{"id":320750,"date":"2025-11-10T18:27:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T23:27:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/?p=114571"},"modified":"2025-11-10T18:27:04","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T23:27:04","slug":"how-car-accident-affect-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/car\/how-car-accident-affect-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does a Car Accident Affect Your Car Insurance?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Getting into a car accident usually increases your insurance premium. Recent 2024\u20132025 analyses show that one at-fault crash commonly raises a full-coverage policy by about 40%\u201350% on average, with substantial variation by state and insurer; the dollar jump is larger than a few years ago because underlying premiums are higher (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\">Bankrate<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thezebra.com\/resources\/research\/state-of-auto-insurance-2025\/\">The Zebra<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/risk.lexisnexis.com\">LexisNexis<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019ll 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\u2011point 45% post\u2011accident increase, that\u2019s roughly +$1,145 per year on a typical policy\u2014actual results vary by state and carrier (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">Bankrate<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Much Will My Insurance Go Up After an Accident by State?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Wondering how much does insurance go up after an accident? In 2024\u20132025 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 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\">Bankrate<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thezebra.com\/resources\/research\/state-of-auto-insurance-2025\/\">The Zebra<\/a>). Higher\u2011increase states commonly include California, Michigan, New York, Florida and Nevada (often \u226555%), while lower\u2011increase states often include Idaho, Maine, Iowa, North Dakota and Wyoming (often \u226435%) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\">Bankrate<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thezebra.com\/resources\/research\/state-of-auto-insurance-2025\/\">The Zebra<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naic.org\/documents\/consumer_state_reg_brief.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"achor-toggles\">heavily regulated<\/a> by state laws, which determine how much providers can charge people for insurance. State rules can also define surcharge schedules\u2014for example, North Carolina\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncdoi.gov\">Safe Driver Incentive Plan<\/a> applies point\u2011based surcharges for at\u2011fault crashes meeting set thresholds, generally for three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table table table-striped table-bordered table--bordered-top\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>State<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Average annual premium with clean driving history*<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Average annual premium with one at-fault accident*<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Difference<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Alabama<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Alaska<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224830%\u201340%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Arizona<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Arkansas<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224835%\u201345%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>California<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224860%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Colorado<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Connecticut<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224835%\u201345%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Delaware<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224835%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Florida<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224860%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Georgia<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224850%\u201360%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hawaii<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224835%\u201345%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Idaho<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224830%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Illinois<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Indiana<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Iowa<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224830%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kansas<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kentucky<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224845%\u201355%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Louisiana<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224850%\u201360%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Maine<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224830%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Maryland<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224835%\u201345%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Massachusetts<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224850%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Michigan<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224860%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Minnesota<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224835%\u201345%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mississippi<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Missouri<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Montana<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nebraska<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224835%\u201345%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nevada<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224860%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>New Hampshire<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224830%\u201340%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>New Jersey<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224850%\u201360%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>New Mexico<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224835%\u201345%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>New York<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224860%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>North Carolina<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>Defined by SDIP; often \u224830%\u201345% depending on severity<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>North Dakota<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224830%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ohio<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oklahoma<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224835%\u201345%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oregon<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pennsylvania<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224850%\u201355%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Rhode Island<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224845%\u201355%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>South Carolina<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>South Dakota<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224830%\u201340%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tennessee<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Texas<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Utah<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224845%\u201355%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Vermont<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224830%\u201335%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Virginia<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224835%\u201345%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Washington<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Washington, D.C.<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224835%\u201345%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>West Virginia<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Wisconsin<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201350%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Wyoming<\/td><td>Varies by insurer; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">2025 state averages<\/a><\/td><td>Varies; clean premium + surcharge<\/td><td>\u224830%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>*Full Coverage<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>2025 benchmarks and state ranges based on recent analyses; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">Bankrate (average costs)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\">Bankrate (post\u2011accident)<\/a>, plus <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thezebra.com\/resources\/research\/state-of-auto-insurance-2025\/\">The Zebra 2025<\/a> for comparative state patterns.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Much Will My Insurance Go Up After an Accident by Provider?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2011over\u2011year gains), amplifying the dollar impact of any surcharge (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/news.release\/cpi.nr0.htm\">BLS CPI<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/risk.lexisnexis.com\">LexisNexis<\/a>). State regulators approve carrier\u2011specific filings, so two insurers in the same state can show noticeably different changes in 2024\u20132025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table table table-striped table-bordered table--bordered-top\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Provider<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>No Accident*<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>1 Accident*<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Difference<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>State Farm<\/td><td>Varies by state; 2025 national full\u2011coverage avg \u2248 $2,543 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">Bankrate<\/a>)<\/td><td>Base premium + typical surcharge<\/td><td>\u224830%\u201350% (state and filing dependent)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Travelers<\/td><td>Varies by state; 2025 national full\u2011coverage avg \u2248 $2,543 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">Bankrate<\/a>)<\/td><td>Base premium + typical surcharge<\/td><td>\u224845%\u201365% (availability of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelers.com\/personal-insurance\/auto-insurance\/responsible-driver-plan\">Responsible Driver Plan<\/a> may mitigate)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>American Family<\/td><td>Varies by state; 2025 national full\u2011coverage avg \u2248 $2,543 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">Bankrate<\/a>)<\/td><td>Base premium + typical surcharge<\/td><td>\u224825%\u201345%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Erie<\/td><td>Varies by state; 2025 national full\u2011coverage avg \u2248 $2,543 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">Bankrate<\/a>)<\/td><td>Base premium + typical surcharge<\/td><td>\u224825%\u201340%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Progressive<\/td><td>Varies by state; 2025 national full\u2011coverage avg \u2248 $2,543 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">Bankrate<\/a>)<\/td><td>Base premium + typical surcharge<\/td><td>\u224840%\u201360% (tiered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.progressive.com\">accident forgiveness<\/a> can help)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>GEICO<\/td><td>Varies by state; 2025 national full\u2011coverage avg \u2248 $2,543 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">Bankrate<\/a>)<\/td><td>Base premium + typical surcharge<\/td><td>\u224835%\u201360% (forgiveness may be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geico.com\">earned or purchased<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nationwide<\/td><td>Varies by state; 2025 national full\u2011coverage avg \u2248 $2,543 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">Bankrate<\/a>)<\/td><td>Base premium + typical surcharge<\/td><td>\u224830%\u201350% (telematics like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationwide.com\/personal\/insurance\/auto\/discounts\/smartride\/\">SmartRide<\/a> may offset)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Farmers<\/td><td>Varies by state; 2025 national full\u2011coverage avg \u2248 $2,543 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">Bankrate<\/a>)<\/td><td>Base premium + typical surcharge<\/td><td>\u224835%\u201360%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Amica<\/td><td>Varies by state; 2025 national full\u2011coverage avg \u2248 $2,543 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/average-cost-of-car-insurance\/\">Bankrate<\/a>)<\/td><td>Base premium + typical surcharge<\/td><td>\u224830%\u201345%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>*Full Coverage<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Provider impacts in 2024\u20132025 vary by state filings and insurer mix. For market context, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/risk.lexisnexis.com\">LexisNexis U.S. Auto Insurance Trends Report<\/a> and the BLS <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/news.release\/cpi.nr0.htm\">CPI<\/a> release; base-rate differences by insurer and state drive wide dispersion.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What If the Accident Wasn\u2019t Your Fault?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you weren\u2019t at fault, a claim can still affect your price in some cases because insurers may remove a claims\u2011free discount or re\u2011tier your risk; true \u201cpost\u2011accident\u201d discounts are uncommon (<a href=\"https:\/\/content.naic.org\/cipr-topics\/usage-based-insurance\">NAIC on usage\u2011based insurance<\/a>). State rules differ: some programs (e.g., North Carolina\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncdoi.gov\">SDIP<\/a>) tie surcharges to at\u2011fault crashes that exceed defined thresholds, and not-at-fault incidents typically don\u2019t trigger those surcharges. Always review your policy and your state\u2019s rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, many providers offer \u201caccident forgiveness\u201d that can prevent a surcharge on your first at\u2011fault crash, either as an earned benefit or optional add\u2011on. Availability and eligibility vary by state and insurer\u2014see examples from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.progressive.com\">Progressive<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geico.com\">GEICO<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelers.com\/personal-insurance\/auto-insurance\/responsible-driver-plan\">Travelers\u2019 Responsible Driver Plan<\/a>. Ask whether forgiveness is per policy or per driver, if a clean-history period is required, and what exclusions apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Claims Increase Your Rates the Most?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s three\u2011year SDIP), which tie higher surcharges to more severe, at\u2011fault crashes (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncdoi.gov\">learn more<\/a>). Below are scenarios that typically carry the largest impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Drunk driving (DUI\/DWI)<\/strong> \u2014 Alcohol\u2011related crashes carry severe legal and insurance consequences. Many insurers will nonrenew or heavily surcharge; DUI\u2011related entries also remain much longer on DMV records in many states.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>At\u2011fault accident with injuries or high paid loss<\/strong> \u2014 Claims involving bodily injury or large property\u2011damage payouts typically trigger higher surcharge tiers where state\/insurer schedules apply.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>At\u2011fault accident that totals a car<\/strong> \u2014 Total losses often indicate high severity; many rating plans treat these as surchargeable events for multiple years.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Multiple recent claims<\/strong> \u2014 More than one chargeable accident within a look\u2011back window commonly results in stacked surcharges or placement into a higher\u2011risk tier.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Get a Lower Rate After an Accident<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After an accident, you\u2019ll probably experience a rate increase in your car insurance. But there are evidence\u2011based ways to mitigate costs. In many states, accident surcharges persist about 3\u20135 years, so actions that add offsets or discounts can meaningfully reduce the net effect while you wait for the surcharge to expire (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iii.org\/article\/how-long-will-a-speeding-ticket-or-accident-affect-my-car-insurance\">Insurance Information Institute<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Step 1: Adjust your coverages<\/strong> \u2014 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.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Step 2: Find a different provider<\/strong> \u2014 Some insurers price more competitively for drivers with recent accidents. If your current insurance is too expensive after a car accident, getting <a class=\"achor-toggles\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/car\/best\/\">quotes from different providers<\/a> can uncover lower rates, especially as carriers respond differently to recent loss trends (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thezebra.com\/resources\/research\/state-of-auto-insurance-2025\/\">The Zebra 2025<\/a>).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Step 3: Check for discounts<\/strong> \u2014 While true post\u2011accident discounts are rare, you can still stack savings: enroll in telematics for behavior\/mileage\u2011based discounts (e.g., up to 40% potential with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationwide.com\/personal\/insurance\/auto\/discounts\/smartride\/\">Nationwide SmartRide<\/a> or up to 30% with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statefarm.com\/insurance\/auto\/discounts\/drive-safe-save\">State Farm Drive Safe &amp; Save<\/a>), complete an approved defensive\u2011driving course (e.g., <a href=\"https:\/\/dmv.ny.gov\/tickets\/point-insurance-reduction-program\">New York PIRP<\/a> provides a 10% base\u2011rate reduction for three years), and pursue standard bundles (multi\u2011car, home\/auto). Regulators broadly support usage\u2011based programs with consumer protections (<a href=\"https:\/\/content.naic.org\/cipr-topics\/usage-based-insurance\">NAIC<\/a>).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Step 4: Improve your credit<\/strong> \u2014 In most states, credit\u2011based 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 (<a href=\"https:\/\/content.naic.org\/cipr-topics\/credit-based-insurance-scores\">NAIC<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insurance.ca.gov\/01-consumers\/105-type\/95-guides\/03-auto\/auto-policy\/automobile-rating-factors.cfm\">California DOI<\/a>).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Record?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>How long an accident stays on your driving record depends on the state and severity. Many states display standard (non\u2011DUI) accidents for about 3\u20135 years, while DUI\u2011related entries can remain much longer. Examples: California generally shows most accidents for 3 years and keeps alcohol\u2011related matters for 10 years (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&#038;sectionNum=1808.\">Cal. Vehicle Code \u00a71808<\/a>); New York typically shows accident involvement for 4 years (<a href=\"https:\/\/dmv.ny.gov\/records\/what-is-on-my-driving-record\">NY DMV<\/a>); Washington lists collisions for 5 years (<a href=\"https:\/\/dol.wa.gov\">WA DOL<\/a>). For insurance pricing, some states apply separate windows for \u201csurchargeable events\u201d (for example, Massachusetts treats at\u2011fault crashes as affecting insurance for 6 years) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/info-details\/surchargeable-events\">Massachusetts RMV\/Merit Rating Board<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs about Car Insurance After an Accident<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"block_5ff35db66eff5\" class=\"block b-accordion\" data-js=\"b-accordion\">\n    <div class=\"b-accordion__container\">\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__header\">\n            <a href=\"#\" class=\"b-accordion__title\" data-tag='cta' data-tag-element-type='LINK' data-tag-location='ACCORDION' data-tag-outcome='INTERNALLINK' ><h3 class=\"b-accordion__title--h3\">What are some alternative car insurance options for high-risk drivers?<\/h3><\/a>\n            <span class=\"b-accordion__toggle chevron-arrow-down\"><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__content\" style=\"display: none;\">\n            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many car insurance providers feature policies for higher-risk drivers, and pricing varies widely by state and carrier. If you have recent accidents or violations, compare multiple quotes, consider regional nonstandard carriers, and look at telematics or pay-per-mile programs that can reward safer, lower-mileage driving even after a claim. Eligibility and down payments differ by insurer and state; shop broadly and review terms carefully.<\/span><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"block_5ff35dcd6eff6\" class=\"block b-accordion\" data-js=\"b-accordion\">\n    <div class=\"b-accordion__container\">\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__header\">\n            <a href=\"#\" class=\"b-accordion__title\" data-tag='cta' data-tag-element-type='LINK' data-tag-location='ACCORDION' data-tag-outcome='INTERNALLINK' ><h3 class=\"b-accordion__title--h3\">Should I file a claim with my insurance company if my rate will increase?<\/h3><\/a>\n            <span class=\"b-accordion__toggle chevron-arrow-down\"><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__content\" style=\"display: none;\">\n            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iii.org\/article\/if-i-file-claim-will-my-premium-go\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insurance Information Institute<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you should file a claim when a loss is covered or when injuries are involved. Not reporting a claim can jeopardize coverage and recovery of damages. Even if a surcharge applies, timely reporting preserves your rights under the policy and allows your insurer to investigate liability and subrogation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"block_5ff35de16eff7\" class=\"block b-accordion\" data-js=\"b-accordion\">\n    <div class=\"b-accordion__container\">\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__header\">\n            <a href=\"#\" class=\"b-accordion__title\" data-tag='cta' data-tag-element-type='LINK' data-tag-location='ACCORDION' data-tag-outcome='INTERNALLINK' ><h3 class=\"b-accordion__title--h3\">When does car insurance go down after an accident?<\/h3><\/a>\n            <span class=\"b-accordion__toggle chevron-arrow-down\"><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__content\" style=\"display: none;\">\n            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many insurers surcharge accidents for about 3\u20135 years, but exact timing and amounts vary by state and carrier. Review your policy\u2019s surcharge rules and any state programs. For example, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iii.org\/article\/how-long-will-a-speeding-ticket-or-accident-affect-my-car-insurance\">Insurance Information Institute<\/a> notes typical 3\u20135 year windows, and North Carolina\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncdoi.gov\/consumers\/auto-insurance\/safe-driver-incentive-plan-sdip\">SDIP<\/a> applies defined surcharges\u2014generally for three years\u2014based on at-fault severity thresholds.<\/span><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"block_5ff35df36eff8\" class=\"block b-accordion\" data-js=\"b-accordion\">\n    <div class=\"b-accordion__container\">\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__header\">\n            <a href=\"#\" class=\"b-accordion__title\" data-tag='cta' data-tag-element-type='LINK' data-tag-location='ACCORDION' data-tag-outcome='INTERNALLINK' ><h3 class=\"b-accordion__title--h3\">What are the cheapest states for car insurance after a car crash?<\/h3><\/a>\n            <span class=\"b-accordion__toggle chevron-arrow-down\"><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__content\" style=\"display: none;\">\n            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recent 2024\u20132025 analyses show lower average post\u2011accident increases most often in states like Idaho, Maine, Iowa, North Dakota and Wyoming (typically \u226435%), while higher increases frequently appear in California, Michigan, New York, Florida and Nevada (often \u226555%). Exact rankings and percentages vary by methodology and carrier mix\u2014check current state tables from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/insurance\/car\/insurance-rates-after-accident\/\">Bankrate<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thezebra.com\/resources\/research\/state-of-auto-insurance-2025\/\">The Zebra 2025<\/a> before you compare.<\/span><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Getting into a car accident usually increases your insurance premium. Recent 2024\u20132025 analyses show that one at-fault crash commonly raises a full-coverage policy by about 40%\u201350% 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":345,"featured_media":358932,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1266],"tags":[],"post_author":[6093],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How Does a Car Accident Affect Your Car Insurance? - Reviews.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Unfortunately, car accidents are a common occurrence and even worse your car insurance goes up after they occur. Here&#039;s everything you need to know.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/car\/how-car-accident-affect-insurance\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Does a Car Accident Affect Your Car Insurance? - Reviews.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Unfortunately, car accidents are a common occurrence and even worse your car insurance goes up after they occur. Here&#039;s everything you need to know.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/car\/how-car-accident-affect-insurance\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Reviews.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Reviewscom\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-11-10T23:27:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/GettyImages-1282315107.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"958\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Reviews Staff\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Reviews\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Reviews\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Reviews Staff\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/car\/how-car-accident-affect-insurance\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How Does a Car Accident Affect Your Car Insurance?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/\",\"name\":\"Reviews.com\",\"description\":\"Your Guide to the Best Services\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How Does a Car Accident Affect Your Car Insurance? - Reviews.com","description":"Unfortunately, car accidents are a common occurrence and even worse your car insurance goes up after they occur. Here's everything you need to know.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/car\/how-car-accident-affect-insurance\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How Does a Car Accident Affect Your Car Insurance? - Reviews.com","og_description":"Unfortunately, car accidents are a common occurrence and even worse your car insurance goes up after they occur. Here's everything you need to know.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/car\/how-car-accident-affect-insurance\/","og_site_name":"Reviews.com","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Reviewscom\/","article_published_time":"2025-11-10T23:27:04+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1440,"height":958,"url":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/GettyImages-1282315107.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Reviews Staff","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@Reviews","twitter_site":"@Reviews","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Reviews Staff","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/car\/how-car-accident-affect-insurance\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Does a Car Accident Affect Your Car Insurance?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/","name":"Reviews.com","description":"Your Guide to the Best Services","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320750"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/345"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=320750"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320750\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/358932"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=320750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=320750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=320750"},{"taxonomy":"post_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_author?post=320750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}