At-Fault Claim Impact Calculator
See how much one at-fault accident really costs — the surcharge added to your premium over the next three to five years.
Your numbers
3-year total extra cost
$1,320
added premium from the claim
First-year increase
$660
Full surcharge period (3 yrs)
$1,320
Insight — An at-fault claim typically raises your premium for three to five years, and the cumulative surcharge can rival the payout itself for small claims. When the damage is close to your deductible, paying out of pocket and keeping a clean record is often cheaper — and shopping carriers after an incident frequently softens the increase.
Shop your insurance the smart way
Know your benchmark here, then compare real quotes from several carriers — prices for the same driver vary a lot.
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How this tool estimates: with a typical 30–50% first-year surcharge that phases out over three to five years, a single at-fault claim adds roughly 0.9–1.2x of one year's premium across the full surcharge window. Adjust the surcharge and period above to match your insurer.
Good to know
Clear, practical answers about the claim impact calculator.
How much does insurance go up after an at-fault accident?＋
Most insurers apply a surcharge of about 30–50% in the first year after an at-fault claim, then phase it down over three to five years. The exact amount depends on your carrier, state, claim size and prior record.
Should I file a claim or pay out of pocket?＋
If the damage is only modestly above your deductible, the multi-year surcharge can cost more than the payout — so paying out of pocket may be cheaper and keeps your record clean. For large claims, filing almost always makes sense.
Can I lower my premium after an accident?＋
Yes. Surcharges aren't uniform across insurers, so shopping your policy after an incident often finds a carrier that weights the claim less heavily. Accident-forgiveness programs and a renewed clean streak also help bring it back down.
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