How much does insurance go up after an accident?

How much does car insurance increase after an accident?

Car insurance increases by an average of $1,551 a year nationwide, based on a full coverage policy with 100/300/100 liability limits ($100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for property damage) and $500 deductibles.

The following five states top the list for the most expensive average full coverage rates following an accident claim. Louisiana tops the list.

States with highest auto insurance premiums: Clean record vs. after accident
State	Average rate with a clean record	Rate after an accident	$ difference	% difference
Louisiana	$2,883	$4,279	$1,396	48%
California	$2,416	$4,244	$1,828	76%
Florida	$2,694	$3,952	$1,258	47%
Michigan	$2,352	$3,673	$1,321	56%
Kentucky	$2,228	$3,597	$1,369	61%

Read our methodology

These are the five states with the lowest average rates after an accident. Maine has the cheapest rates.

States with lowest auto insurance premiums: Clean record vs. after accident
State	Average rate	Rate after an accident	$ difference	% difference
Maine	$1,175	$1,732	$557	47%
Vermont	$1,319	$1,866	$547	41%
New Hampshire	$1,265	$1,886	$621	49%
Hawaii	$1,517	$2,116	$599	39%
Idaho	$1,428	$2,214	$786	55%

Read our methodology

The table below shows the average amount drivers in each state pay after an accident claim. Search for your state to see the average increase.

Average rates by state after an accident
State	Average rate with a clean record	Rate after an accident	$ Difference	% Difference
Alaska	$1,676	$2,353	$677	40%
Alabama	$1,860	$2,880	$1,020	55%
Arkansas	$1,957	$3,024	$1,067	55%
Arizona	$1,812	$2,814	$1,002	55%
California	$2,416	$4,244	$1,828	76%
Colorado	$2,337	$3,458	$1,121	48%
Connecticut	$1,725	$2,749	$1,024	59%
Washington, D.C.	$2,157	$3,085	$928	43%
Delaware	$2,063	$3,072	$1,009	49%
Florida	$2,694	$3,952	$1,258	47%
Georgia	$1,970	$3,049	$1,079	55%
Hawaii	$1,517	$2,116	$599	39%
Iowa	$1,630	$2,366	$736	45%
Idaho	$1,428	$2,214	$786	55%
Illinois	$1,532	$2,354	$822	54%
Indiana	$1,515	$2,508	$993	66%
Kansas	$1,900	$2,982	$1,082	57%
Kentucky	$2,228	$3,597	$1,369	61%
Louisiana	$2,883	$4,279	$1,396	48%
Massachusetts	$1,726	$2,678	$952	55%
Maryland	$1,746	$2,791	$1,045	60%
Maine	$1,175	$1,732	$557	47%
Michigan	$2,352	$3,673	$1,321	56%
Minnesota	$1,911	$2,931	$1,020	53%
Missouri	$1,982	$2,887	$905	46%
Mississippi	$2,008	$3,430	$1,422	71%
Montana	$2,193	$3,085	$892	41%
North Carolina	$1,741	$2,932	$1,191	68%
North Dakota	$1,665	$2,272	$607	36%
Nebraska	$1,902	$3,099	$1,197	63%
New Hampshire	$1,265	$1,886	$621	49%
New Jersey	$1,902	$3,442	$1,540	81%
New Mexico	$2,049	$2,950	$901	44%
Nevada	$2,060	$3,245	$1,185	58%
New York	$1,870	$2,393	$523	28%
Ohio	$1,417	$2,385	$968	68%
Oklahoma	$2,138	$3,170	$1,032	48%
Oregon	$1,678	$2,670	$992	59%
Pennsylvania	$1,872	$2,862	$990	53%
Rhode Island	$2,061	$2,376	$315	15%
South Carolina	$2,009	$2,890	$881	44%
South Dakota	$2,280	$3,189	$909	40%
Tennessee	$1,677	$2,623	$946	56%
Texas	$2,043	$3,475	$1,432	70%
Utah	$1,825	$2,891	$1,066	58%
Virginia	$1,469	$2,309	$840	57%
Vermont	$1,319	$1,866	$547	41%
Washington	$1,608	$2,475	$867	54%
Wisconsin	$1,664	$2,535	$871	52%
West Virginia	$2,005	$2,978	$973	49%
Wyoming	$1,758	$2,454	$696	40%

Read our methodology

Car insurance rates after multiple accidents

If you have a second accident while the previous accident is still affecting your insurance rates (usually within three years), your rates will increase even more. The average cost of insurance nationwide with two at-fault accidents is $4,217, an increase of 122% from a clean record. Here’s a look at how insurance rates increase with multiple accidents in each state.

Car insurance rates after multiple accidents by state
State	Average rate with a clean record	Average rate after multiple accidents	% Difference
Alaska	$1,676	$3,110	86%
Alabama	$1,860	$3,932	111%
Arkansas	$1,957	$4,121	111%
Arizona	$1,812	$3,778	108%
California	$2,416	$6,335	162%
Colorado	$2,337	$4,608	97%
Connecticut	$1,725	$5,130	197%
Washington, D.C.	$2,157	$4,034	87%
Delaware	$2,063	$4,424	114%
Florida	$2,694	$5,047	87%
Georgia	$1,970	$4,236	115%
Hawaii	$1,517	$2,603	72%
Iowa	$1,630	$3,083	89%
Idaho	$1,428	$3,019	111%
Illinois	$1,532	$3,354	119%
Indiana	$1,515	$3,873	156%
Kansas	$1,900	$4,013	111%
Kentucky	$2,228	$4,774	114%
Louisiana	$2,883	$6,082	111%
Massachusetts	$1,726	$3,969	130%
Maryland	$1,746	$3,716	113%
Maine	$1,175	$2,589	120%
Michigan	$2,352	$6,621	182%
Minnesota	$1,911	$4,234	122%
Missouri	$1,982	$3,729	88%
Mississippi	$2,008	$4,730	136%
Montana	$2,193	$3,837	75%
North Carolina	$1,741	$3,528	103%
North Dakota	$1,665	$3,048	83%
Nebraska	$1,902	$4,405	132%
New Hampshire	$1,265	$2,586	104%
New Jersey	$1,902	$5,427	185%
New Mexico	$2,049	$3,826	87%
Nevada	$2,060	$4,442	116%
New York	$1,870	$3,337	78%
Ohio	$1,417	$3,563	151%
Oklahoma	$2,138	$4,061	90%
Oregon	$1,678	$3,596	114%
Pennsylvania	$1,872	$4,031	115%
Rhode Island	$2,061	$2,149	4%
South Carolina	$2,009	$3,731	86%
South Dakota	$2,280	$4,158	82%
Tennessee	$1,677	$3,550	112%
Texas	$2,043	$4,938	142%
Utah	$1,825	$4,376	140%
Virginia	$1,469	$3,232	120%
Vermont	$1,319	$2,756	109%
Washington	$1,608	$3,944	145%
Wisconsin	$1,664	$3,592	116%
West Virginia	$2,005	$4,129	106%
Wyoming	$1,758	$3,221	83%

Read our methodology

How long does an accident affect your insurance?

The average length of time is three years, but it may be as long as five years. The time period varies by state. This time period doesn’t start when the accident happens, but when the insurance company first adds it to your policy. That means that it will start at your first renewal after the accident and continue until the three to five years are over.

How much does insurance increase after an accident by company?

The cheapest car insurance company before you have an accident may not be the cheapest after you file a claim.

USAA has the cheapest average rates both before and after an accident, but it is only available to military families. Among carriers open to all drivers, Nationwide’s rates are the lowest before an accident, but State Farm's are the lowest after an accident, with an average increase of only 23%. GEICO has the largest average increase at 82%.

One at-fault accident: Rate increase by company
Company	Average premium with a clean record	Average premium with one at-fault accident	% difference
USAA*	$1,381	$2,091	51%
State Farm	$1,984	$2,438	23%
Travelers	$1,606	$2,509	56%
Nationwide	$1,548	$2,564	66%
Progressive	$1,998	$3,116	56%
GEICO	$1,763	$3,207	82%
Farmers	$2,387	$3,992	67%
Allstate	$2,509	$4,149	65%

Read our methodology

*USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families

How much does insurance increase after a minor accident?

Insurance increases by an average of 60% after a single accident, regardless of the severity, although some carriers may adjust the increase based on how much is paid out on the claim. If you are at fault, you will be surcharged regardless of how minor or serious the accident was. However, each carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims. determines how it surcharges for accidents and what is considered minor.

How much will insurance go up after a totaled car claim?

If you are at fault, the average increase after a total loss is 60%. Some companies may charge more after a serious accident than after a minor one, but the threshold for considering an accident minor is usually low, around $2,000. The amount of the claim is more likely to affect the payout.

In some cases, the insurance company may pay out more in an accident where the car wasn’t totaled. The amount it takes to total an older vehicle, for example, could be the same as the cost of moderate repairs to a new, high-end vehicle.

How to avoid an insurance increase after an accident

The best way to avoid an insurance rate increase after an accident is to avoid filing a claim and pay for damages yourself. If another vehicle is involved, the accident is serious or there are injuries, this may not be an option.

Consider planning ahead and adding accident forgiveness to your policy when you purchase your coverage. There may be an additional charge for this coverage; some companies offer it free to policyholders with a clean record for a certain period, usually three to five years.

Accident forgiveness doesn’t apply to all accidents; it usually only applies to minor accidents and generally only applies to the first accident.

Methodology

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

Unless otherwise indicated, averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Additional rate data is drawn based on:

One at-fault accident
An 18-year-old driver

Learn more about our data and methodology.

FAQ: Insurance after an accident

Do insurance rates go up after a no-fault accident?

Yes, if you are at fault, your insurance rates will go up. In a no-fault state, your insurance company pays for your injuries regardless of fault, but fault is still determined, and the at-fault driver will still be surcharged for the accident on renewal. Your insurance company will pay for property damage to others when you are at fault.

How much does insurance go up after an accident for a teenager?

An 18-year-old driver will pay $3,216 more per year on average after one accident. The rate increase will vary by location, carrier and any other violations on the driver's record.

Does a car accident affect your credit score?

No. The only way a car accident could affect your credit is if there is a legal judgment against you in court or other bills related to the accident that you fail to pay.

Does a single-car accident raise your insurance?

Yes. Even if no other vehicles are involved, a car accident claim will likely raise your rates. However, if you have a minor accident with no other cars involved and no damage or injuries to others, you may be able to avoid a rate increase by repairing your vehicle out of pocket.