The short answer
Not always. An at-fault accident usually raises rates — about 43% on average, per Insurance Information Institute data. Comprehensive claims like theft or hail, and many not-at-fault claims, often have little or no effect. The increase typically fades over three to five years.
Does filing any car insurance claim raise your rates?
Not always. At-fault accident claims usually raise rates — roughly 43% on average, per Insurance Information Institute data — but comprehensive claims like theft, hail, or a cracked windshield, and many not-at-fault claims, often have little or no effect. The claim type, its dollar size, your state, and your insurer all change the result.
- At-fault collision claims carry the biggest surcharge, because they signal higher future risk.
- Comprehensive claims (theft, weather, animal strikes) are usually treated more leniently — they are not tied to your driving.
- Not-at-fault claims often raise rates little or nothing, and some states ban any increase.
- Small claims near your deductible can cost more in higher premiums than they pay out — sometimes worth paying out of pocket.
The Insurance Information Institute notes that insurers price by predicted risk, so a claim that signals future losses moves your rate more than one that does not. For what each coverage pays, see the types of car insurance explained.
How much do rates go up after an at-fault accident?
An at-fault accident raises a full-coverage premium by about 43% on average, per Insurance Information Institute and industry data — often several hundred dollars a year. The exact increase depends on the claim's size, your prior record, your state, and your insurer's rating rules. A bodily-injury claim moves rates more than a minor fender bender.
| Claim type | Typical rate impact |
|---|---|
| At-fault accident | Large — about 43% on average |
| At-fault with injury or high cost | Largest — well above average |
| Not-at-fault accident | Small to none in many states |
| Comprehensive (theft, hail, glass) | Small or none |
| Multiple claims in a short span | Compounds; can affect renewal |
The 43% figure reflects an average across insurers and states reported by the Insurance Information Institute; your own change can be higher or lower. To see what shapes a premium in the first place, compare comprehensive vs. collision coverage.
Does a not-at-fault claim raise your rates?
Usually not, or far less than an at-fault claim. Many states limit or ban surcharges for accidents you did not cause, and a handful — including California and Oklahoma — prohibit insurers from raising rates on not-at-fault claims entirely. Still, the claim appears on your CLUE report for up to seven years, and rules vary by insurer.
- Statutory protection: several states bar any premium increase when you are not at fault.
- Insurer discretion elsewhere: in states without that rule, some carriers still nudge rates up.
- It still gets recorded: a not-at-fault claim shows on your CLUE history regardless of fault.
- Fault must be established: a disputed accident can be coded at-fault until resolved.
State rate-regulation rules differ widely; the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) explains how your state oversees what insurers may charge. For how a claim history is stored, see the section on how long a claim affects your rates.
How long does a claim affect your insurance rates?
A claim typically affects your rates for three to five years, while the underlying record stays on your CLUE report for up to seven years. The surcharge is usually steepest at the first renewal after the claim, then shrinks each year you stay claim-free until it drops off entirely.
- First renewal: the surcharge hits hardest right after the claim is processed.
- Years two to five: the increase typically tapers as the accident ages.
- Up to seven years: the claim itself stays on your CLUE report, which insurers pull when you shop or renew.
- After it ages off: rates return toward your clean-record baseline, all else equal.
The Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) is a claims database insurers query at quoting; you can request your own report free under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as outlined by the Federal Trade Commission. Shopping around once a surcharge ages off can recover savings — compare how rates and cost work elsewhere in your car budget.
What is accident forgiveness?
Accident forgiveness is a policy feature that waives the premium increase for your first at-fault accident. Insurers usually grant it after three to five years claim-free, or sell it as an add-on, and it is not offered in every state. It typically applies once — to one driver or one policy — not to unlimited claims.
- Earned or purchased: some carriers include it after years claim-free; others charge extra for it.
- First accident only: it generally forgives one at-fault claim, then resets.
- State limits: a few states restrict or ban it, so availability is not universal.
- Not retroactive: you must have the feature before the accident for it to apply.
Terms differ by insurer, so read your declarations page or ask before relying on it; the Insurance Information Institute covers how surcharges and rating work. For the full coverage lineup, see the car insurance types guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does filing a car insurance claim always raise your rates?
No. An at-fault accident claim usually raises rates, by about 43% on average. But comprehensive claims such as theft or hail, and many not-at-fault claims, often have little or no effect. The size of the claim, your state's rules, and your insurer all change the outcome.
How much will my insurance go up after an at-fault accident?
On average, an at-fault accident raises a full-coverage premium by about 43%, per Insurance Information Institute data. A single claim can add hundreds of dollars a year. The increase depends on claim size, your prior record, your state, and your insurer's rating rules.
How long does an accident stay on my insurance record?
An accident typically affects your rates for three to five years, and the underlying claim stays on your CLUE report for up to seven years. The surcharge usually shrinks each year you stay claim-free, so the steepest increase hits at your first renewal after the claim.
Does a not-at-fault accident raise your insurance rates?
Usually not, or much less than an at-fault claim. Many states bar insurers from surcharging for accidents you did not cause, and several prohibit it outright. But not every state, and not every insurer, leaves not-at-fault claims off your rate — a claim still appears on your CLUE report.
What is accident forgiveness in car insurance?
Accident forgiveness is a policy feature that waives the premium increase for your first at-fault accident. It is usually earned after three to five years claim-free, or bought as an add-on, and is not available in every state. It applies per policy or per driver, not unlimited claims.
Sources
CarsLens is editorial guidance, not individualized advice. This page draws on the Insurance Information Institute, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the Federal Trade Commission.