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Jerry Data & Research
How much will you have to pay for car insurance?
I got into a car accident a few weeks ago but my insurance hasn't changed yet. I'm expecting my rate to bump up but I don't know by how much. How do you calculate car insurance?
Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
It’s hard to know exactly how much you’ll have to pay for car insurance after an accident. But the average national increase in premiums after an at-fault accident is around $637 per year.
Of course, the actual figure will depend on a variety of factors, including:
- Age. If you’re in your teens or early 20s, the increase might be even higher! Young drivers are already considered high risk, so an accident will have a big impact on their premium.
- Provider. Depending on your provider, the increase can range from as little as $165 to as much as $800 per year.
- Amount of damage. If you only scratched the other car, you will likely see a lower increase than if you were involved in a full-blown accident.
The increase may seem severe, but try to remember that it’s temporary. If it’s only one accident, it will usually only stay on your record for three to five years. Keep a clean driving record in the meantime, and it’ll be gone before you know it!
Some providers also offer
accident forgiveness
—a coverage add-on that stops the insurance company from increasing your rate after your first accident. If you’re unsure, it can’t hurt to ask if you have it.Of course, the easiest way to make sure you aren’t paying too much for insurance is to get the
Jerry
app. A licensed broker, Jerry helps you gather and compare competitive quotes from top insurance companies for free. And if you find a better rate, Jerry will even help you switch plans and cancel your old policy.View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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