How Much Does Car Insurance Go Up After an At-Fault Accident?

fact checked icon

Updated: August 15, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways: Car Insurance Accident Rate Increases
blueCheck icon

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.

blueCheck icon

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.

blueCheck icon

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 Rates Before and After an At-Fault Accident

The national average rate increase after an at-fault accident is 48.8% - that adds up to $1,056 per year, but your actual increase depends most on which insurer you're with. State Farm had the smallest rate increase after an at-fault accident in MoneyGeek's analysis, raising rates by just 24.3%, less than half the national average, while Progressive raised rates by 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.

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.

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%

mglogo icon
INSURERS CAN'T RAISE YOUR RATE MID POLICY

Most insurers won't raise your rate in the middle of a policy period. The increase will show up at your next renewal, so if your bill hasn't changed yet, that doesn't mean you've escaped it.

What Affects Your Rate Increase After an Accident?

Your current insurer controls your rate increase more than any other factor, with premiums raising an average of 24.3% from State Farm to GEICO’s 56.9% rate hike. The second biggest effect is that the amount and duration you pay higher premiums is determined by the severity of property damage, whether accident forgiveness was already on your policy, whether this is your first or a repeat at-fault accident, your state's rules on rate increases and how long the accident is legally allowed to stay on your insurance record - not the state DMV driving record.

  • carAccident icon

    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.

  • scale icon

    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.

  • clock icon

    Surcharge duration

    Most insurers increase car insurance premiums for 3 to 5 years after the accident date, depending on state laws and the amount of property damage.

  • umbrella icon

    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.

  • checkList icon

    A second accident

    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.

How to Lower Your Car Insurance After an Accident

Drivers who act within the first policy cycle after an accident can offset $30 to $80 of the monthly increase.

  1. 1
    Shop and Compare Rates at Your Next Renewal

    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.

  2. 2
    Ask About Accident Forgiveness Before Your Next Renewal

    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.

  3. 3
    Take a State-Approved Defensive Driving Course

    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.

  4. 4
    Adjust Your Deductible (If Your Vehicle Value Supports It)

    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.

  5. 5
    Set a Calendar Reminder for When the Accident Drops Off

    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.

Compare Insurance Rates

Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

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, Licensed P&C Insurance Expert, MoneyGeek

Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident expert in insurance and economics. He has spent nearly a decade covering the insurance market at LendingTree and MoneyGeek. There, he has analyzed hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR. He draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnerships affect his recommendations.

Mark studied at Boston College and later earned a master's in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University. He worked in financial risk management at State Street before joining MoneyGeek. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

Read Full Bio »