How much does car insurance go up after an accident?
An at fault accident usually adds a surcharge at renewal. What that means in Texas, how long it lasts, and what to do instead of just paying it.
- An at fault accident usually adds a surcharge to your premium at renewal, and how large it is depends on the company and on the size of the claim.
- Most companies stop counting the accident after three years, and some count it for five.
- Do not just pay the higher renewal, because other companies weigh the same accident differently.
There is no one number. An at fault accident, one the insurance company decides you caused, usually raises your premium at renewal. A premium is the bill you pay for the policy. How much it goes up depends on the company, on the size of the claim and on what else is on your record, so the new number is worth checking before you pay it.
What happens to your rate after an at fault accident
- An at fault claim usually brings a surcharge at renewal. A surcharge is an extra amount added to your premium because of the claim. How large it is varies widely by company and by the size of the claim.
- The surcharge usually applies for three years. Some companies count it for five.
- A not at fault claim, one where the company decides someone else caused the crash, generally does not carry a surcharge. The claim still shows up in your history.
- A comprehensive claim, such as hail or theft, is treated more gently than a collision claim. Collision covers damage from hitting something. Comprehensive covers damage from almost everything else.
Accident forgiveness
Some companies offer accident forgiveness, which waives the surcharge for a first at fault accident. You either earn it with years of clean driving or pay extra for it.
Ask about it while your record is still clean. It cannot be added after the crash.
What to do at renewal
Do not simply pay the higher renewal. Your own company has already priced the accident in. Other companies weigh the same claim differently, and some count one at fault accident more lightly, so it is worth having the renewal quoted again. See the other things that move a premium.
It works the other way too. If you have been with the same company for years with no claims, ask anyway. Staying put does not always work in your favor at renewal.
Small claims are a judgment call
If the damage is close to your deductible, filing may cost you more than the claim pays. A deductible is the amount you pay yourself before the policy pays anything.
Say the repair is 1,400 dollars and your deductible is 1,000 dollars. The claim hands you 400 dollars, and three years of surcharge can take back more than that.
Damage to another person's vehicle is a different question, and that should always go through the policy. See how the claim process works and how the deductible applies.
How long until it comes off
Most companies stop counting an at fault accident at three years. Some count it at five. Ask your company exactly when the surcharge drops off, then set a reminder to have the price looked at again that month.
Let us quote it again
Bring your renewal notice and we will run it against other companies. Nobody can promise you a lower number, and if no one can beat what you have, we will tell you to stay put. Call our McAllen office at (956) 687 3334, or use the ZIP form on this page. Se habla español.
Common follow-up questions
Will my rate go up if the accident was not my fault?
Usually not by itself, though a company may still look at how often you file claims. Check that the claim was recorded as not at fault, because fault does get coded wrong.
Does a parking lot scrape count?
If you were at fault and a claim was paid, yes. Small claims sometimes fall under a company threshold, so ask before you file.
Can I switch carriers with an open claim?
Yes. The open claim stays with the company that had your policy on the day it happened, and it is handled under that policy.
Need a quote?
Enter your ZIP code to get started. Ten questions, about two minutes.
Or call (956) 687 3334, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM.
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Gerino Alejos
Licensed insurance agent · License 3128710 · NPN 18243381
Owner of McAllen Insurance Group, an independent agency on North 10th Street in McAllen. Works with clients across Hidalgo, Cameron and Starr counties on Medicare, Marketplace health, life and auto coverage. Se habla español.