# Will My Insurance Costs Go Up After a Car Crash? | Omega ![Woman surprised by expensive insurance bill after accident. Learn if your insurance will go up after an accident.](https://www.omegalaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/will-my-insurance-go-up-after-a-car-accident-300x200.jpg) Your auto insurance rates may go up after a car accident, but how much they are affected depends on various factors. The insurance rate increase typically depends on factors such as who is at fault for the crash, your driving history, and insurance company policies. The decision ultimately rests in the hands of your insurer, but a [Los Angeles car accident lawyer](https://www.omegalaw.com/los-angeles/car-accident-lawyer/) may also be able to help keep your premiums down by showing that you had less fault than the other driver. Contact Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys if you’ve been in a car accident and have insurance worries. ## Factors That Influence Insurance Rate Increases Several factors can affect whether your insurance will go up after a car accident insurance claim has been filed. Here are the most common ones: ### Fault in the Accident It stands to reason that if you cause an accident, the insurance company sees you as a higher risk. In this case, your rates may increase. If you’re not at fault, it’s unlikely you’ll see an increase in your rates. ### Severity of the Accident The extent of property damage and injuries resulting from the accident can impact your insurance rates. **More severe accidents** with higher claim payouts are more likely to increase premiums because the accident either cost the insurance company more money or showed you were a greater risk to insure. ### Your Driving History Insurance companies consider your overall driving record when determining car insurance premiums. If this is your first accident in an otherwise clean driving history, the impact on your rates may be less severe than if you have a history of accidents or traffic violations. ### Accident Forgiveness Programs Accident forgiveness is a program offered by some insurance companies to prevent your rates from increasing after your first at-fault accident. Check if your policy includes this feature. ### Policy Renewal Period Rate increases typically don’t take effect until your policy renewal period. This allows you to explore your options and find better rates with other providers if you fear your rates will increase significantly after a car accident. ## The Long-Term Impact on Your Insurance After a Car Accident While an accident may lead to short-term rate increases, an accident’s impact on your insurance isn’t necessarily permanent.  Typically, accidents affect your insurance rates for **three to five years**. After this period, the effect on your premiums should diminish or disappear entirely. However, this assumes you do not get into another accident. ### Hurt in an accident? Our personal injury lawyers in are here to help. [![Telephone Icon](https://www.omegalaw.com/wp-content/themes/omega-rebuild/assets/app/svg/telephone-white.svg)(310) 526-8383](tel:+13105268383) ## What If You’re Wrongly Assigned Fault? Being wrongly assigned fault in a car accident can seriously affect your insurance rates and legal standing. If you’re deemed at-fault after a car crash, you could have to pay more for your auto insurance policy and pay for any damages you’ve suffered. Fault is typically determined through: - Police reports - Witness statements - Physical evidence at the scene - Traffic laws and regulations Sometimes, these determinations can be flawed or incomplete, leading to **incorrect fault assignments**.  If you believe you’ve been wrongly assigned fault or insurance adjusters are giving you the runaround, an experienced [Los Angeles personal injury lawyer](https://www.omegalaw.com/) from Omega Law Group can help protect your rights and challenge the fault assignment. They can also help you seek compensation if you’re the actual victim in the case. Remember, **time is of the essence** in these situations. The sooner you act to challenge an incorrect fault determination, the better your chances of a favorable outcome. ## Types of Car Insurance Coverage and What They Do Before you can understand why your rate might change after an accident, it helps to know what you’re actually paying for. Most [automobile insurance](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/1-auto/)policies are really a bundle of several different coverages, and each one responds to a different kind of loss. Knowing which coverage paid out, and why, is often the first clue to how your premium will be affected. Here’s a breakdown of the main types you’ll see on a typical policy: ### Liability Insurance Liability insurance covers the other person when you’re at fault for an accident. It pays for their medical bills and vehicle repairs, up to your policy limits, if you caused the crash. Most states require some amount of liability coverage to legally drive. This is usually the coverage insurers look at most closely when deciding whether to raise your rate, since a liability payout means you were found responsible for someone else’s losses. ### Collision Coverage Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your own vehicle after a crash, regardless of who caused it. If you hit another car, a guardrail, or even a tree, this coverage is what gets your car fixed. Because collision coverage pays for your own damage, using it after an at-fault accident can affect your premium. ### Comprehensive Coverage Comprehensive coverage handles damage to your car that doesn’t come from a collision. Theft, vandalism, fire, and hail all fall under this coverage. It’s a separate line item from collision, even though people often lump the two together. Comprehensive claims are typically viewed as outside your control, so they tend to have a smaller impact on your rate than an at-fault accident would. ### Uninsured Motorist Coverage Uninsured motorist coverage steps in when the driver who hit you has no insurance at all, or not enough to cover your losses. Given how often drivers skip coverage or carry only the state minimum, this protection fills a real gap. Because uninsured motorist coverage pays out when the other driver is at fault, filing a claim under it typically shouldn’t raise your rate, though it’s worth confirming with your specific insurer. Omega Law Group often sees clients confused about which coverage applies to their situation, and untangling that is part of making sure you’re treated fairly after a crash. ### Injured in an accident? Our personal injury lawyers in are here to help. [![Telephone Icon](https://www.omegalaw.com/wp-content/themes/omega-rebuild/assets/app/svg/telephone-white.svg)(310) 526-8383](tel:+13105268383) ## Protect Your Interests After an Accident By Calling Omega Law Group While insurance rates going up after a car accident is common, it’s not inevitable or irreversible. Taking appropriate actions and seeking professional guidance can significantly change how your insurance costs will change after an accident. At [Omega Law Group](https://www.omegalaw.com/our-firm/), **we**‘**re committed to letting our family take care of your family**. Don’t let concerns about insurance rates add to your stress after an accident. You have the legal right to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages, and that is why people pay for liability insurance. Our legal team can help you understand your options and work towards the best possible outcome for your situation. The consultation is free, and we work on a contingency fee basis, so there is no upfront cost to learn more. --- Source: https://www.omegalaw.com/faqs/will-my-insurance-go-up-after-a-car-accident/