Getting Car Insurance After an Accident

How insurance companies treat drivers with accident history

An accident on your driving record does not automatically disqualify you from getting car insurance. Most insurers will cover you, but they charge more — sometimes significantly more — because accident history signals higher risk. The amount you pay depends on who was at fault, how recent the accident was, what type of accident it was, and which insurance company you approach.

Different insurers weigh accident history differently. Some companies specialize in higher-risk drivers and price accordingly. Others may deny you outright or require you to pay a deposit upfront. The only way to know what you will pay is to get quotes from multiple insurers, because the same accident can cost you 20 percent more with one company and 50 percent more with another.

Your state's insurance laws also matter. South Carolina requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, but the state does not set the rates insurers charge. That means you have leverage: if one company prices you out, another may not.

Key Takeaways

• Accident history raises your insurance rate with most companies, but does not prevent you from getting coverage — you will need to shop around to find the best price.
• The cost increase depends on fault, how recent the accident was, and the type of accident, so two drivers with accidents may pay very different rates.
• Some insurers specialize in drivers with accident history and may offer better rates than your current company.
• Your accident will typically stop affecting your rate after three to five years, though the exact timeline varies by insurer.
• Getting quotes from at least three to five companies is the only reliable way to find what you will actually pay.

What counts as an accident on your record

An accident is any collision you were involved in, whether you were at fault or not. If you hit another car, a parked vehicle, a pole, or a building, it goes on your record. If another driver hit you, that accident also appears on your record — but insurers treat it differently depending on whether you were found at fault.

At-fault accidents cost you more. If the police report or insurance investigation determined you caused the collision, you will see a larger rate increase than if you were hit by someone else. Some insurers may not increase your rate at all for accidents where you were not at fault, though others will raise it slightly.

Minor accidents (fender-benders with low repair costs) typically raise your rate less than major accidents. A collision that totaled a vehicle or caused injury will cost you more in premiums than one that caused a few hundred dollars in damage.

How long an accident affects your insurance rates

Most insurers keep accident information on your record for three to five years. After that window closes, the accident stops affecting your rate — though some companies may look back further if you have multiple accidents. The exact timeline depends on the insurance company, so you may want to ask your insurer when a specific accident will stop counting against you.

The accident stays on your driving record longer than it affects your insurance rate. South Carolina keeps accidents on your driving record for a longer period, but insurers typically ignore them once they reach a certain age. This means your insurance rate may drop before your driving record is completely clean.

If you have had multiple accidents, each one ages separately. Your oldest accident may stop affecting your rate while newer ones still do, so your rate may drop gradually rather than all at once.

Finding insurers who cover drivers with accident history

Standard insurers (the large national companies) will usually cover you after an accident, but they charge more. Some of these companies have separate divisions for higher-risk drivers, and those divisions may offer better rates than the main company. It is worth asking your current insurer whether they have a separate program for drivers with accident history.

Non-standard insurers specialize in drivers with accidents, violations, or other risk factors. These companies expect to insure people with accident history and price accordingly. They are not cheaper across the board, but they may be cheaper than a standard insurer's rate for your specific situation. Names vary by region, but examples include companies that market specifically to drivers with accidents or violations.

Getting quotes is the only way to compare. Call or visit websites for at least three to five companies — mix standard insurers with non-standard ones — and provide the same information to each (same vehicle, same coverage limits, same accident details). The quotes will vary widely, and the cheapest option may surprise you.

What information you need to provide when getting quotes

Insurers will ask for details about your accident: the date it happened, whether you were at fault, what vehicle was involved, whether anyone was injured, and the approximate cost of damage. Have your police report handy if you have one — it contains the official information of fault and may speed up the quoting process.

You will also need standard information: your driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), current coverage (if you have it), and your driving history. If you have had other violations or accidents, disclose them. Insurers will find them anyway through a motor vehicle report, and lying about your history can give them grounds to deny a claim later.

Be honest about how you use the vehicle. If you drive it for work, commute long distances, or park it on the street, tell the insurer — these factors affect your rate. The more accurate your information, the more reliable your quote will be.

Coverage options and cost trade-offs

After an accident, you have choices about what coverage to buy. Liability coverage (required by South Carolina law) pays for damage you cause to other people or their property. Collision coverage pays for damage to your own vehicle from a collision, regardless of fault. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from theft, weather, or other non-collision events.

If you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, your lender will require collision and comprehensive coverage. If you own the vehicle outright, you can choose to carry only liability — but that means you pay out of pocket if you cause an accident and damage your own car. Many drivers choose a higher deductible (the amount you pay before insurance kicks in) to lower their monthly premium.

After an accident, raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can noticeably lower your rate. This trade-off makes sense if you have savings to cover the higher deductible and do not expect another accident soon. If you are uncertain, get quotes at multiple deductible levels so you can see the difference.

Steps to take when shopping for insurance with accident history

Start by gathering your accident details: the date, police report number (if available), whether you were at fault, and the repair cost or total loss amount. Write these down so you can provide consistent information to each insurer.

Get quotes from at least three companies. Use online quote tools if available, but also call directly — some companies offer phone-only discounts or can explain their underwriting process in ways a website cannot. Provide identical information to each company so the quotes are actually comparable.

When you receive quotes, compare the total annual cost, not just the monthly payment. A company offering a lower monthly rate may have higher deductibles or lower coverage limits. Read the fine print to understand what you are actually getting.

Once you choose a company, ask about discounts you may may have access to for: bundling home and auto insurance, paying in full upfront, maintaining continuous coverage, or completing a defensive driving course. Some insurers offer discounts specifically for drivers who take a defensive driving class, which can offset part of the accident-related rate increase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my insurance company drop me because of an accident?

Most insurers will not drop you for a single accident, especially if you were not at fault. However, if you have multiple accidents or violations within a short time, your insurer may choose not to renew your policy when it expires. If this happens, you can still find coverage through non-standard insurers, though the cost will be higher.

How much will my rate increase after an accident?

Rate increases vary widely by company and accident details. An at-fault accident might raise your rate 20 to 50 percent or more, while an accident where you were not at fault may raise it 5 to 15 percent or not at all. The only way to know your specific increase is to get quotes from your current insurer and others.

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

Yes, but your rates will be higher and your options more limited. Standard insurers may decline you or charge significantly more. Non-standard insurers will cover you, but expect to pay a premium. Shopping around becomes even more important with multiple accidents.

Does a defensive driving course lower my rate after an accident?

Some insurers offer a discount (typically 5 to 10 percent) if you complete a state-approved defensive driving course. The discount does not erase the accident-related increase, but it can reduce it. Ask your insurer whether they offer this discount before you enroll in a course.

Will my accident eventually stop affecting my insurance rate?

Yes. Most insurers stop counting an accident against you after three to five years. After that point, your rate should drop back closer to what it would be without the accident. The exact timeline depends on your insurer, so ask them directly when a specific accident will age off your record.