How Much Does Your Auto Insurance Go Up After an Accident?

There are a lot of incidents that can cause your car insurance rates to go up, from accidents to a drop in your credit score. Accidents, however, are often the scariest and most uncertain incidents, especially when you aren’t sure what you will expect to pay afterward.

On top of making sure everyone is okay, getting medical treatment and filing an insurance claim, your rates are also likely to go up. It’s an added frustration on top of an already stressful situation, but how much does your insurance actually go up after a wreck? a close up of a crashed vehicle

On average, premiums rise by 44.1% after one accident. This varies per state, however. In California, you’re looking at a possible 60.3% increase while Kentucky only raises your rates by 30.6%. Other factors that influence the increase of your car insurance rates are:

Amount of previous claims
Circumstance of the accident
Insurance company
Amount of damage done in the accident

Kansas has a 22% increase for one accident, which is about $313 more a year from the average insurance rate of $1,412.

Some insurance companies have accident forgiveness and offer cheaper rates for drivers with a bad driving record. The more previous violations and accidents on your record, the higher your car insurance may be. The average increase for an accident is:

1 at-fault accident: 29.66% increase
2 at-fault accidents: 110% increase
1 comprehensive claim: 3% increase
2 comprehensive claims: 8% increase

How Long Does an Accident Affect Your Car Insurance?

This depends on the state and circumstances of the accident. On average, a car accident will stay on your insurance for 3 years. If an accident occurs due to a DUI, however, you may have the DUI on your record for up to 10 years.

Does Your Car Insurance Go Up After an Accident in a No-Fault State?

If you get into a wreck, it’s usually safe to assume that your insurance rates will go up. Kansas is a no-fault state, meaning that each driver in an accident must file a personal injury protection claim to pay for injuries to themselves and their passengers. Filing a car insurance claim will generally raise your rates. Even in at-fault states, insurance rates may rise for drivers who are not considered at-fault for the accident. This is because filing a claim, even if only for damages done to the vehicle, costs the insurance company money in compensation. After one or more claims, you are considered more likely to file another claim. This is also where it’s important to consider what insurance agency to insure with. Some companies offer more forgiveness for at-fault and not-at-fault accidents. If you’re a high-risk driver, you should consider insuring with a company that specializes in insuring nonstandard drivers.

What is a High-Risk Driver?

A high-risk driver is a driver who is considered risky to insure by insurance companies. Your risk is determined by the likelihood that you will file a claim which the insurance company will have to pay. High risk drivers typically have:

DUIs
Multiple speeding tickets
Multiple traffic violations
Bad driving record

Poor credit
Expensive cars/sports cars
Dangerous or risky lifestyle
Drivers younger than 18
Drivers older than 70

Some influences, such as your age, are uncontrollable. Others, however, you can attempt to lower your insurance rates by lowering your risk in other areas.

Other Affects on Car Insurance Rates

More Drivers and More Auto Accidents

More drivers on the road can cause a higher likelihood of accidents. This is in part due to the population in your area. If the population in your area rises, especially concerning drivers, you may pay more for auto insurance.

The number of accidents has also risen because of an increase in unsafe driving practices.

This means that even if you drive defensively and have a clean record, drivers around you can cause your rates to go up.

Claim Severity

The number of accidents isn’t the only factor affecting auto insurance claims. The size of the average insurance claim—also known as claim severity—has increased as well.

Insurers calculate your premiums based on how much they may have to pay after a claim. With more expensive accidents, insurance providers are paying out heftier compensation—which means a raise in prices to offset the risk.

Uninsured Motorists

Auto insurance is required in most states as a way to cover your own liability and provide compensation to others in the event that you’re responsible for an accident. Despite this, approximately 13% of drivers drive uninsured.

If you live in a state or area that is particularly high in its number of uninsured drivers, you could pay more for auto insurance. If you have an accident, be sure to speak with your insurance agent about your policy and your options.

How Much Does Your Auto Insurance Go Up After an Accident?

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