We Fight For You. Even after an accident.

For over 20 years, A-MAX has helped more than 1 million drivers across Texas, California, and Arizona. We specialize in high-risk drivers, the ones standard companies decline, and we shop multiple carriers to find 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. Car insurance rates rise by about 24% on average after an accident. 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 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 is cheapest for you without shopping them side by side.

Three steps that actually lower the number:

1. 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.
2. 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. Choosing higher deductibles can cut costs by roughly 10% to 15%. Older, high-mileage cars may be good candidates for dropping collision or comprehensive coverage. Make sure you still meet your state's legal minimum.
3. Ask for every discount. Paid-in-full, multi-car, prior coverage, and defensive-driving discounts can apply even after an accident. A defensive driving course can often earn 5% to 10% off, and usage-based or telematics programs can lower your rate further if you qualify. See more ways to lower your auto insurance.

Bundling an auto policy with home insurance or insuring multiple vehicles can unlock more discounts, often in the range of 10% to 25%.

A-MAX does step one for you. We specialize in high-risk drivers and shop multiple providers 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. Switching can save real money, sometimes hundreds a year. 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 MVD)

In bigger metros, A-MAX also has local pages, such as Houston auto insurance and Dallas auto insurance.

Related reading: cheap car insurance for a bad driving record, what to do after a car accident, and why is my car insurance so high.

What to do next

Compare before you renew. Some insurers price high-risk drivers more favorably than others after an accident, especially in non-standard insurance, where A-MAX specializes. 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 lowest available rate, and bind 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 Real People Fighting for Real People means.

About this page

Written by the A-MAX Insurance Editorial Team
Reviewed by Rajesh Sankaran
Last updated: June 2026

A-MAX Insurance Services, Inc. has helped Texas, California, and Arizona drivers find auto coverage since 2002. This page is for general information and does not replace advice from a licensed agent in your state.