Updated: June 8, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Car insurance goes up an average of 49% after an at-fault accident. This results in an average monthly increase of about $88 after an accident.
Your choice of insurer shapes how much your rate climbs after an accident. In our analysis, State Farm raised rates 24.3% after an at-fault accident, while Progressive raised them 58.1% for the same driver profile.
Shopping rates at your next renewal is the fastest way to lower your premium after an accident. Switching insurers can save $30 to $80 per month depending on your driving record and the insurer you choose.
Car insurance increases an average of 49%, or about $88 per month, after an at-fault accident with $1,000 to $1,999 in property damage. That adds up to $1,056 per year. State Farm had the smallest surcharge in MoneyGeek's analysis, raising rates by just 24.3%.
Shop rates within 30 days of your renewal. Drivers who compare quotes after their first surcharge cycle can find an insurer that weighs the accident less heavily.
Your insurer, fault determination and accident severity are all factors that shape how much your rate increases.
Insurer choice: Insurance companies weigh cost factors differently. The national average rate increase after an at-fault accident is 48.8%, but individual insurers vary widely. State Farm raises rates 24.3%, while GEICO raises them 56.9% for the same driver profile.
At-fault vs. not-at-fault: At-fault accidents trigger a surcharge at most insurers. Not-at-fault accidents don't automatically protect you from a rate increase — your insurer and claims history both factor into whether your premium goes up. Even if you're not at fault, an insurer might raise your rates due to an increased perception of risk, especially if you have a history of multiple claims.
Accident severity: The size of the claim affects how much your rate goes up. Property damage over $2,000 triggers a higher surcharge tier than the $1,000 to $1,999 range, so two drivers with at-fault accidents at the same insurer may see different increases depending on total damage costs.
Surcharge duration: Most insurers apply the surcharge for three to five years from the accident date.
Accident forgiveness: Drivers with accident forgiveness avoid any rate increase for a first at-fault accident. You must already have this coverage before the accident.
Prior record: A second at-fault accident within three years compounds your surcharge on top of the first, pushing rates well above the 48.8% national average. Some insurers may also decline to renew your policy, leaving you to shop for coverage in a higher-risk pool.
The national average rate increase after an at-fault accident is 48.8%, but your actual increase depends most on which insurer you're with. Companies apply different at-fault surcharges. State Farm raises rates 24.3% for the same driver profile, less than half the national average., while Progressive raises them 58.1% on average. Some insurers also offer accident forgiveness, which can keep your rate flat after a first at-fault accident. Monthly cost increases among the five insurers below range from $42 at State Farm to $117 at Allstate. Your driving record and location also affect the final number.
State Farm | $172 | $214 | $42 | 24.3% |
AAA | $172 | $260 | $88 | 51.5% |
Allstate | $224 | $341 | $117 | 52.5% |
GEICO | $141 | $221 | $80 | 56.9% |
Progressive | $193 | $305 | $112 | 58.1% |
Drivers who act within the first policy cycle after an accident can offset $30 to $80 of the monthly increase.
Understanding the policy renewal process is key to managing your rates effectively. Insurers reprice at renewal, not mid-term. Shopping at renewal after the first surcharge cycle lets you find an insurer that weighs the accident less heavily. Use a comparison tool or request quotes directly from State Farm, GEICO and Progressive to see the range.
Accident forgiveness (where available) prevents the first at-fault accident from raising your rate. GEICO, Progressive and Allstate offer it. California prohibits accident forgiveness as a product.
A defensive driving course costs $25 to $75 and can earn a 5% to 10% discount in states that allow it. In some states, completing one also reduces insurance points, which lowers how much an accident raises your rate. Check with your insurer and your state's DMV on whether you qualify and what discount applies.
Moving from a $500 to a $1,000 deductible on a vehicle worth $8,000 to $12,000 can offset $15 to $25 per month of the surcharge. Only consider this if you can self-fund the higher deductible out of pocket.
Most insurer look-back windows are three years; some states require five. Set a reminder to re-shop rates immediately when the accident leaves the look-back window.
State laws directly affect how long an accident surcharge lasts and how much insurers can charge. Michigan's no-fault system means at-fault surcharges interact with personal injury protection (PIP) requirements differently than in standard tort states. North Carolina uses a points-based system with specific surcharge percentages per violation type. New York's three-year look-back period and Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP) assign specific points for at-fault accidents.
Not-at-fault accidents don't trigger a surcharge at all insurers, but some do raise rates for not-at-fault claims. At-fault accidents trigger a surcharge at virtually every insurer. The increase averages 49% at a full coverage baseline, but variesby insurer. The surcharge lasts three to five years at most insurers. Accident forgiveness prevents any increase, but it must be added before the accident occurs.
Rates reset when the accident exits your insurer's look-back window: three years at most major insurers, up to five years at some. Re-shopping rates immediately when it drops off is the most effective way to recapture the pre-accident premium.
No, these are two separate timelines. Your state DMV record may hold an accident for three to 10 years. Your insurance rate is determined by your insurer's own look-back window, typically three to five years, which runs independently from your DMV record.
Different insurers weigh the same accident differently, and switching to one with a shorter look-back period or lower surcharge rate can reduce your monthly premium. The best window to switch is at renewal, when the surcharge first appears on your bill. As you compare quotes, check what percentage each insurer adds and how long it stays on your policy. If you're ready to switch, our guide to switching car insurance after an accident walks through the timing and steps.
Yes. Some states cap surcharge percentages or require insurers to file their surcharge schedules with the state insurance department. California and North Carolina have specific point-based systems that constrain rate increases. Check your state's insurance department website for the published surcharge schedule.
MoneyGeek analyzed car insurance rates from five major insurers to calculate average premiums before and after an at-fault accident. Rates are based on a sample profile: a 40-year-old male driver with a clean record, good credit and full coverage on a 2021 Toyota Camry. Premiums reflect a single at-fault accident with $1,000 to $1,999 in property damage.
To learn more about how we calculate average rates, see our auto insurance methodology.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he produces original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.
Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.
Mark holds a B.A. from Boston College and an M.A. in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University. He started his career in financial risk management at State Street and is also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.
