Do car insurance rates increase after an accident that wasn't your fault? Yes, your car insurance will increase even if a car accident is not your fault. Car insurance is so expensive for many reasons, and an accident that isn’t your fault, unfortunately, is one of them.

Most people understand that rates go up if they are at fault in an accident, but not when they aren’t the one responsible for the collision.

Keep reading to learn why insurance goes up after an accident that is not your fault. Use our free online comparison tool to compare rates from multiple providers and see how no-fault claims could impact your premiums.

What You Need to Know

• Your rates may rise after a not-at-fault accident, depending on company and local laws
• Progressive has the highest rate increase at 17%, followed by Geico at 14%
• Shop around with at least three insurers to get the best rates

Why Insurance Goes Up If a Car Accident Is Not Your Fault

If your car insurance went up after a no-fault accident, you might wonder, "Why did my car insurance go up when I was not at fault?" Here's the answer: a no-fault accident means that you weren't the person who caused the accident.

However, auto insurance providers have different fault assessment methods to determine which driver was at fault and which insurance company will pay for the compensation.

Moreover, each state has its own fault assessment rules. Some states are at-fault, while some are no-fault states. It's very important how your state determines fault in a collision because it can impact the type of insurance coverage you need and the outcome of the insurance claim in the event of an accident.

Sometimes, your insurance company will look at both sides of the accident differently and not penalize you if you're not at fault, and vice versa, depending on the situation.

That will depend on which state you live in, the different insurance laws in each state, and your specific insurance provider.

Most of the time, if someone hits you and they're found at fault, their insurance company will pay for your vehicle's damages and insurance deductible.

If you’re involved in a hit-and-run or get hit by an at-fault uninsured driver, you’ll have no choice but to file a claim through your insurance company.

Some states may deem it unlawful for your insurance provider to raise your rates if an uninsured motorist hits you. Many people ask, "Will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance?" This largely depends on your insurance provider and the laws in your state.

How Much Insurance Goes Up After a Car Accident That Is Not Your Fault

A top question readers ask is, "How much does insurance go up after a no-fault accident?" Well, in almost all states, not-at-fault claims are filed against the at-fault vehicle's insurance policy. If you file a claim against the at-fault driver, you’re less likely to see increased rates on your insurance premium. Learn more about when to file a car insurance claim in our article.

So, do insurance rates go up after a no-fault accident?

Here's a look at the average increase in insurance rates for five of the largest car insurance companies after an accident for which the policyholder wasn't at fault.

Company	Percentage increase after not-at-fault accident
	16.6% increase
	14.1% increase
	11.1% increase
	4.8% increase
	0% increase

This research excludes California and Oklahoma because insurance companies are prohibited from raising the rates for a not-at-fault driver in those states. Read More: Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in California

Fault Laws and Car Insurance Rates

Many states have different insurance laws and regulations that limit car insurance companies from raising your base rate if you’re not at fault in an accident.

On the other hand, several states have no-fault policies, where drivers are required to have personal injury protection (PIP).

Some states require drivers to obtain this auto insurance policy to protect themselves in the case of a crash, and no matter who is at fault in the accident, your own PIP policy will cover your medical expenses. Read more about PIP and other coverage types in our practical guide for understanding car insurance.

Drivers in no-fault states also can’t sue other drivers to get payment or have limited rights to sue. There are also different rules for parked car accidents depending on your state.

How Long a No-Fault Accident Affects Your Insurance

So, how long does a no-fault accident affect your insurance? A no-fault accident can affect your insurance rates for varying amounts, typically lasting three to five years. During this period, insurers may consider the accident when calculating your premiums, even if you were not at fault.

The exact impact and duration can differ by state and insurance company policies.

The accident will remain on your driving record and could influence future insurance rates, especially if you have multiple incidents. It's essential to check with your specific insurer for their guidelines on how long a no-fault accident may affect your premiums. Discover cheap car insurance for a bad driving record in our comprehensive guide.

How To Avoid Insurance Increase After an Accident

Sometimes, it may be impossible to avoid increased monthly premiums after a not-at-fault accident.

It may be smart to shop around periodically for an auto insurance company that best suits your needs and prices. Shop around to find the best car insurance in your state. Clearsurance research found that drivers save $390 when they switch car insurance.

How Fault is Determined in a Collision

Finding who is at fault in a car accident is not simple. In many instances, fault percentages will be split, for example, 75 and 25 percent at fault.

A police report can be important in determining who is at fault in an accident.

The officer's report analyzes and judges the collision. It also helps determine if a traffic violation occurred and specifies who they think was at fault.

One accident may not cause your rates to rise, but if you have been in multiple auto accidents, even if you were not at fault for each, your auto insurer may increase your premiums or not renew your policy.

One way to avoid rate increases for an accident is to purchase accident forgiveness, though it will likely make your policy more expensive to have this.

A common misconception is that it is unlawful for an insurance company to raise your premiums if you are involved in a collision that was not your fault.

While laws vary by state, some regulations prevent insurers from penalizing policyholders for accidents where they were not at fault.

Always consult your state’s insurance regulations or speak with your insurance agent to clarify how fault affects your premiums. Enter your ZIP code in our free comparison tool to find the best rates for your situation.

The content on this site is offered only as a public service to the web community and does not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. This site should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an insurance company or an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter. The comments and opinions expressed on this site are of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the insurance company or any individual attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions About Not-At-Fault Car Accidents

Does your insurance go up if someone hits you?

We often get the question, "Does my insurance increase if someone hits me?" Depending on your state laws and your current driving record, your car insurance rates can go up if someone hits you.

Someone hit my parked car. Will my insurance go up?

Whether your insurance rates will increase if someone hits your parked car depends on several factors. If the other driver is at fault and their insurance covers the damages, your rates likely won't increase.

However, your rates could increase if you need to file a claim with your own insurance—such as in a hit-and-run situation. Learn what to do when someone hits your parked car in our article.

Does a no-fault accident go on your record?

Yes. No-fault accident claims will stay on your record for at least three years. Insurers will see the claim when they review your insurance history, which may affect your rates. However, because you weren't at fault, it won't be considered a negative mark on your driving record.

Does your insurance go up if someone hits your parked car?

You might see your car insurance rates increase if you file a claim with your own company, but you should file with the at-fault driver's insurer to avoid a rate increase.

Does State Farm have accident forgiveness?

As a State Farm customer, you may have questions about the State Farm accident forgiveness policy. Unfortunately, State Farm does not offer accident forgiveness as part of its auto insurance policies.

Unlike some other insurers, it does not allow the first at-fault accident to be excluded from premium increases. See our State Farm car insurance review for more details.

Customers must understand that if they have an at-fault accident, their premiums may be affected, regardless of their driving history. Always check with your insurance provider for your policy's specific terms and features.

Does your insurance go up after a claim that is not your fault?

Yes, insurance rates can still go up after a claim that is not your fault. You might wonder, "Why has my insurance gone up after a non-fault accident?" Well, even though you didn't cause the accident, your insurance company may raise your premiums based on an increased risk assessment.

Some insurers, including State Farm, Progressive, and others, consider the overall number of claims you're involved in, even if you weren't at fault. This increase typically occurs because insurers view drivers involved in accidents, even non-fault ones, as statistically more likely to file future claims.

Does State Farm raise rates after a no-fault accident?

Yes. State Farm may raise rates following a no-fault accident, although this is contingent on the claim's specifics. While State Farm offers accident forgiveness for long-term customers with a clean record, it applies only to at-fault accidents.

How much does insurance increase after an accident with State Farm?

If you're wondering, "How much does State Farm insurance go up after an accident?" The answer is insurance with State Farm can increase by 24%. If you are at fault, the increase will be on the higher end of that range.

While State Farm does not offer accident forgiveness, the impact of a no-fault accident on your premiums may be less severe, although a rate increase could still occur.

To help mitigate these increases, consider looking into ways to lower your auto insurance rates, such as bundling policies, maintaining a clean driving record, or asking about potential discounts for safe driving or defensive driving courses.

Why does car insurance go up after a non-fault accident?

So, why does insurance go up after an accident? Car insurance goes up after a non-fault accident because insurance companies view any involvement in accidents as a higher risk. Even though you were not at fault, your insurer may raise your premiums due to the likelihood of future claims.

This can happen with insurers like Progressive or State Farm. They might not increase rates as much as they would for an at-fault accident, but you may still see a rise.

Does State Farm raise rates after a first accident?

State Farm does not automatically raise rates after your first accident, but an increase can occur based on specific circumstances. If you are involved in an at-fault accident, your rates may go up.

However, unlike some competitors, State Farm does not offer an accident forgiveness program that would prevent a rate increase for a first at-fault accident. Unfortunately, this means that your insurance premiums could still increase if you have a no-fault accident.

Does State Farm Drive Safe penalize you if you get into an accident?

State Farm's Drive Safe & Save program monitors driving habits, including acceleration, braking, and speed. However, if you are in an accident, the program does not penalize you directly. For more information, see our review of State Farm Drive Safe and Save.

Instead, the impact on your insurance premium would depend on whether the accident was at fault and other factors, like your overall driving record.

Do insurance rates go up after a no-fault accident in Florida?

In Florida, insurance rates generally cannot be raised for a no-fault accident due to the protections outlined in Florida Statutes §626.9541(1)(g)3. This statute specifically prohibits insurers from increasing premiums solely based on an accident that does not assign fault to the policyholder.

However, it's important to note that while the law provides this protection, insurers may still consider other factors when determining rates, such as the overall claims history or the number of accidents over time.

What if the at-fault party doesn’t have enough insurance to pay my claim in Florida?

If the at-fault driver in Florida lacks sufficient insurance to cover your claim, you may need to rely on your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage if you have it. This coverage pays for damages when the at-fault party's insurance is inadequate.

Do I have to pay a deductible if I was not at fault with Progressive?

With Progressive, you typically won't have to pay a deductible if the other driver is clearly at fault and their insurance covers the damages. However, if you're filing through your own collision coverage, you might need to pay the deductible, which can later be reimbursed if your insurer recovers the cost from the at-fault driver.

Find out the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage in our in-depth guide.

What happens if a driver does not admit fault?

If a driver does not admit fault, their insurance company may still investigate the accident to determine liability. Police reports, witness statements, and evidence from the scene can be used to assign fault, even if the other driver doesn't admit to causing the accident.

Does your insurance go up after a claim that is not your fault with Geico?

Many readers ask, "Does Geico raise rates after no-fault accident?" While Geico typically doesn't raise rates after a no-fault accident, the outcome isn’t always predictable. If you've had multiple accidents, even if you're not at fault, Geico may view you as a higher risk and increase your rates.

On average, Geico customers see a 14% rate increase after an at-fault accident, though no-fault accidents may have different outcomes. Check your policy for specific details.

Should I let my insurance know if it wasn’t my fault?

You should always inform your insurance company, even if the accident wasn't your fault. They can assist in filing a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance and ensure you receive compensation for damages. Most policies will require you to report all accidents.

As part of the steps to take after a car accident, it's crucial to notify your insurer to avoid potential claim complications. Reporting also helps establish a record in case the other party's insurance is uncooperative or the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough coverage.

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