How long does an accident affect your auto insurance rate? (2024)
Curious how long an accident affects your auto insurance rates? States have different rules regarding how long an insurance claim will stay on your record, but typically the time period is three to five years. Full coverage insurance rates increase to an average of $173/mo for just one accident.
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Justin Wright
Licensed Insurance Agent
Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 21, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 21, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Wondering how long does an accident affect your auto insurance rate? While an at-fault accident can trigger an increase in your car insurance rates, the change isn’t permanent. Typically, drivers can expect rates to be impacted for the next three to five years.
However, how long an accident stays on your record isn’t always clear because it depends on several factors, including the severity of the accident, who is at fault, and the state you live in. We cover all the factors that go into your rates and more.
If you have an accident and higher auto insurance rates, you can enter your ZIP in our free quote tool to find the cheapest rates today.
- An accident can negatively impact your car insurance rates for three to five years
- The severity of the accident affects how long it stays on your driving record
- States have different rules when it comes to how an accident is on record
How Long Accidents Affect Car Insurance Rates
How are car insurance rates affected after an accident? Typically, after an at-fault accident, car insurance rates are going up even if you shop at the top companies with cheap auto insurance after an accident. How far back does insurance check for accidents?
An auto accident can continue to impact your insurance rates for the next three to five years, but this depends on the state and auto insurance company. Luckily, you can expect a decrease once the accident falls off your record.
Take a look at the table below to see the average rates by driving record compared to a clean driving record at popular companies.
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record
| Insurance Company | One Accident | One DUI | One Ticket | Clean Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $225 | $270 | $188 | $160 |
| American Family | $176 | $194 | $136 | $117 |
| Auto-Owners | $127 | $130 | $105 | $87 |
| Farmers | $198 | $193 | $173 | $139 |
| Geico | $132 | $216 | $106 | $80 |
| Liberty Mutual | $234 | $313 | $212 | $174 |
| Mercury | $114 | $126 | $95 | $77 |
| Nationwide | $161 | $237 | $137 | $115 |
| Progressive | $186 | $140 | $140 | $105 |
| State Farm | $102 | $140 | $96 | $86 |
| Travelers | $139 | $206 | $134 | $99 |
| USAA | $78 | $108 | $67 | $59 |
| U.S. Average | $173 | $209 | $147 | $119 |
Just because an accident or violation can stay on your record for years doesn’t always mean it will impact your rates. Insurance companies may only review your record up to the last five years. So, if you had an accident six years ago, it might not be factored into your insurance rates.
Read on for more details on how at-fault accidents affect auto insurance and what you can do to find more affordable coverage after an auto insurance accident.
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Accident Forgiveness and Auto Insurance Rates
Accident forgiveness is optional insurance coverage that protects drivers from rate increases following an at-fault accident. If you are involved in an accident and have accident forgiveness, you shouldn’t see a change in your insurance rates.
Here are a few of the best auto insurance companies for accident forgiveness.
- Allstate
- American Family
- State Farm
- Progressive
- Travelers
Depending on the insurance company, accident forgiveness must be purchased as an add-on or earned by drivers who continue to exhibit safe driving habits and avoid accidents for a certain number of years.
If you aren’t sure if you have accident forgiveness, contact your auto insurance company to confirm.
No-Fault Accident Auto Insurance Rates
Your state’s laws play an important role in whether or not an accident impacts your auto insurance rate. Depending on where you live, your rates cannot be increased if you are involved in an accident that you did not cause.
In states with cheap no-fault auto insurance, drivers often see an increase regardless because drivers file claims with their own car insurance company following an accident. Additionally, drivers in certain states may see a surcharge upon renewal of their policy.
Depending on the state, instead of increasing rates, insurance companies can apply surcharges for up to three years.
Get in contact with your insurance company to determine exactly how insurance rates are handled following an accident and how far does insurance go back for accidents.
Why Your Driving Record is an Important Factor in Determining Rates
Every driver has a record that provides important details about their driving history, including accidents and violations, such as speeding tickets. Using this information, insurance companies can calculate your auto insurance rates.
Read More: How Auto Insurance Companies Check Driving Records
The length of time accidents and violations stay on your driving record varies. Depending on the state and severity, you can expect them to remain on your driving record for several years. However, some accidents and violations are permanent.
In Wisconsin, accidents and violations can remain on a driver’s record for up to five years. While in California, the driving record can include accidents and violations for up to ten years. You can confirm with your local DMV how long accidents and violations stay on a driver’s record.
Other Factors That Affect Auto Insurance Rates
Your driving record is one of many factors that affect your car insurance rates. Rating systems vary, but insurance companies use similar information to calculate rates.
Here are common factors used by insurance companies to calculate car insurance rates.
- Age and Gender: Drivers under age 25 aren’t as experienced, so they are likely to file a claim, meaning they have higher rates. Compared to male drivers, female drivers are safer, more responsible drivers, so they are less likely to file a claim.
- Location and Mileage: Drivers are likely to file a claim when there are high vandalism, theft, and accident rates in their state or neighborhood. Additionally, low-mileage drivers don’t get behind the wheel often, so they are less likely to file a claim.
- Type of Vehicle: Insuring certain vehicles is risky due to the cost of repairs, theft rate, and safety features.
- Type of Coverage: The cost of coverage varies, so drivers can expect rates to be higher if they purchase full coverage and less when they purchase liability coverage.
- Credit Score: Drivers with good or excellent credit are seen as safe drivers, so they are less likely to file a claim.
With an accident on your record, you still might see higher rates than what you were offered prior to the accident, but you still might be able to find something affordable.
How to Lower Auto Insurance Rates After an Accident
Here are some ways to find more affordable coverage if your auto insurance rates increase after an accident.
- Shop Around: Request quotes from different insurance companies to confirm which offers the most affordable coverage.
- Adjust Coverage: Remove coverage you don’t need and/or increase your car insurance deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage.
- Drive Less: If you don’t drive often, you can enroll in pay-per-mile car insurance or request a low-mileage discount.
- Improve Credit Score: Insurance companies view drivers with poor credit as risky, so raising your credit score can make a difference if your low credit score negatively impacts your rates.
- Improve Driving Habits: Improving your driving habits helps you avoid more accidents and violations in the future, showing your insurance company that you’re less of a risk to insure.
Drivers can also apply for discounts, such as UBI programs, where drivers can earn a discount for good driving habits, which are monitored using a telematic device or smartphone. Most companies also offer multi-policy discounts.
If you have multiple policies or are interested in purchasing more than car insurance, you can bundle coverage and save. Remember, once your accident no longer impacts your rates, your rates will likely decrease.
Getting Auto Insurance Quotes
You’ll need to provide personal information when comparing auto insurance quotes online, such as the number of drivers in your household and their ages. You’ll also need to provide the following information:
- Vehicle information, including make, model, year, and VIN
- Annual mileage, your location, and parking accommodations
- Type of coverage you want to purchase and deductibles, if applicable
- List of completed safe driving courses
- Any accidents or tickets within the last few years
To get accurate auto insurance quotes, it is best to be upfront about your recent accident. If this information isn’t provided, the quoted rates will likely increase once your driving record is reviewed.
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The Bottom Line on How Long an Accident Affects Auto Insurance
Now that you know how long a car accident stays on record, avoiding an accident is the easiest way to keep your car insurance rates low. Insurance companies will go back as far as five years when determining your rates, and you may be considered a high-risk driver for longer if you were involved in a DUI or severe auto accident.
Being a safe, responsible driver is key to finding affordable auto insurance. When you avoid accidents, moving violations, and traffic violations, you keep your driving record clean. As a result, you aren’t viewed as a risky driver by insurance companies, which gains you access to the cheapest rates possible.Dani Best Licensed Insurance Producer
State laws also determine how long an accident affects car insurance, so shop around with at least three local companies to find low rates. Use our comparison tool below to compare high-risk auto insurance quotes in your city for free. Simply enter your ZIP code to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will an at-fault accident be removed from my driving record?
The length of time an at-fault accident remains on your record varies. Generally, it can appear on your driving record for up to five years.
How far back do insurance companies check for accidents?
When drivers apply for car insurance, insurance companies typically review the last three to five years of someone’s driving record to check for accidents. However, this depends on the insurance company.
Can my insurance coverage be canceled after an accident?
Yes, your insurance coverage can be canceled after an accident, especially if you have more than one on your record or the violation was severe. Auto insurance companies may weigh accidents differently, so cancellation or non-renewal isn’t always the consequence, but it is possible.
One example of when your insurance company may cancel or not renew your policy is if you were caught driving under the influence. This risky, unsafe behavior increases the likelihood of you filing claims, so the decision to no longer insure you would be the safest option. Find out how to cancel car insurance.
Will my rates go up if I have accident forgiveness?
Accident forgiveness is designed to protect drivers from rate increases following an accident. If you have earned or purchased accident forgiveness, your rates should stay the same after an accident.
It is best to confirm with your insurance company if it offers accident forgiveness or if you currently earned this add-on coverage.
Can an accident be removed from your driving record?
Yes, an accident can be removed from your driving record under certain circumstances. For example, if the accident was improperly reported or you were not at fault, you can contact your local DMV to request the accident be removed.
How can car insurance rates be lowered after an accident?
If your rates increase after an accident, the first thing you can do is shop around for quotes. You can also try the following tips at your current provider:
- Adjust your coverage.
- Enroll in your auto insurer’s usage-based insurance program.
- Enroll in your auto insurer’s low-mileage or pay-per-mile program.
- Bundle insurance coverage.
- Improve credit score and driving habits.
You can also confirm with your insurance company if there is any other possible way to lower your rate (Read More: How to Lower Your Auto Insurance Rates).
What information am I asked to provide when requesting a car insurance quote?
When requesting a quote, you’ll provide the following information:
- Vehicle information, annual mileage, and location
- Type of coverage and deductible amount
- Age and number of drivers in the household
- List of completed safe driving courses
Answering honestly will ensure you get the most accurate quotes possible. Get auto quotes after an accident today by entering your ZIP in our free quote tool.
How long does an accident affect your car insurance rate?
An accident can affect your car insurance rate for a certain period of time, typically several years. For those wondering when does car insurance go down after accident, the exact duration varies depending on various factors, including your insurance provider and the specific details of the accident.
Will every accident lead to an increase in insurance rates?
Not all accidents will result in an increase in your insurance rates. Minor accidents or those where you are not at fault may not impact your premium, such as a hit-and-run (Read More: Does car insurance cover a hit-and-run?). However, if you are found at fault for an accident or if the damage is significant, there is a higher likelihood of an increase in your insurance rates.
Is there anything I can do to mitigate the impact of an accident on my insurance rate?
While you cannot entirely eliminate the impact of an accident, here are three steps you can take to potentially mitigate the increase in your insurance rate:
- Maintaining a good driving record following the accident
- Attending defensive driving courses
- Discussing your options with your insurance provider
Can I switch insurance companies to avoid the rate increase after an accident?
Switching insurance companies after an accident does not guarantee that you will avoid a rate increase. Insurance companies consider your entire claims history, not just your recent accident, when determining your premiums. It’s advisable to compare rates and policies from different insurers before making a decision.
Can I remove an accident from my driving record?
Generally, you cannot remove an accident from your driving record, as insurance points are a factual record of your driving history (Learn More: DMV Points vs. Insurance Points Explained). Over time, as the accident ages, its impact on your insurance rate may diminish. It’s important to maintain a safe driving record to help offset the effects of previous accidents.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Justin Wright
Licensed Insurance Agent
Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.