Getting into a car accident can be stressful enough without worrying about what will happen to your insurance afterward. If you’re found responsible for an accident, you may have questions about whether your insurance will cover the damage, whether your rates will increase, and how long the accident could affect your policy.
For drivers searching for car insurance in Springfield, Ohio, understanding what can happen after an at-fault accident is an important part of making informed insurance decisions.
While every situation is different, an at-fault accident can affect your insurance costs and coverage options. Knowing what to expect—and understanding what factors insurance companies consider—can help you make better decisions before and after an accident.
What Does “At-Fault” Mean in an Auto Accident?
An at-fault accident generally means that you are determined to be responsible, either fully or partially, for causing the accident.
For example, you could be considered at fault if you:
- Rear-end another vehicle
- Cause an accident while changing lanes
- Fail to yield the right of way
- Hit another vehicle while distracted
- Cause a collision while speeding or violating another traffic law
Determining fault isn’t always straightforward. Insurance companies may review police reports, photographs, statements from drivers and witnesses, traffic laws, and other evidence when evaluating an accident.
If another driver is determined to be responsible, their liability insurance may be responsible for covered damages you sustain. If you are at fault, your own liability coverage may help pay for injuries or property damage you cause to others, subject to your policy limits and terms.
Will an At-Fault Accident Make Your Insurance Go Up?
One of the biggest concerns drivers have after an accident is whether their insurance premium will increase.
An at-fault accident can cause your insurance premium to increase, but the impact varies based on several factors. Insurance companies evaluate risk differently, and an accident doesn’t necessarily result in the same rate increase for every driver.
Your insurer may consider:
- The severity of the accident
- The amount of the claim
- Whether anyone was injured
- Your previous driving history
- How many accidents or violations you’ve had
- How long you’ve been insured with the company
- Your policy and the insurer’s rating practices
In our article “Top 5 Things That Raise Your Car Insurance Rates—and How to Lower Them”, we take a closer look at the factors that can affect your premium and offer practical ways drivers may be able to keep their insurance costs under control.
How Long Can an Accident Affect Your Insurance?
There isn’t one universal answer for how long an accident will affect your insurance premium.
Insurance companies have their own underwriting and rating guidelines, and the effect of an accident may diminish over time as you establish a clean driving record.
Your driving history can be particularly important when your policy renews or when you’re shopping for new coverage. Multiple accidents or traffic violations may signal a higher level of risk to an insurer than a single isolated incident.
This is one reason safe driving habits are so valuable. Avoiding additional accidents and violations can help demonstrate a lower-risk driving history over time.
What If You Have Accident Forgiveness?
Some auto insurance companies offer an option commonly known as accident forgiveness.
Depending on the insurer and policy, accident forgiveness may prevent a qualifying first accident from causing an increase in your premium.
However, accident forgiveness isn’t automatically included with every policy, and eligibility requirements can vary. Some programs may require a driver to maintain a clean driving record for a certain period before becoming eligible.
If avoiding a potential rate increase after a first accident is important to you, ask us whether accident forgiveness is available and whether you may qualify.
Does Your Insurance Pay for Damage to Your Own Car?
If you cause an accident, your liability coverage generally addresses injuries or property damage you cause to other people, subject to your policy limits.
But liability coverage alone doesn’t generally pay to repair your own vehicle after an at-fault collision.
That’s where collision coverage can become important.
Collision coverage is designed to help pay for covered damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision, subject to your deductible and policy terms. This can include an accident involving another vehicle or a single-vehicle accident such as hitting a guardrail or pole.
Our article “Liability vs. Full Coverage Car Insurance” explains the difference between liability protection and broader coverage for your own vehicle.
You can also read our guide, “What Full Coverage Auto Insurance Really Means in Springfield, Ohio”, for a closer look at how liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage work together.
What Happens If Your Car Is Damaged in the Accident?
If you have appropriate collision coverage and your vehicle is damaged in an accident, your insurer may help pay for covered repairs after your deductible.
For example, if your vehicle sustains $5,000 in covered damage and you have a $1,000 collision deductible, you would generally be responsible for the deductible while your insurance would cover the remaining eligible amount, subject to the policy’s terms and limits.
If the cost to repair your vehicle exceeds its value, the vehicle may instead be considered a total loss. In that situation, the insurer generally determines the vehicle’s actual cash value and applies the applicable deductible.
This is one reason understanding your deductible before an accident is so important.
What If Someone Else Was Driving Your Car?
Another factor that can complicate an accident is who was behind the wheel.
If a family member, roommate, friend, or another person regularly drives your vehicle, it’s important to make sure your insurance company knows about household drivers and other individuals who regularly have access to the car.
Our article, “The Impact of Undisclosed Drivers on Your Auto Insurance and Why Updating Your Policy Matters”, explains why keeping your driver information updated is important and discusses potential problems that can arise when regular drivers aren’t disclosed.
Insurance rules can vary, so if you’re unsure whether someone should be listed on your policy, we’re happy to help you review your situation.
What Should You Do After an At-Fault Accident?
If you are involved in an accident, your first priority should always be safety.
If possible, move to a safe location and check for injuries. Contact emergency services when necessary and follow applicable reporting requirements.
You should also document the accident as thoroughly as possible. Take photographs of the vehicles, surrounding area, road conditions, and visible damage. Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver and obtain witness information when appropriate.
Avoid admitting fault at the scene. Even if you believe you caused the accident, the circumstances may be more complicated than they initially appear.
Then notify your insurance company or agent as soon as possible and provide an accurate description of what happened.
Can You Still Get Affordable Car Insurance After an Accident?
Yes. Having an accident doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be stuck with unaffordable insurance forever.
There are several ways drivers may be able to manage their insurance costs after an accident.
First, focus on maintaining a clean driving record going forward. Avoiding additional tickets and accidents can help demonstrate that the incident was isolated.
You can also ask us to review available discounts. Depending on your insurer and circumstances, discounts may be available for safe driving, multiple policies, low mileage, responsible driving habits, or other qualifying factors.
Should You Shop for New Insurance After an Accident?
It can be worthwhile to compare your options after an accident, particularly if your premium increases significantly.
However, shopping for a new policy doesn’t necessarily mean you should automatically choose the cheapest option. Coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, discounts, claims service, and the financial strength of the insurance company can all matter.
As an independent insurance agency, we can compare options from multiple insurance companies rather than limiting you to one insurer. This gives us the opportunity to look for a combination of coverage and price that makes sense for your particular situation.
Review Your Coverage Before You Need It
An accident is not the ideal time to discover that your liability limits are too low or that you don’t have collision coverage on a vehicle you depend on every day.
Review your policy periodically and make sure your coverage reflects your current situation. Changes such as purchasing a new vehicle, adding a driver, moving, changing how much you drive, or paying off a car loan can all be good reasons to revisit your policy.
In our article “Why Ohio Drivers Should Review Their Auto Insurance Every Year”, we discuss why an annual policy review can help drivers keep their coverage up to date and look for potential savings.
How Link-Hellmuth Insurance Can Help
At Link-Hellmuth Insurance, we understand that dealing with an accident can be overwhelming. That’s why our team provides local support throughout the insurance process.
We can help you understand your coverage before an accident happens, answer questions about deductibles and claims, and help you review your policy when your circumstances change.
Our goal is to make insurance easier to understand while helping you find coverage that provides the protection you need at a price that fits your budget.
Whether you’ve recently been involved in an accident or simply want to make sure you’re prepared for one, we’re here to help.
Get the Right Car Insurance in Springfield, Ohio
An at-fault accident can affect your insurance costs, but it doesn’t have to define your insurance future. Understanding your coverage, maintaining safe driving habits, reviewing available discounts, and periodically comparing your options can all help you manage your insurance costs over time.
The best time to review your car insurance in Springfield, Ohio is before you need to file a claim.
If you’re concerned about your current coverage, recently had an accident, or simply want to see whether you could get better value from your auto insurance, our team at Link-Hellmuth Insurance is ready to help.