Cheap car insurance after an accident: how to find it
A-MAX Editorial Team
Reviewed by Rajesh Sankaran, Licensed Insurance Agent
Short answer
Cheap car insurance after an accident is possible, and it usually comes from comparing carriers rather than staying put. A recent accident raises your rate, but every company prices it differently, so the same driver can get very different quotes. A-MAX compares multiple carriers for drivers with accidents, tickets and other marks on their record, often the same day.
Key facts
Carriers price the same accident differently, so quotes vary widely.
Comparison shopping is the biggest lever on price after an accident.
An at-fault accident usually affects your rate for about three years.
A-MAX compares multiple carriers, including non-standard carriers built for records with accidents.
Same-day coverage is available online, by phone, or in any office.
If you only do four things
Do not auto-renew with your current company. Compare first.
Get one quote that checks many carriers at once instead of calling each.
Ask about lower limits, higher deductibles, and discounts to cut the price.
A-MAX can run the comparison for you and start coverage today.
A-MAX has your back. Even after an accident.
Since 2002, A-MAX has helped drivers across Texas, California and Arizona, and today we are trusted by over 3 million drivers. We work with carriers that write the drivers standard companies decline, and we shop them for your options without judgment.
Why does car insurance go up after an accident?
Your rate goes up after an accident because insurers see a recent claim as a sign you may file another one, and recent claims often lead to higher premiums. The size of the increase depends on who was at fault, how much the claim cost, and your state's rules.
An at-fault accident affects your price more than a not-at-fault one. In most states, that effect lasts about three years before it starts to fade, as long as you stay covered. Some carriers also offer accident forgiveness, which can keep a first at-fault crash from raising your rate at all.
You are more than one bad day on the road. A higher rate is not a verdict on you as a driver. It is one company's math, and another company's math may be very different.
How much does auto insurance increase after an at-fault accident?
There is no honest single number for the average car insurance rate increase after an at-fault accident, because each carrier sets its own surcharge and applies it to your own price. What moves the increase:
Fault. An at-fault accident raises your rate more than one where the other driver was to blame.
What the claim paid. A claim with injuries or a large repair bill weighs more than a small one.
Your record before the accident. A first accident on a clean record is priced differently from a second one.
The carrier. Some add a large surcharge, some a small one, and some forgive a first accident.
Timing. The increase usually shows up when your policy renews, and it fades as the accident ages.
The way to find your real figure is to get quotes from several carriers for your exact record at the same time. For the steps to take at the scene and with the claim itself, see what to do after a car accident.
Just had an accident and quoted high? Get a quote that compares carriers for your record.
How do I find cheap car insurance rates after an accident?
You find affordable car insurance after an accident by comparing quotes from different providers for your exact record at the same time, because comparing multiple insurers is essential after an at-fault accident. One company may add a large surcharge while another barely moves. You cannot know which one prices you best without shopping them side by side.
Three steps that actually lower the number:
Compare many carriers at once. Each one weighs an accident differently, and the spread between the highest and lowest quote for the same driver can be large. Comparing again every six months can uncover better deals.
Adjust your coverage. Choosing your state's minimum limits, raising your deductible (the amount you pay before insurance pays), or dropping extras on an older car can lower the monthly cost. Older, high-mileage cars may be good candidates for dropping collision or comprehensive coverage. Make sure you still meet your state's legal minimum.
Ask for every discount. Paid-in-full, multi-car, prior coverage, and defensive-driving discounts can apply even after an accident, and usage-based or telematics programs can lower your rate further if you qualify. Bundling an auto policy with home insurance or insuring multiple vehicles can unlock more. See more ways to lower your auto insurance.
A-MAX does step one for you. We shop multiple carriers to help you find quality coverage and the best value for your situation, instead of you calling company after company.
Will switching companies after an at-fault accident save money?
Switching car insurance companies after an accident often saves money, because your current insurer already added a surcharge that a new carrier may not match. Loyalty does not earn a discount here, and the carrier that priced your accident highest is rarely the one with your best rate next term. The only way to know is to compare quotes, which is exactly what A-MAX does in one quote.
What car insurance coverage do I actually need after an accident?
After an accident you legally need at least your state's minimum liability coverage, which helps pay for bodily injury and property damage if you cause a crash. Liability is the required base everywhere.
Whether you keep collision and comprehensive (coverage for your own car) depends on your car's value and your budget, and full coverage usually means liability plus comprehensive and collision. On an older, paid-off car, dropping those can cut your price. On a financed or leased car, your lender usually requires them.
Uninsured motorist coverage can protect you if the other driver does not carry enough insurance, and medical payments coverage can help with medical costs after a crash.
Rules vary by state
Minimum coverage and how an accident is rated are set by your state. See your state's page for exact limits and local options:
Texas car insurance minimums (state minimum 30/60/25, per the Texas Department of Insurance)
California car insurance minimums (state minimum 30/60/15 under SB 1107, effective January 2025, per the California DMV)
Arizona car insurance minimums (state minimum 25/50/15, per the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT))
Texas drivers can also see insurance after an at-fault accident in Texas. In bigger metros, A-MAX also has local pages, such as Houston auto insurance and Dallas auto insurance.
Related reading: car insurance with a bad driving record, what to do after a car accident, and why your car insurance went up.
What to do next
Compare before you renew. Some insurers price a recent accident more favorably than others, especially non-standard carriers, which A-MAX works with every day. The factors that shape your price include who was at fault, your overall driving history, and whether you have rebuilt a clean driving record since.
Run one A-MAX quote that checks multiple carriers for your exact situation, see your best available rate, and start coverage the same day if it fits. You can do it online, by phone, or by walking into any office.
We shop for you, not for the insurance companies. That is what having your back means.
Related reading
About this page
Written by the A-MAX Editorial Team. Reviewed by Rajesh Sankaran, Licensed Insurance Agent. We review and update it as state rules and carrier availability change.
Last updated October 29, 2026
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
It depends on fault, claim cost, and your state, so there is no single number. An at-fault accident raises rates more than a not-at-fault one. The only way to know your real figure is to compare carriers, since each prices the same accident differently.
In most states an at-fault accident affects your rate for about three years, then its impact fades if you stay continuously covered. Some carriers move on sooner than others, which is one more reason to compare quotes rather than assume your current rate is fixed.
Yes. An at-fault accident raises your price, but the increase varies a lot by carrier. Shopping multiple companies for your exact record is the most reliable way to find your best available rate. A-MAX compares multiple carriers in a single quote.
Often, yes. Your current insurer has already applied a surcharge a different carrier may not. Comparing companies after an accident frequently surfaces a lower rate. There is no penalty for shopping, and A-MAX can run the full comparison for you in minutes.
Yes. A-MAX works with carriers that write drivers with recent accidents, tickets, and other record issues, and offers same-day coverage online, by phone, or in any office. Trusted by over 3 million drivers, we shop multiple carriers to find an option that fits your situation and budget.
A-MAX has offices in Texas, California and Arizona, and you can also get a quote by phone or online in those states.
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