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. 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 do I find cheap car insurance after an accident?

You find cheap car insurance after an accident by comparing several carriers for your exact record at the same time. One company may add a large surcharge for an at-fault accident 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. The spread between the highest and lowest quote for the same driver can be large.
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. 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. See more ways to lower your auto insurance.

A-MAX does step one for you. We specialize in high-risk drivers and shop multiple carriers, then show you the lowest available option for your situation instead of you calling company after company.

Will switching companies after an accident save money?

Switching 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. The carrier that priced your accident the highest is rarely the one with your best rate next term. The only way to know is to compare, which is exactly what A-MAX does in one quote.

What coverage do I actually need after an accident?

After an accident you legally need at least your state's minimum liability coverage, which pays for injuries and damage you cause to others. 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. On an older, paid-off car, dropping those can cut your price. On a financed car, your lender usually requires them.

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: cheapest 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. Run one A-MAX quote that checks multiple carriers for your record, 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 [Licensed A-MAX Insurance Agent, NPN number, add before publishing]
Last updated: [Month Year]

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.