By the Five Star Insurance Reviews editorial team · Updated October 13, 2026

Car Insurance After an Accident: What to Expect

Car insurance after an accident can change in several ways. Here is what to do at the scene, how claims work and what may happen to your rate at renewal.

What to do right after an accident

Your first priority is safety. Move to a safe place if you can, turn on your hazard lights and check whether anyone is hurt. Call emergency services if there are injuries or serious damage.

Then gather information. Exchange names, contact details, license plates and insurance information with the other driver. Take photos of the vehicles, the road and any visible injuries, and note witnesses.

File a police report if the law or the situation requires it. Avoid arguing about fault at the scene, and be careful about what you admit.

Contact your insurer about the accident

Report the accident to your insurer promptly, even if you were not at fault. Most policies require timely notice, and delays can complicate a claim.

Describe what happened accurately and provide the information you collected. You will receive a claim number and be assigned an adjuster. Keep that number handy, and keep records of every call and message.

How your insurer handles the claim shapes your car insurance after an accident, so keep notes of every conversation.

Dealing with the other driver’s insurer

You may be contacted by the other driver’s insurance company. You are generally not required to give a recorded statement to them, and you may want to speak with your own insurer or a lawyer first, especially if there are injuries or a dispute about fault.

Stick to the facts, avoid guessing about speeds or injuries, and keep copies of everything you send. Your insurer can handle much of this communication for you.

Which coverage pays after an accident

• Liability coverage pays for other people’s injuries and property damage if you are at fault.
• Collision coverage pays to repair your car after a crash, minus your deductible, no matter who is at fault.
• Medical payments or personal injury protection helps with medical bills for you and your passengers, where available.
• Uninsured motorist coverage helps when the other driver has no insurance or too little.

Our guides to liability coverage, collision vs comprehensive and uninsured motorist coverage explain each in detail.

Knowing which coverage applies helps you plan your car insurance after an accident before the bills arrive.

Injuries and medical bills after an accident

Some injuries do not show up right away. See a doctor after an accident even if you feel fine, and keep records of every visit, bill and day of missed work.

Depending on your state and policy, medical payments coverage, personal injury protection, the at-fault driver’s liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage and your health insurance may all play a role. How they fit together is complicated, so ask your insurer how your policy responds.

Will car insurance after an accident go up?

It may. If you were at fault, your rate may rise at renewal, and the increase can be larger for a serious accident or one that led to a big payout. If you were not at fault, your rate may not change, though practices vary by insurer and state.

Car insurance after an accident also depends on your history. A driver with a clean record may see a smaller effect than a driver with prior claims or violations.

How long car insurance after an accident is affected

An accident can influence pricing for a few years, and many insurers look back around three to five years. The exact period varies by company and state.

Your rate may improve as the accident ages and you keep a clean record. Check your price at each renewal.

Accident forgiveness

Some insurers offer accident forgiveness, which means one at-fault accident does not raise your rate at renewal. It is sometimes included for long-term customers and sometimes sold as an add-on.

Eligibility and terms vary, and it may not be available in every state. Ask what qualifies and how it applies before you rely on it.

Ask whether it is included in your car insurance after an accident or sold separately.

Should you file a claim for a small accident?

Sometimes the damage is only slightly more than your deductible. Filing a claim may raise your rate, so some drivers pay small repairs themselves.

Be careful. Your policy may require you to report accidents, the other driver can file a claim against you, and hidden damage or injuries can appear later. Talk to your insurer or agent before deciding not to report.

Think about the long-term effect on your car insurance after an accident before you decide.

Repairs, rental cars and total loss

• You can usually choose your repair shop, though your insurer may recommend one.
• Rental car reimbursement, if you have it, helps with the cost of a rental while your car is repaired.
• If repairs cost too much compared with the car’s value, the car may be declared a total loss, and the insurer pays its actual cash value minus your deductible.
• Gap coverage may matter if you owe more than the car is worth.

Shopping for car insurance after an accident

Companies treat claims differently, so one may price you better than another. Compare at least three quotes with identical coverage limits and deductibles before your renewal.

Our carrier reviews and head-to-head comparisons can help you decide which companies to ask. Our cheapest car insurance quotes guide and list of discounts show more ways to save.

Common mistakes after an accident

• Admitting fault at the scene.
• Waiting too long to notify your insurer.
• Skipping photos and records.
• Accepting a renewal increase without comparing quotes.
• Letting coverage lapse after a claim.

Avoiding these mistakes can keep your car insurance after an accident as affordable as possible.

Documents to keep after an accident

• The police report number and the officer’s name.
• Photos and videos of the scene and damage.
• Names, contact details and insurance information for everyone involved.
• Your claim number and your adjuster’s contact information.
• Repair estimates, bills and rental receipts.
• Medical records and bills related to the accident.

Keeping these in one place makes follow-up calls easier and protects you if details are questioned later.

A quick checklist

Note your claim number, keep copies of reports and repair bills, ask about accident forgiveness and compare quotes before renewal. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Insurance Information Institute explain how claims and rates work, and your state insurance department can help with disputes.

Use this list to stay organized and protect your car insurance after an accident.

FAQs

General information, not insurance advice. Coverage and rules vary by state and policy.

Compare free quotes