Car Insurance After an Accident
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Getting into an accident doesn’t mean you can’t find affordable car insurance. Whether you were at fault or not, you may still have options for coverage. However, your rates and eligibility can depend on your driving history, the accident, and the insurance company.
At Freeway Insurance, we help drivers compare coverage options from multiple insurance companies to find a policy that fits their needs and budget. You can explore your options online, over the phone, or with help from a local agent who can explain how an accident may affect your insurance.
Key Takeaways
- You can generally shop for car insurance after an accident, even while a claim is still open.
- An accident may affect rates, discounts, renewal, or insurer options, but the result depends on fault, claim history, state rules, and the insurer.
- The new policy does not cover damage from an accident that happened before the policy took effect.
- Comparing quotes from multiple insurers can help you find affordable car insurance after an accident, even if your current premium has increased.
Can You Get Car Insurance After an Accident?
Yes. An accident doesn’t automatically make you ineligible for car insurance. You can apply while repairs or a claim is still pending, but answer questions about the accident accurately and identify anything that hasn’t been resolved.
Insurers may review your motor vehicle record and insurance claims history when underwriting a policy. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains that specialty consumer reporting agencies can provide insurers with claims information used in eligibility and pricing decisions. If a report contains an error, you can request a correction.
If recent accidents or violations have made it harder to find coverage, comparing multiple insurance companies can help you understand your options. Some insurers may be more willing than others to cover drivers with accidents on their records. Freeway agents can help you explore available policies based on your driving history, coverage needs, and budget.
Learn more about high-risk car insurance or explore our driving record resources.
How Does an Accident Affect Your Car Insurance?
An accident can affect more than the premium, available discounts, and eligibility with certain insurance companies. However, not every accident results in a rate increase, and the impact can vary depending on fault, state regulations, and your insurer.
Possible changes include:
- An accident surcharge or other rating change
- Loss of accident-free or claims-free discount
- Different underwriting or renewal terms
- Fewer insurer options when the accident appears with other recent incidents
These outcomes are not the same. Losing a discount is different from receiving a surcharge, and a higher renewal premium doesn’t mean the policy was canceled.
At-Fault vs. Not-at-Fault Accidents
Fault matters because insurers and state rules may treat an at-fault accident differently from one in which you were not responsible. If fault is shared or disputed, ask how the insurer classified the accident and what information it used to do so. A police report can be evidence, but it doesn’t always determine the insurer’s final liability.
How Much Does Car Insurance Increase After an Accident?
Car insurance rates may increase after an accident, particularly if you were at fault. However, there is no standard increase that applies to every driver. Your premium depends on factors such as the insurer, accident severity, claims history, driving record, and state insurance rules.
If your premium increases, comparing quotes from different insurance companies may help you find a more affordable option. When comparing prices, use comparable coverage limits and deductibles to evaluate the actual cost difference.
How Long Does an Accident Affect Car Insurance?
An accident may affect your car insurance rates for several years, but the exact period depends on your insurer and state. The time an accident remains on your driving record or claims report may differ from how long an insurance company uses it to calculate your premium.
Check each timeline separately:
- Motor vehicle record: How long the state reports the accident
- Claims report: How long the loss remains in an insurance claims database
- Insurance lookback period: How far back an insurer reviews accidents for pricing or eligibility
- License points: A separate state system, if your state uses one
For example, the Connecticut Insurance Department says a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (C.L.U.E.) report can contain up to seven years of claims history. That reporting period doesn’t tell you how long every insurer will surcharge or consider an accident.
What Coverage Can You Get After an Accident?
Having an accident doesn’t automatically limit your car insurance options. Depending on your driving history, the insurer, and your eligibility, you may still be able to choose from several types of coverage to fit your needs and budget.
Common coverage options include:
- Liability coverage: Helps pay for covered injuries or property damage you cause to others in an accident. This includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
- Collision coverage: Helps pay for covered collision damage to your own vehicle after the deductible is met.
- Comprehensive coverage: Helps cover damage to your vehicle in non-collision losses, such as theft, vandalism, or certain weather-related incidents.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: May help cover certain losses if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or insufficient coverage. Availability and requirements vary by state.
- Medical Payments (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Depending on your state and policy, these coverages can help pay eligible medical expenses after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. PIP may also cover certain additional expenses, such as lost wages.
You may also hear the term full coverage car insurance, which commonly refers to a combination of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. However, it isn’t a specific policy type and doesn’t mean every loss is covered.
Not every insurance company offers the same coverage options to drivers with recent accidents. If your vehicle is financed or leased, your lender may also require collision and comprehensive coverage. A Freeway agent can help you compare available coverage, limits, and deductibles from multiple insurers to find an option that balances affordability with the protection you need.
Do You Need an SR-22 After an Accident?
Not automatically. An SR-22 is a financial responsibility certificate filed by an insurer when a state requires it. It isn’t a separate insurance policy.
A filing may be required after certain circumstances, such as an uninsured accident or a license action. Check any notice from the state or court before assuming you need one. Freeway’s SR-22 insurance information and car insurance information by state can help you review state-specific topics.
Can an Insurance Company Cancel or Not Renew Your Policy After an Accident?
An accident doesn’t automatically end your policy. Cancellation ends coverage before the current policy term expires. Nonrenewal means the insurer won’t offer another term when the policy ends.
Permitted reasons, notice requirements, and consumer protections vary by state. If you receive a notice, check the reason and effective date, ask about information you believe is wrong, and arrange replacement coverage before the current policy ends.
How to Find Affordable Car Insurance After an Accident
Finding affordable car insurance after an accident may take some comparison shopping, especially if your premium has increased or your driving history limits your options. Different insurance companies evaluate accidents differently, so you may find a better rate by comparing multiple insurers.
Here are a few ways to potentially lower your costs:
- Compare multiple insurance companies. Rates and eligibility can vary, even for drivers with the same accident history.
- Ask about available discounts. You may qualify for savings based on your payment method, vehicle, policy selections, or other factors.
- Review your deductibles. Choosing a higher deductible may lower your premium, but make sure you can afford the out-of-pocket expense after a claim.
- Evaluate your coverage needs. Review your limits and optional coverages without sacrificing protection you need or coverage required by your lender.
- Work with an insurance agent. A Freeway agent can help you compare available options and identify coverage that fits your situation and budget.
If you are having difficulty qualifying for coverage, some states offer assigned-risk or residual-market insurance programs. Availability and eligibility vary by state.
How to Get Car Insurance After an Accident
Prepare the information you need to compare quotes:
- Gather your current policy, renewal offer, and accident or claim information before requesting quotes.
- Describe unresolved details accurately. If the claim amount is still pending, say so.
- Request quotes with the same limits and deductibles so you can compare them fairly.
- Ask which discounts still apply and whether an accident changes your eligibility for any of them.
- Choose deductibles you could afford to pay after another covered loss.
- Make sure the replacement policy is implemented before canceling your existing coverage.
Find Car Insurance After an Accident with Freeway
An accident doesn’t have to stop you from finding car insurance that fits your needs and budget. At Freeway Insurance, we help drivers explore coverage options from multiple insurance companies, whether they have a clean driving record or have had recent accidents.
Get a Freeway auto insurance quote, find a Freeway office near you, or call 800-777-5620 to speak with an agent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance After an Accident
Can I switch insurance companies while an accident claim is still open?
Yes. You can shop while the claim is pending, although the new insurer may ask about it. Switching policies doesn’t transfer the earlier claim to the new company. Keep working with the insurer handling that loss.
What is the cheapest car insurance after an accident?
There isn’t one insurance company that offers the cheapest car insurance for every driver after an accident. Rates depend on your driving history, location, coverage needs, and the insurer. Comparing quotes from multiple companies can help you find an affordable option for your situation.
Can I get car insurance after an at-fault accident?
Yes. Many drivers can still get car insurance after an at-fault accident, although rates may increase and some insurers may have additional eligibility requirements. Comparing companies can help you understand which coverage options are available.
Is it better to stay with my current insurance company after an accident?
It depends on your renewal rate, available discounts, coverage, and other insurance options. Your current insurer may still offer a competitive rate, but comparing quotes can help you determine whether switching could save you money.
When should I tell my insurance company about an accident?
Follow the reporting requirements in your policy and any applicable state rules. Don’t rely on a generic nationwide deadline.
Does accident forgiveness keep my entire premium unchanged?
Not necessarily. Accident forgiveness may prevent a qualifying accident surcharge under a program’s rules, but other pricing changes or lost discounts can still affect the total premium.
Can an accident affect insurance if I don’t file a claim?
It can if the insurer learns about the accident through another claim or record and is permitted to consider it. Answer application and policy questions accurately.
Can I get insurance without a police report for the earlier accident?
A missing police report doesn’t automatically prevent you from applying for a new policy. Provide the information and documentation the insurer requests.
What if someone else was driving my car?
Coverage can depend on permission, listed-driver restrictions, exclusions, the policies involved, and state law. Contact the insurer that covered the vehicle rather than assuming how the claim will be handled.
Will adding collision coverage now pay for the previous crash?
No. Coverage added after an accident doesn’t apply retroactively. The policy and coverage in effect at the time of the crash govern that loss.
What if the fault determination is still disputed?
Describe the claim as disputed or pending when asked. Ask the insurer handling the claim what review process is available, and what supporting information you can submit.
Sources
These government resources support the claims-report examples referenced above. State-specific guidance applies only where stated.