How much does car insurance go up after an accident?

When road accidents happen, your car insurance can support you when you need it most.

But unfortunately, even if the accident wasn't your fault, your policy premium will likely increase at renewal. This is because insurers see any type of claim as increased risk, which can often lead to higher costs.

Below, we take a closer look at how your insurance price could be affected after an accident and ways to help lower your premium.

Will my car insurance always increase after a claim?

Yes, you'll almost always see your car insurance premium increase after making a claim.

It doesn't always matter whether the accident was your fault or not. Insurers often see any claim as a sign of increased risk. And increase risk typically means increased costs.

The exact amount your premium rises can depend on a few factors, though:

• The severity of the claim: Scratching someone's car probably won't have the same impact as a total write-off.
• Your policy type: Some policies offer accident forgiveness or other benefits that may limit increases.
• Your claims history: If you've made multiple claims in the past, your premium may rise more to reflect this.
• Who was at fault: Whether you're to blame or not can influence how much your insurance price increases.
• Your no-claims bonus (NCB): If you lose your NCB as a result of the claim, your renewal price could jump significantly. The longer you've gone without making a claim, the bigger the discount you'll lose.

Even if you don't make a claim after an accident, your insurance cost could still go up. This might happen if your insurer considers you a higher risk. Or, if the other driver involved makes a claim and your provider needs to recover the costs.

How much will my insurance increase after an accident?

This depends on the circumstances, like who was at fault, the severity of the accident and your past claims.

To give you an idea of how much it might go up, our data shows that having just 1 year of NCB banked could save you an average of 34% on your insurance compared to those with no NCB*.

And the savings only increase from there, meaning that the longer you go without making a claim, the more you can expect to save.

*Confused.com data Q4 2024.

What’s an at fault accident?

An at fault accident means your insurer holds you responsible for the accident.

But, the term also applies for accidents where your insurer has no way to recover the cost of repair following an accident.

For example, if someone hits your parked car and drives off, this could be classed as an 'at fault' accident, where you're responsible for the cost of repairs.

The biggest downside? If you claim under these circumstances, your premiums are likely to rise a fair bit.

What’s a no fault accident?

A no-fault accident is when another driver is found responsible for an accident you're involved in.

For instance, if someone rear-ends you because they were speeding, they're likely to be seen as to blame, and their insurer should cover the costs of the claim.

If your provider successfully recoups the money needed to repair your car, the claim is recorded as 'no-fault' in your claims history.

This could still impact your premium but it's usually by a smaller amount than an at-fault claim.

What’s a 50/50 accident?

A 50/50 accident happens when both drivers are found responsible for the crash. It's also known as a 'partial blame claim'.

Since liability is split, each driver's insurer covers a portion of the repair costs. The percentage of liability you're assigned will influence how much your insurer pays out.

Even though you'd only partially be at fault, this type of claim still goes on your record. That means you'll probably see a higher premium when it's time to renew, though less so than with an at-fault claim.

Will my insurance go up if someone else hits me?

Yes, it most likely will. Like we've said, even if the accident wasn't your fault, insurers tend to view all claims as a sign of increased risk. As a result, they put their prices up.

That said, some policies can be more lenient than others in no-fault situations. For example, am NCB protection add-on could keep your discount intact after a non-fault claim.

But, not all policies offer this type of coverage, so read your policy wording to know what cover you've got!

What about if I rear end someone?

If you rear-end another driver, you'll almost always be considered at fault—even if the driver slammed on the brakes suddenly!

This is because drivers are expected to leave enough space to stop safely. So, this will likely mean you're given a pricier insurance price when it's time to renew.

What if I’m hit by an uninsured driver?

If you're hit by an uninsured driver, there's a chance you'll see your car insurance price go up. But, the impact on your premium depends on the type of coverage you have.

If you have comprehensive car insurance, you might be covered for incidents involving uninsured drivers. For example, if your policy includes an uninsured driver promise, your NCB might be protected.

This could help reduce or prevent an increase in your insurance premium when it's time for renewal.

If you've got third party insurance, you won't be able to claim on your insurance. But, if you've been hit by an uninsured driver, you might be able to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB). It's a non-profit organisation that helps those who have been affected by uninsured driving.

Keep in mind: No matter what cover you've got, your premium might still go up at renewal even if you weren't responsible. This is because insurers might factor the accident into their overall risk assessment.

Do I need to tell my insurer about accidents I’ve been involved in?

Yes. When you apply for car insurance, you must disclose any accidents you've been involved in. This doesn't just apply to car accidents, either! If you've had incidents involving other vehicles, like motorbikes or vans, insurers will want to hear about them, too.

If you don't inform your insurance provider about an accident, it could be viewed as a 'non-disclosure'. This is when important information your insurer asks you to provide during the quote process is left out. As a result, you could invalidate your policy or even lead to it being cancelled entirely. So, it's best to be upfront.

How long will a claim impact my insurance?

The timeframe can vary depending on your insurer and the severity of the claim. When you get a quote with us, our insurers will ask for your claims history over the past 5 years.

Remember: It's important to be honest about your claims history. Insurance providers can easily carry out checks across via different insurance databases. So, they'll be able to see all claims details on your record, including any you've not made them aware of. Failing to disclose a claim might save you money in the short term, but it could land you in hot water later!

How can I lower my premium after an accident?

You should expect the cost of your car insurance to rise after making a claim. But, there's a few things you can do to try and lower the cost:

Consider getting a car in a lower car insurance group

These tend to have smaller engines, which usually means they're cheaper to insure. You can check what group your car is in with our checker tool.

Add a named driver

Do you know someone with a stellar driving record and plenty of experience willing to drive your car sometimes? If you add them as a named driver, your car insurance price might drop.

Shop around!

After you get a quote, take the time to look through the different policies our insurers are offering you. That way, you'll have a better chance of nabbing a deal at the best value.

Lower your annual mileage

Reducing the number of miles you cover each year could make your insurer see you as less risky to insure. As a result, this could mean your premium costs less.

Handy hint: Check this guide for more tips on how to save on your car insurance!