Not-at-fault accidents will show up on your driving record. Whether they impact your insurance rate depends on the accident circumstances, your existing claims history, and your

car insurance

coverage.

All car accidents will appear on your driving record, whether or not you were at fault.
Most insurance companies will not increase your insurance premium substantially after a not-at-fault accident—but some will.
If fault is assigned and you’re more than 50% culpable, you will likely see an increase in your insurance rates.

What is a not-at-fault accident?

In a not-at-fault accident, you don’t bear any fault for the collision.

Let’s say you’re minding your own business and following the law at a stoplight. Suddenly, someone rams into you from behind and damages your rear bumper. Sure, you were involved in an accident—but you were not at fault.

Does a no-fault accident go on your driving record?

Yes. Whether you’re at fault or not, the accident will still end up on your driving record.

Your driving record is separate from your insurance claims record. So even if you don’t file a claim for the accident, expect to see it on a driving record check if you filed a police report.

A no-fault accident could increase your insurance rates

Most insurance companies will raise your premium for filing a claim, regardless of whether you were at fault. It will probably be a more minor surcharge than an at-fault accident, but your rate will still go up.

If you already have a history of auto insurance claims, it’s far more likely that your accident will be seen as a pattern of risk—even if you weren’t at fault.

The bottom line: insurance companies can use no-fault claims as a reason to bump up your rate.

If the at-fault driver was uninsured or didn’t have enough insurance to cover your medical costs or vehicle repairs, you may need to file your own uninsured motorist claim. In this situation, some providers won’t raise your rates since it’s a no-fault claim.

No-fault states

If you live in a

no-fault state

, your

collision coverage

pays for damage to your car and

personal injury protection

(aka “no-fault insurance”) pays for your medical bills regardless of who is at fault.

This is different from at-fault states, which require the at-fault party's insurance to cover the other driver.

This doesn't mean that there's no fault assigned at all, though. Your car insurance company will still consider the fault, and no-fault states still require

liability insurance

for this reason.

What to do after a no-fault accident

If your insurance company raises your rate after a no-fault accident, it may be time to look for a new provider. The lowest price before an accident—even a no-fault accident—may not be the lowest price after.

You’re entitled to shop around. New surcharges on your auto insurance policy won’t go into effect until your policy renewal date, so you have plenty of time to research better offers.

Aim to compare rates from at least 3-5 providers to make sure you’re getting the best rate for the coverage you need.