Filing a claim does not automatically raise your rates, but insurers will see it and may use it to decide what to charge you
When you file a personal injury claim after a motor vehicle accident, your own insurance company will learn about it. They will not automatically drop you or triple your premium, but they will have the information in your file. What happens next depends on whether you were found at fault, what your policy says, and which insurer you have — there is real variation between companies and between states.
The key distinction is this: a claim you file for your own injuries (through your medical payments coverage or uninsured motorist coverage) affects your record differently than a claim filed against you by someone else. If you were not at fault, many insurers will not raise your rate at all. If you were partially or fully at fault, most will raise it, though by how much varies widely.
Key Takeaways
- Filing a claim for your own injuries does not automatically raise your rate, especially if you were not at fault for the accident.
- If you were found at fault, your insurer will likely raise your rate at renewal, though the amount depends on your company and state rules.
- A claim stays on your record for three to five years in most states, meaning rate increases can last that long.
- Some insurers offer accident forgiveness programs that prevent a rate increase after your first at-fault accident, but you usually have to ask about it or pay extra for it.
- Switching insurers after a claim is possible, but your new company will see the claim history and may charge more than your current insurer.
What happens when you file a claim for your own injuries
If you were injured in an accident that was not your fault, and you file a claim through your own policy's medical payments coverage or uninsured motorist coverage, your insurer will record the claim. In most states, an insurer cannot raise your rate based on a claim you filed if you were not at fault. Some states have laws that explicitly protect you from rate increases in this situation.
However, your insurer will still see the claim in your file. If you later file another claim, or if you have a pattern of claims, they may use that history to decide whether to renew your policy at all. Being claim-free is always better for your rates than having a history, even if individual claims did not trigger a rate increase.
The practical effect: filing a claim for your own injuries when you are not at fault usually does not cost you money at renewal, but it does create a record that could affect future decisions about your coverage or rates.
If you were found at fault, expect a rate increase at renewal
If the accident was your fault, or if you were found partially at fault, your insurer will almost certainly raise your rate when your policy renews. The increase is not automatic — they have to follow state rules about how much they can raise it and how they calculate it — but it is the standard outcome. The amount varies: some insurers raise rates by 10 to 15 percent after a single at-fault accident, while others go higher. Your state's insurance commissioner's office publishes rate increase data for major insurers, which you can check to see what is typical in your area.
The rate increase typically lasts for three to five years, depending on your state and insurer. After that period, the accident falls off your record and your rate should return to what it would have been without the accident. Some states allow insurers to keep the accident on your record longer if it was a serious incident like a DUI or a major injury claim.
If you have a clean driving record otherwise, the increase may be smaller than if you already had prior accidents or violations. Insurers use your full history, not just the most recent claim.
Accident forgiveness and other ways to limit rate increases
Some insurance companies offer accident forgiveness programs that prevent your rate from going up after your first at-fault accident. This is not automatic — you usually have to ask for it, or it comes as part of a higher-priced policy tier. Some insurers offer it only to customers who have been with them for a certain number of years or who have no prior accidents.
If your insurer offers accident forgiveness, ask what it costs and whether you already have it. It is worth paying for if you are a nervous driver or live in an area with heavy traffic, because one accident can cost you hundreds of dollars a year for years. If you do not have it and your insurer offers it, you can sometimes add it at your next renewal.
Another option is a usage-based insurance program (sometimes called telematics or "safe driver" programs), where your insurer monitors your driving through an app or device. If you drive safely after an accident, you may earn a discount that offsets some of the rate increase. These programs are optional, and you can remove the monitoring device if you change your mind.
How long a claim stays on your record
In most states, an accident or claim stays on your insurance record for three to five years. After that, your insurer is supposed to stop using it to calculate your rate. However, the exact timeline depends on your state and your insurer's policy. Some states allow longer lookback periods for serious incidents.
You can ask your insurer directly how long they keep claims on record and when yours will stop affecting your rate. They are required to tell you. If you believe an insurer is using an old claim to justify a rate increase beyond the allowed period, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner.
Whether to switch insurers after a claim
After a claim, you may be tempted to switch to a cheaper insurer. This is legal, and you can do it at any time. However, your new insurer will see the claim in your driving record and may charge you more than your current insurer does, because they have no loyalty discount or history with you. It is worth getting quotes from other companies to compare, but do not assume a new insurer will be cheaper just because your current one raised your rate.
If you were not at fault, some insurers will not raise your rate at all, so shopping around makes sense. If you were at fault, most insurers will charge you something for the accident, so the difference between companies may be smaller than you expect. Get quotes before you decide to switch.
One important note: do not let your current policy lapse while you are shopping. A gap in coverage can be more expensive in the long run than staying with your current insurer, because new companies charge more for applicants with lapses in coverage.
What a settlement or lawsuit outcome means for your insurance
If you settle a personal injury claim or win a lawsuit against the other driver, that does not change how your own insurance company treats the accident. Your insurer's decision about your rate is based on who was at fault for the accident, not on whether you won money in a lawsuit. You can win a settlement and still have your rate go up if you were found at fault, or you can lose a lawsuit and still keep your rate stable if you were not at fault.
The settlement or judgment is a separate matter from your insurance record. It affects your own finances and the other driver's liability insurance, but it does not override your insurer's assessment of fault for rating purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my insurance company drop me after I file a claim?
Not usually, unless you file multiple claims in a short time or your claim involves fraud. One claim, even an at-fault accident, is not enough to get dropped. However, if you have multiple claims or violations, your insurer may choose not to renew your policy at the end of the term. You will get notice before that happens, and you can shop for a new insurer.
Can I hide a claim from a new insurance company?
No. When you explore for insurance, you are required to disclose accidents and claims from the past three to five years. Your new insurer will also pull your driving record, which includes accidents reported to police. Lying on an process can void your coverage and is insurance fraud. Always disclose what happened.
Does filing a claim affect my ability to get other insurance?
A claim can make it harder to get homeowners or umbrella insurance, because insurers look at your full claims history across all policies. If you have filed multiple claims in a few years, some companies may decline to insure you or charge more. One auto claim usually does not affect other types of insurance, but ask when you explore.
What if the other driver was at fault but their insurance is denying the claim?
If the other driver's insurer denies fault, you can file a claim through your own uninsured motorist or collision coverage while you dispute it. This protects you while the fault question is being resolved. Your rate should not go up if you are eventually found not at fault, but filing the claim does create a record your insurer will see.
Can I negotiate with my insurer about a rate increase after a claim?
You can ask, but insurers use formulas to calculate rates and do not usually negotiate individual increases. What you can do is ask about discounts you may not have — bundling, safety features, good driver discounts, or accident forgiveness — that might offset the increase. You can also shop around to see if another insurer will charge less for the same coverage.