By Ben LuthiHow Much Will My Insurance Go up After an Accident?
Quick Answer
Your insurance company may raise your rate after an accident, even if you weren't at fault. The average increase is $367, according to Experian data.
The actual impact will vary depending on your insurer's policies, the cost of the damage and other factors.
Getting in an accident can cause your insurance premiums to go up by an average of $367, according to Experian data in June 2025. The likelihood of an increase and the amount will ultimately depend on the circumstances of the accident, whether your insurer provides accident forgiveness and other factors.
If you were recently in an accident, here's what to know about how it may affect your car insurance premiums.
How Much Will My Insurance Go up After an Accident?
Insurance companies keep track of a lot of data on driver behavior to help them remain profitable. If you cause an accident, for instance, the data indicates that you're more likely to file another claim in the future compared to someone with a clean record.
As a result, you can expect your carrier to raise your policy premiums.
The average increase for one incident is $367, according to Experian data, which is a 17% increase over having a clean record. Here's a look at how multiple incidents (accidents and claims) may result in further rate hikes:
| Driving Record | Annual Cost | Change (vs. Clean Record) |
|---|---|---|
| Clean | $2,167 | N/A |
| 1 incident | $2,534 | +17% |
| 2 incidents | $3,187 | +47% |
Source: Experian data as of June 2025
The actual impact on your insurance premium will vary depending on the circumstances of the accident, your insurance company, where you live, your overall driving record and other factors.
For example, here's how the average rate hike can vary by insurance provider:
| Carrier Name | Clean Record Avg. Annual Premium | 1 Incident Avg. Annual Premium | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol West | $2,451 | $2,776 | +13% |
| Progressive | $1,752 | $1,941 | +11% |
| Root | $3,091 | $3,336 | +8% |
| Kemper Auto | $2,132 | $2,345 | +10% |
| National General | $1,814 | $1,954 | +8% |
Source: Experian data as of June 2025
Average Cost of an Accident by State
Each state sets its own laws for car insurance, and some may limit when insurers can raise rates, particularly for not-at-fault drivers and small-dollar claims.
Additionally, insurance rates may vary by state for other reasons, such as differences in accident and vandalism rates, repair costs and more.
For more context, here's a look at the average premium increase for a handful of states after one incident:
| State | Clean Avg. Annual Premium | 1 Incident Avg. Annual Premium | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $1,930 | $2,211 | +15% |
| Florida | $2,153 | $2,620 | +22% |
| Illinois | $1,699 | $1,947 | +15% |
| Massachusetts | $2,497 | $2,919 | +17% |
| Michigan | $2,299 | $2,569 | +12% |
| New Jersey | $2,625 | $2,762 | +5% |
| New York | $2,729 | $2,787 | +2% |
| Texas | $2,089 | $2,561 | +23% |
| Virginia | $2,142 | $2,208 | +3% |
| Washington | $2,046 | $2,414 | +18% |
Experian data as of June 2025
How Long Accidents Stay on Your Record
The timeline for how long an accident stays on your record can vary based on where you live, the severity of the accident, who was at fault and your overall driving record. In general, though, you can expect an accident to remain on your driving record for three to five years following the incident.
How At-Fault vs. No-Fault Accidents Affect Your Insurance Rate
If you're at fault in an accident, you can almost always expect to see your insurance rates climb as a result. That said, some states may restrict insurance companies from raising rates if the damages are below a set dollar threshold.
Even if you weren't at fault in the accident, insurer data shows that some drivers are more likely to get in not-at-fault accidents than others. As a result, you may still see your premium rise if your state allows it.
Which Insurers Offer Accident Forgiveness?
Several insurance companies offer a feature called accident forgiveness. If you have it, your rate may not go up after your first accident as a policyholder. However, insurer policies can vary.
For example, some may require you to be accident-free for a set period of time, while others may allow you to buy the coverage.
Here are some major insurance carriers that offer accident forgiveness and what you need to know about it. Keep in mind that the benefit may not be available in all states.
Allstate
Allstate offers accident forgiveness as a paid add-on to your policy.
GEICO
You may qualify for the GEICO claim forgiveness program if you've been accident-free for five years or more. Alternatively, you can purchase claims forgiveness as an add-on to your policy.
Liberty Mutual
You can qualify for accident forgiveness with Liberty Mutual if you've been accident- and violation-free for five or more years, even if you were covered by a different insurer during that time.
The insurance company does not offer the benefit as a paid optional coverage.
Nationwide
Nationwide offers accident forgiveness as paid optional coverage with your policy.
Progressive
Progressive offers three types of accident forgiveness coverage:
- Small accident forgiveness: New customers get small accident forgiveness for damages up to $500.
- Large accident forgiveness: Customers who stay with the insurer for five years qualify for large accident forgiveness, which covers claims over $500.
- Additional accident forgiveness: You may also purchase additional accident forgiveness, which covers one eligible accident per policy period.
What to Do After You've Been in an Accident
If you've been in a car accident, here are some steps you can take to remain safe and protect yourself financially:
- Check for injuries. Check yourself and other passengers in your car. Start with visible injuries, then test for internal injuries by moving limbs and other body parts to see if you feel pain.
- Get to safety. If the vehicle is drivable, move it off to the side of the road. If it isn't, stay inside and wait for help.
- Call the police. A police officer can take down the information about what happened and help determine who's responsible for the accident.
- Take photos. If you're physically able to, take photos of the damage so you can share them with your insurance company.
- Exchange information. Provide your name, contact information, vehicle information and insurance details to the other driver and get theirs in return.
- Submit a claim. Once you've completed the process on the scene, reach out to your insurance company to file a claim. You may have the option to do it online, through your insurer's mobile app or over the phone.
The Bottom Line
An accident can have a lasting impact on your car insurance premiums, especially if you're found at fault. That said, your actual increase will depend on your driving history, location and insurer policies.
Fortunately, options like accident forgiveness and smart shopping can help you minimize long-term costs. With Experian, you can compare auto insurance quotes from more than 30 carriers, making it easy to find the best rate based on your unique profile.
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About the author
Ben Luthi
Ben Luthi has worked in financial planning, banking and auto finance, and writes about all aspects of money. His work has appeared in Time, Success, USA Today, Credit Karma, NerdWallet, Wirecutter and more.
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