness” and comparing quotes.
- “Accident forgiveness” may waive the hike on your first at-fault crash
- Compare quotes from other insurers
- Take a defensive driving course if allowed
- Avoid filing small claims you could pay out of pocket
However, if someone else caused the crash, you shouldn’t let their mistake raise your rates. This is especially important in Alabama, where one in five drivers has no insurance at all. When an uninsured driver hits you, the right legal help can protect both your claim and your rate. The best thing you can do is talk to an attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Rates After an Accident
How much does insurance go up after an accident?
How much insurance goes up after an accident depends mostly on who is responsible. For an at-fault crash, rates rise by about 45% on average, which can add over $1,000 a year. A not-at-fault accident usually raises rates much less; some states don’t allow an increase at all. The accident affects your rate for three to five years.
How much does insurance go up after an at-fault accident?
After an at-fault accident, full-coverage car insurance rates can rise by as much as 45%. On a typical policy, that may mean hundreds of extra dollars per year. The increase usually lasts three to five years, though the surcharge often shrinks over time.
Does insurance go up if the accident is not your fault?
Yes, even if the accident wasn’t your fault. Many states allow insurers to raise your rate, though usually by much less than an at-fault accident. A few states, like California and Oklahoma, ban increases for not-at-fault accidents. Using the at-fault driver’s insurance, instead of your own, helps protect your rate.
How long does an accident stay on your insurance?
An at-fault accident usually stays on your insurance record for three to five years. It depends on your state and insurer. Typically, after the accident “ages” off your record, your rate returns to normal if you stay claim-free.
What is accident forgiveness?
“Accident forgiveness” is an add-on that some insurers offer. They prevent your rate from going up after your first at-fault accident. However, it usually must be active before the crash to apply. Rules and eligibility vary by company and state, so check your policy to see if you have it.
Trust Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Today
A crash you didn’t cause should not cost you for years. When another driver is at fault, we fight to make their insurance pay, so the bill does not land on you. Do not let an unfair rate hike go unchallenged. Schedule a free case review today.
Reviewed by Alexander Shunnarah, Attorney and Chief Executive Officer at Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, on 2026-10-05.
