How Much Does an At-Fault Accident Raise Your Premium?
Car insurers track your accident history and apply a surcharge to your premium after an at-fault claim, then remove it after several accident-free years. While the exact formula varies by insurer and state, a common rule of thumb is that each at-fault accident raises your premium by roughly 30%, and that surcharge typically stays on your policy for 3 to 5 years.
For example, if your current annual premium is $1,400 and you had one at-fault accident in the past few years, your premium could rise by about 30% to roughly $1,820 at renewal — an increase of about $420. With two at-fault accidents, the surcharge could compound to around 60%, pushing your premium to roughly $2,240.
Not every accident triggers a surcharge — accidents that weren't your fault, or minor claims under a small-claim threshold, are often excluded, and many insurers offer accident forgiveness for a first at-fault claim. Staying accident-free for several years typically lets the surcharge fade and your premium return closer to its original level, so safe driving pays off over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
This calculator uses a common industry rule of thumb: about a 30% increase per at-fault accident, applied for roughly 3 to 5 years. Your actual surcharge depends on your insurer, state, and accident severity.
No, accidents that aren't your fault, or very minor claims below a small-claim threshold, often don't trigger a surcharge. Check your specific insurer's accident forgiveness and surcharge policy.
No, most insurers remove the surcharge after a set number of accident-free years, typically 3 to 5. Staying accident-free lets your premium gradually return to its original level.