Compare Car Insurance Rates After an At-Fault Accident in 2023

The first thing many car accident victims worry about is their physical health and financial well-being. Though, when the dust clears, there is still the matter of filing a car accident insurance claim.

Read more: Best Accident Insurance Companies

Unfortunately, insurance companies only worry about paying claimants as little as possible. To do this, they’ll try to gather the facts and assign fault to a particular driver. If you’re at fault, you’re probably thinking about what will happen to your car insurance rate.

This guide discusses car accident statistics and insurance rates and explains how fault is determined and what you should do after an auto accident.

What is fault in a car accident?

Fault is a term used to describe who is legally responsible for a car accident. To determine fault, investigators look at the circumstances of the crash and assess what each driver did or didn’t do that led to the outcome.

This includes evaluating speed, traffic signs/signals, lane usage, road conditions, visibility, and other key elements.

Sometimes fault can be easy to determine. For example, if one driver ran a red light and hit another vehicle in broad daylight, there is no question of who was liable for the accident.

But more often than not, it isn’t so clear-cut. Both drivers may have made mistakes or could be partially at fault. In these cases, a determination of fault must be made through an investigation or court judgment.

Fault is an important factor in how long a car insurance claim takes. Insurance companies consider fault when deciding how much to pay for a claim and how much to raise or lower a driver’s premiums.

Companies want to ensure that drivers more likely to get in accidents pay higher rates. While this can seem unfair, it helps keep insurance costs low by discouraging risky behavior on the road. Knowing exactly who is at fault can be difficult, but it is essential for determining liability and managing car insurance premiums.

What are some examples of at-fault accidents?

At-fault accidents are crashes where the driver is determined to be at least partially liable for causing the collision. This could include running a red light or stop sign, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, failing to yield right of way, and more.

In some states, certain infractions can automatically result in being declared at fault. For example, in many jurisdictions, it is illegal to pass another vehicle on the right side, and doing so will be considered an act of negligence, with liability assigned accordingly.

Other times investigations must be conducted to determine who was at fault. Factors such as traffic laws, speed limits, visibility conditions, road quality, signs/signals, and other details may all play a role in assigning fault.

Even if a driver believes they are not at fault, an insurance company may still decide they are liable for the accident and issue payment accordingly.

No matter who is found to be at fault, it is essential to remember that car insurance companies take note of all accidents that drivers are involved in. Drivers deemed responsible for more than one accident may see their rates spike more significantly than those with clean records. Compare quotes from car insurance companies that accept drivers with multiple accidents to get better rates.

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How much do car insurance rates increase after an at-fault accident?

The amount your car insurance rates increase after an at-fault accident depends on several factors — the severity of the crash, who was responsible for the accident, and what type of coverage you have. Even a minor accident will increase your car insurance rates.

Your insurance company will likely consider many different aspects when calculating your new premium, such as property damage caused by the crash, whether anyone was injured in the incident, any associated legal fees or fines, and how much it costs to repair or replace damaged vehicles.

In most cases, rates tend to increase significantly after an at-fault accident due to increased risk exposure for the insurance company. Take a look at car insurance rates after an at-fault accident in the table below:

Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates After One At-Fault Accident

Company	Clean record	With one accident
USAA	$161.14	$209.68
Geico	$178.83	$266.06
State Farm	$235.09	$283
American Family	$224.46	$310.22
Nationwide	$228.84	$283.07
Progressive	$282.75	$398.08
Farmers	$288.38	$376.56
Travelers	$287.30	$357.47
Allstate	$318.32	$415.64
Liberty Mutual	$397.85	$517.06

However, the exact amount can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances. To avoid rate increases and other potential consequences, it’s important to take steps to prevent car accidents in the first place.

How to Lower Car Insurance Rates After an Accident

Lowering your car insurance after an at-fault accident can be challenging, especially because accidents can stay on your record for up to five years or more. Learn more about how long an auto accident will stay on your insurance record.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help minimize any rate increases, including:

• Keeping your insurance coverage and making payments on time.
• Shopping around for new policies and comparing rates from different insurers.
• Looking into available discounts and benefits programs offered by your current company.

Many auto insurers offer loyalty rewards, good driver incentives, multi-policy discounts, and more that can help lower the cost of coverage after an at-fault accident. It’s also important to consider your coverage type. Reducing your coverage limits may lower your premiums but leave you with less protection.

Maintaining a clean driving record after the accident will help reduce future rate increases and potentially improve your credit score. These steps can help you get back on track financially after an at-fault accident and save money in the long run.

Car Insurance Rates in Fault vs. No-Fault States

It is important to note that not all states use the same system for determining fault in an accident. Some states have what is known as a “no-fault” system, which means each driver’s insurance company pays for their respective damages regardless of who is at fault.

In other words, no effort is made to determine who was liable for the crash, and both parties file claims with their own insurer. This eliminates lengthy investigations into who was responsible and helps drivers get compensated faster.

Let’s break down both fault and no-fault states to give you a clearer picture of what this means for you.

Accidents in At-Fault States

In an at-fault state, the party responsible for causing a car accident is determined through investigations and court judgments. The insurance companies will likely look into all available evidence, such as witness statements, police reports, and photos of the scene and damage, to determine your level of responsibility.

Insurance companies consider fault when deciding how much to pay for a claim and how much to raise or lower a driver’s premiums. The process of determining fault can take some time and sometimes be challenging.

Depending on this investigation’s findings, you may be held fully liable or partially liable for the accident. Learn how to dispute a car insurance claim if you believe you are not at fault. 

Accidents in No-Fault States

In a no-fault state, each driver’s insurance company pays for their respective damages regardless of who is at fault. In this system, neither driver’s insurer investigates or attempts to establish who was responsible for the crash — they pay out claims and move on.

This system may sound beneficial since it eliminates lengthy investigations. However, there are some downsides to the no-fault system.

For example, since each party’s insurer pays out regardless of fault, drivers can only recoup a certain amount from their own policy. This means that if your damages exceed the coverage limit on your policy, you will have to cover all additional costs out of pocket.

Further, no-fault car insurance requires more coverage to pay for injuries, which raises your insurance rates. Here is a list of no-fault car insurance states:

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory that also abides by the no-fault system, and you may also have higher monthly auto insurance rates if you live and drive there.

Who determines fault in a car accident?

Determining fault in a car accident depends mainly on the rules and regulations of each individual state. In an at-fault state, fault is generally determined through investigations and court rulings.

The other driver’s insurance company will consider all available evidence to determine who was responsible for the crash, such as witness statements, police reports, photos of the scene, etc. Depending on this investigation’s findings, one party may be held fully or partially liable for the accident.

In a no-fault state, determining fault is unnecessary since each driver’s insurance company pays out claims regardless of who caused the wreck. This helps drivers receive compensation quickly without lengthy investigations into liability issues.

No matter where you live, it’s important to know your state insurance laws regarding fault determination and insurance claims. This knowledge can help you understand the steps that will be taken in the event of an accident and ensure that you get the coverage you deserve regardless of who is at fault.

What is an insurance adjuster?

An insurance adjuster’s job is to determine who was at fault in a car accident. They typically investigate the crash scene, speak with witnesses, and review photos, police reports, and other evidence to decide who was responsible for the incident.

Adjusters may also review medical records if any of the parties involved sought medical care following the accident.

Once all available information is collected and reviewed, they will assign a percentage of fault to each driver based on their findings. A single-vehicle car accident will affect your car insurance rates because the adjuster will likely determine that you were totally at fault if no other drivers were involved.

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What happens if you’re found at fault for a car accident?

There can be serious consequences if you are found at fault for a car accident. First and foremost, you may be liable for any damages caused to the other party’s vehicle or property. This would include medical bills if any parties involved needed medical care following the incident.

You may also be held responsible for pain and suffering caused by an accident, which could include emotional trauma or physical injuries.

In an at-fault state, your insurance company will typically investigate to determine who is liable for the crash and how much each driver should pay out in claims.

Depending on their findings, you may have to pay out more than just damage costs — you could also be required to pay fines or court fees. You may also face a rate increase or cancellation of your policy for being at fault.

On the other hand, if you are found to be not at fault for the accident, your insurance company will cover all damages, and you won’t have to worry about any of the potential consequences mentioned above.

What to Do After an At-Fault Accident

If you’re responsible for a car accident, you should take several steps:

• Make sure that everyone involved is safe and unharmed, and call 911 immediately if anyone needs medical attention.
• Exchange contact and insurance information with witnesses or drivers involved in the incident.
• Take photos of the crash scene to help document any damage caused by the accident.
• Write down details such as time of day, weather conditions, and road layout in case these factors play a role in later assigning fault.

Finally, contact your auto insurance provider as soon as possible to report the incident and begin the claims process. Your insurer will be able to help you navigate the complicated process of filing a car insurance claim and ensure that all parties involved receive fair compensation for their damages.

Car Insurance After an At-Fault Accident: The Bottom Line

There are many factors to consider when it comes to car insurance after an at-fault accident. Your premiums may increase significantly after the incident if your insurer finds you liable for damages or injury.

You can take steps to mitigate any rate hikes and reduce the cost of coverage moving forward, including shopping around for auto insurance quotes and reducing your coverage limits.

Ultimately, the best way to protect yourself and save money is to practice safe driving habits, shop around for new policies, and look into available discounts. With the right plan, you can keep your car insured after an accident without breaking the bank.

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