Guide
High-Risk Insurance After Accidents
How one, two or more at-fault accidents change your premium and insurer options, how long they count, and how to shop after a nonrenewal.
By Gabriel Ortiz · Editor
Published · Updated
Answer in brief
One at-fault accident typically raises a premium 30–60% for three years. A second within three years usually triggers a tier change and may lead a preferred insurer to nonrenew; the combined effect is often 80–150%. Three or more generally push a driver fully into the non-standard market. Not-at-fault accidents usually carry no surcharge, though frequency can matter. Accident forgiveness protects only a first incident and only if already on the policy.
One, two, three
| At-fault accidents in 3 years | Typical effect | Market |
|---|---|---|
| One | +30–60% surcharge | Preferred/standard, possibly with forgiveness |
| Two | Tier change; +80–150%; possible nonrenewal | Standard/non-standard |
| Three or more | Nonrenewal likely; +150%+ | Non-standard |
What counts
Insurers surcharge at-fault accidents above a small payout threshold (often $750–$1,500). Not-at-fault accidents generally do not count, but several claims of any kind in a short period can affect underwriting. Comprehensive claims—glass, theft, weather—rarely count individually.
After a nonrenewal
- Read the notice for the reason and the date; you typically get 30–60 days.
- Start shopping immediately—a lapse would compound the problem.
- Include non-standard insurers; they expect this history.
- Bind the new policy before the old one ends.
Quote finder
Find auto insurance quotes that fit your situation
Recovering
Surcharges expire three years after each accident. Insurers with shorter lookbacks drop them sooner, which makes the third-anniversary renewal the key moment to re-compare. See how to lower.
Entries in this guide
Specific questions answered in more depth.
Questions & answers
Will I be dropped after two accidents?
Some preferred insurers nonrenew after two at-fault accidents in three years; others re-rate. Either way you can be insured elsewhere.
Do not-at-fault accidents raise my rate?
Usually not, though some insurers consider claim frequency.
Does accident forgiveness help after the fact?
No. It must be on the policy before the accident and typically covers one incident.
Terms used in this guide
- At-fault accident
- A crash the insurer determines you caused. Surcharged above a payout threshold; not-at-fault accidents usually are not.
- Surcharge
- A percentage added to the premium for a specific incident, typically for three years.
- Nonrenewal
- An insurer's decision not to offer a new term. Common after incidents; does not itself damage your record.
- Accident forgiveness
- A feature preventing a first at-fault accident from raising the rate; must be on the policy before the crash.
Sources and references
Legal figures on this page (minimum limits, filing periods, statutory benefits) are checked against the primary law or the state insurance regulator listed below. Links and figures last verified Nov 2026.
- Facts + Statistics: Highway safety — Insurance Information InstituteStatistical dataCrash, injury and fatality trends used to explain why liability and injury coverages cost what they do.
- What determines the price of an auto insurance policy? — Insurance Information InstituteConsumer guidanceRating factors: driving record, mileage, location, age, gender, vehicle, credit-based insurance score, coverage choices. Notes ZIP-code rating is prohibited in California and Michigan and gender rating is prohibited in seven states.
- Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs — Insurance Information InstituteConsumer guidanceShop at least three quotes; raising a deductible from $200 to $500 can cut collision/comprehensive cost 15–30%, $1,000 can save 40%+; drop physical damage on cars worth under 10× the premium; bundling, low-mileage and good-student discounts.
- Consumer insurance information — National Association of Insurance CommissionersConsumer guidancePlain-language guides from the body of state insurance regulators; links to every state's insurance department and complaint process.
- How to file an auto insurance claim — Insurance Information InstituteConsumer guidanceSteps after a crash: document the scene, notify the insurer promptly, understand the adjuster's role.
- Understanding your insurance deductibles — Insurance Information InstituteConsumer guidanceHow deductibles apply to collision and comprehensive and how raising them lowers premium.
- What if I can't find auto coverage? — Insurance Information InstituteConsumer guidanceHow the non-standard market and state assigned-risk plans insure drivers the voluntary market declines.
- Is it legal to drive without insurance? — Insurance Information InstituteConsumer guidanceEvery state requires drivers to demonstrate financial responsibility; in most states insurance is the mandatory way to do so.
Practical guidance on this page is original editorial work. Cited sources support factual statements and do not endorse this site. Dollar ranges described as typical or illustrative are editorial estimates, not figures from these sources.
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