Getting Car Insurance After Multiple Accidents

What happens to your insurance after multiple accidents

After two or more accidents in a short period, your insurance company will raise your rates significantly — often 20 to 40 percent or more per accident, depending on fault and your state's rules. Some insurers will drop you entirely, especially if the accidents happened within three years. When that happens, you move into the high-risk market, where you'll pay substantially more for basic coverage and may need an SR-22 form to prove you're insured.

The damage to your record is temporary but real. Most accidents stop affecting your rates after three to five years, though some insurers look back longer. In the meantime, you have concrete steps to take: shop for new coverage, understand what your current insurer will and won't cover, and know which companies specialize in drivers with accident histories.

Your state's insurance commissioner's office keeps a list of insurers licensed to write high-risk policies in your state. That list is your actual starting point, not a general search engine.

Key Takeaways

• After multiple accidents, standard insurers often drop you or raise rates 20 to 40 percent per accident, pushing you into the high-risk market where you'll pay more for the same coverage.
• Your state's insurance commissioner maintains a list of companies that write high-risk policies — this is the only list you need to contact for quotes.
• Accidents stop affecting your rates after three to five years in most states, though some insurers look back seven years or longer.
• If your state requires an SR-22, you must maintain continuous coverage without lapses, or you'll face license suspension and have to restart the filing period.
• Bundling home and auto policies, paying in full instead of monthly, and taking a defensive driving course can lower your rates even in the high-risk market.

How insurers price policies after accidents

Insurance companies use a system called actuarial rating to set your premium based on risk. After an accident, you move into a higher risk category. The exact increase depends on three things: whether you were at fault, how severe the accident was, and your state's rules about how far back insurers can look.

At-fault accidents cost more than not-at-fault ones. A minor fender-bender where you were at fault might raise your rate 15 to 25 percent. A serious collision or multiple accidents can double your premium or more. Not-at-fault accidents still raise your rate at some insurers, though usually less — typically 5 to 15 percent — because the company assumes you're statistically more likely to be in another accident regardless of fault.

Your state sets the maximum increase an insurer can apply. California, for example, limits rate increases to 20 percent for the first accident. Other states allow higher increases. Check your state insurance commissioner's website for the specific limits in your state.

Finding insurers who will cover you

After multiple accidents, your current insurer may not renew your policy. When that happens, you need to find a company that specializes in high-risk drivers. These are called non-standard insurers, and they exist specifically to cover drivers with accident histories, DUIs, or other violations.

Start by going to your state insurance commissioner's website and searching for "high-risk insurers" or "non-standard insurers." The commissioner publishes a list of every company licensed to write policies in your state. Call three to five companies from that list and ask for quotes. Do not rely on online comparison sites, which often exclude high-risk insurers or show incomplete information.

Major companies that write high-risk policies include Acceptance Insurance, Bristol West, Direct General, and Infinity. Regional insurers also specialize in this market. The companies available to you depend on your state and your specific driving record. Getting quotes from multiple insurers is essential because rates vary widely — one company might charge $200 a month while another charges $350 for identical coverage.

What your rate depends on beyond accidents

Your premium after accidents is not determined by accidents alone. Insurers also consider your age, driving history before the accidents, the type of vehicle you drive, how much you drive annually, and whether you bundle policies. A 35-year-old with one accident and a clean record otherwise will pay far less than a 22-year-old with two accidents and a speeding ticket.

Your coverage choices matter too. Liability limits, deductibles, and optional coverages like collision and comprehensive all affect the final price. After accidents, you may be required to carry higher liability limits than your state's minimum — some insurers mandate this automatically. Choosing a higher deductible ($1,000 instead of $500) will lower your monthly payment but means you pay more out of pocket if you're in another accident.

Where you live and park your car also affects the rate. Urban areas with higher theft and accident rates cost more than rural areas. If you can park in a garage instead of on the street, some insurers will give you a small discount.

Steps to lower your rate in the high-risk market

You cannot erase accidents from your record, but you can reduce what you pay for coverage. The most effective strategies are bundling, paying in full, and taking a defensive driving course.

Bundle your policies. If you have homeowners or renters insurance, adding auto to the same company typically saves 10 to 25 percent on your auto premium. High-risk insurers offer this discount just like standard insurers do. Ask about it when you get quotes.

Pay your premium in full. Paying monthly costs more because the insurer charges a fee for installment plans. Paying the full six-month or annual premium upfront can save 5 to 10 percent. If cash flow is tight, this may not be possible, but if you can manage it, the savings add up.

Complete a defensive driving course. Many insurers offer a 5 to 10 percent discount if you finish an approved defensive driving course. The course takes four to eight hours and costs $20 to $50. Some states allow you to take it online. Ask your insurer which courses they recognize before you enroll.

Maintain continuous coverage. If your state requires an SR-22, any lapse in coverage — even a single day — restarts the filing period. If you're required to carry an SR-22 for three years and you let your policy lapse, you start over at year one. This is the single most expensive mistake to make.

How long accidents stay on your record

Most accidents stop affecting your rates after three to five years. However, this varies by state and by insurer. Some states have laws that limit how far back insurers can look; others do not. Some insurers look back only three years; others look back seven.

Check your state insurance commissioner's website for the specific lookback period in your state. Then, when you get quotes, ask each insurer directly: "How far back do you look at accidents?" The answer may differ from company to company.

Even after an accident falls off your rate calculation, it remains on your driving record. Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles keeps accident records for seven to ten years depending on the state. This does not affect your insurance rate after the lookback period ends, but it does remain visible to law enforcement and to your insurer if you're ever in another accident.

What to do if your insurer drops you

If your insurer sends a non-renewal notice, you have a grace period — usually 30 to 60 days — to find new coverage. During this time, you are still insured under your current policy. Do not let this period expire without securing new coverage, or you will be uninsured and in violation of your state's mandatory insurance law.

Some states have an insurer of last resort called a state pool or assigned risk pool. If you cannot find coverage in the private market, you can request assignment to the state pool. This guarantees you coverage, but the rates are typically the highest available. Contact your state insurance commissioner's office to learn whether your state has a pool and how to request assignment.

If you're dropped and you have an SR-22 requirement, notify your SR-22 filing service immediately. They can help you find a new insurer quickly and ensure the SR-22 is filed with your new policy without a lapse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my rates ever go back to normal after multiple accidents?

Yes, but it takes time. After three to five years, most accidents stop affecting your rate. However, you must maintain continuous, clean coverage during that period — no lapses, no new violations. If you get another accident or ticket, the clock restarts. Some insurers look back longer than others, so rates may not fully normalize even after the lookback period ends.

Can I get insurance if I was at fault in both accidents?

Yes. Non-standard insurers cover drivers at fault in multiple accidents. You will pay more than someone with fewer accidents, but coverage is available. Shop with multiple high-risk insurers because rates vary significantly based on how each company weighs multiple at-fault accidents.

What if I can't afford the high-risk rates?

Contact your state insurance commissioner's office about low-income assistance programs. Some states offer subsidies or discounts for drivers who cannot afford standard rates. You can also ask about payment plans that spread the premium over more months, though this typically costs more overall. Raising your deductible will lower your monthly payment but increases what you pay if you're in another accident.

Do I have to stay with a high-risk insurer forever?

No. Once your accidents age off your record — typically three to five years — you can shop for standard insurance again. Some standard insurers will take you back after the lookback period ends. Start getting quotes from standard insurers once your oldest accident reaches the age limit in your state.

What happens if I let my SR-22 lapse?

Your state will suspend your license immediately. You cannot drive legally until you obtain new coverage and file a new SR-22. You will also have to pay a reinstatement fee to get your license back. This is why maintaining continuous coverage is critical if you have an SR-22 requirement.