How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance Policy?

How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance? : When you’ve been in a car accident, one of the first questions that pops into your head is: “How long does an accident stay on your insurance?” The truth is, the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. The length of time depends on several factors, such as the insurance company, the state you live in, whether you were at fault, and even the severity of the accident. On average, accidents stay on your insurance record for three to five years, but in some cases, they may impact your premiums for up to seven years.

In this guide, we’ll break everything down for you—how long an accident affects your insurance, how at-fault vs. no-fault accidents differ, state-by-state variations, and what you can do to minimize the financial hit.

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Understanding How Accidents Affect Insurance

Insurance companies base premiums on risk. If you’ve had an accident, your insurer views you as a higher risk to insure, even if it wasn’t entirely your fault. This increased risk often translates into higher premiums for a set period.

Here’s what typically happens after an accident:

Your driving record updates – The state DMV records the incident.
Your insurance CLUE report updates – The Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) logs accidents and claims, which insurers check when setting rates.
Your premium rises – Depending on the severity, your rates can jump anywhere from 20% to 50% (or more).
Time resets after the accident – Each new accident restarts the clock on how long your record is affected.

Accidents usually influence rates for 3 to 5 years, but factors like DUIs or reckless driving can linger for up to 10 years in some states.

How Long Does an At-Fault Accident Stay on Your Insurance?

If you caused the accident, insurers typically penalize you longer compared to no-fault or minor claims. On average:

At-fault accidents stay on your insurance for 3 to 5 years.
Major accidents (e.g., with severe injuries, DUI, or multiple claims) can remain for 7 to 10 years.

Insurance companies like Progressive, State Farm, Allstate, and Geico often review your driving record over the last 36 months when setting rates. However, serious incidents may extend that review period.

Key Factors That Extend Duration:

Severity of the crash – More damage = longer impact.
Number of claims filed – Multiple accidents add years to your record.
Your insurer’s policy – Some companies forgive one accident but not multiple ones.
Your state laws – DMV rules dictate retention periods on your driving record.

How Long Does a No-Fault Accident Stay on Your Insurance?

Many drivers assume no-fault accidents don’t affect their premiums. Unfortunately, that’s not always true. While a no-fault accident may not label you as “high risk” the same way an at-fault accident does, insurers may still raise rates slightly because you were involved in a claim.

No-fault accidents typically affect rates for 1 to 3 years.
Some insurers may waive small claims under accident forgiveness programs.
If no payout is made (e.g., you covered repairs yourself), it might not impact your rates at all.

For example, if you’re in Ontario or a no-fault insurance state like Michigan, your insurer may still look at your claims history to determine risk, even if liability wasn’t yours.

How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance by State?

The length of time an accident stays on your insurance can vary widely by state. Below is a breakdown of average retention periods in some key states and regions:

State/Region	Average Duration on Insurance	Special Notes
California	3–5 years	Serious accidents/DUI may last 10 years
Florida	3–5 years	High penalties for at-fault accidents
Texas	3–5 years	Progressive & State Farm follow 3-year average
New York (NY)	3–5 years	DMV records may last longer than insurance
Massachusetts	Up to 6 years	One of the longest retention states
Ontario (Canada)	6 years	Common across Canadian provinces
Georgia	3–5 years	Accident forgiveness applies with some insurers
Illinois	3 years	Typically removed after 36 months
Alberta (Canada)	6 years	Insurers keep claims on file longer
Maryland	3 years	Minor claims may drop off sooner
New Jersey (NJ)	5 years	Some insurers may rate up to 7 years

This variation means that where you live matters just as much as who you’re insured with.

How Long Do Insurance Companies Like Progressive, State Farm, and Geico Keep Accidents on Record?

Different insurers have different policies. While most follow the standard 3- to 5-year rule, some offer accident forgiveness or longer lookback periods.

Progressive – Accidents typically impact rates for 3 to 5 years, but Progressive’s Accident Forgiveness may prevent your first claim from raising premiums.
State Farm – Known for 5-year lookbacks, but also offers forgiveness after the first at-fault crash.
Geico – Keeps records for 3 to 5 years, though severe accidents may extend beyond that.
Allstate – Follows a 3- to 5-year rule, but provides optional forgiveness add-ons.
USAA – Often forgiving for military members, but standard retention is 3 to 5 years.

If you switch insurers, keep in mind that your CLUE report (claims history) will transfer, meaning you can’t simply hide an accident by moving companies.

How Long Does an Accident Claim Stay on Your Insurance?

An accident claim is not just a one-time event—it lingers in your records and can affect your insurance rates for several years. But how long does an accident claim stay on your insurance? The answer varies depending on whether it’s an at-fault or no-fault claim, and which insurance company you’re dealing with.

At-fault claims generally remain for 3 to 5 years and impact your premiums the most.
No-fault claims may stay for the same duration but usually don’t cause as sharp of an increase.
Comprehensive claims (like theft, fire, or natural disaster) typically affect your insurance for 3 years or less, since they’re not caused by risky driving behavior.

Why Do Claims Stay So Long?

Insurers keep claims on your record because it gives them a snapshot of your driving habits. A single claim may not make you look risky, but multiple claims in a short span raise red flags. For example, a small fender bender might raise your premium by 10–15%, but three claims in two years could double your rates.

Another critical point is that accident claims are logged in the CLUE database (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange), which most insurance companies consult. That means even if you switch insurers, your claim follows you.

If you want to reduce the impact, some insurers allow accident forgiveness, or you can try negotiating at renewal, especially if you’ve had an otherwise clean record.

How Long Does a DUI or Severe Accident Stay on Your Insurance?

Not all accidents are treated equally. A minor parking lot scrape won’t impact your insurance the same way as a DUI-related accident.

DUIs (Driving Under the Influence) can remain on your insurance record for 7 to 10 years (sometimes longer).
Reckless driving accidents often last 5 to 10 years on both your driving record and insurance.
Fatal or severe injury accidents may never fully drop off in terms of rating impact with some insurers.

Why the Longer Duration?

DUIs and severe accidents represent higher risk. Statistically, drivers with DUI convictions are more likely to be involved in future crashes. Insurers respond by extending the surcharge period and sometimes requiring SR-22 or FR-44 filings, which prove you have active coverage.

In states like California, a DUI can affect rates for 10 years, while in Florida it can impact insurance for 7 years. In contrast, minor fender benders typically reset after 3 years.

This is why, after a DUI, many drivers turn to high-risk insurance providers (sometimes called non-standard insurers), which specialize in covering drivers with severe records.

Does Accident Forgiveness Really Work?

Many insurers advertise “accident forgiveness” as a perk—but how does it actually work?

Accident forgiveness means your first at-fault accident won’t increase your premium. However:

It usually only applies if you’ve had a clean record for 3 to 5 years before the accident.
It doesn’t erase the accident from your record—it just prevents a rate hike.
Some companies automatically include it, while others charge extra.

Which Companies Offer It?

Progressive – Automatically applies if you’ve been accident-free for five years.
Allstate – Offers forgiveness as part of an optional add-on.
State Farm – Provides forgiveness after your first at-fault accident in certain states.
Geico & USAA – May offer forgiveness depending on your driving history.

While it can save you money in the short term, don’t assume you’re off the hook forever. If you have another accident soon after, both accidents could impact your premium for years.

Think of accident forgiveness as a “get out of jail free card”—but you only get one.

How to Lower Insurance Rates After an Accident

Just because an accident is on your record doesn’t mean you’re doomed to pay high rates forever. There are strategies you can use to lower your premiums even while the accident is still active on your record.

1. Shop Around : Different insurers weigh accidents differently. Some may only look back 3 years, while others review 5 or more. Switching companies after an accident might save you money.

2. Take a Defensive Driving Course : Many states (like New York, Texas, and Florida) allow drivers to reduce points on their record or earn a discount by completing an approved course.

3. Increase Your Deductible : Raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can significantly cut your premium, though you’ll pay more out-of-pocket if you file another claim.

4. Bundle Policies : Combining auto and home or renters insurance can offset accident-related increases.

5. Maintain a Clean Record Moving Forward : Most importantly, avoid new violations. Every accident-free year helps reduce the impact of your past claim.

How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Driving Record vs. Insurance Record?

It’s easy to confuse your driving record with your insurance record, but they aren’t the same thing.

Driving Record (DMV) – Shows all traffic violations, accidents, and convictions. Depending on state laws, accidents may stay for 3 to 10 years. For example, California keeps DUIs for 10 years, while New York keeps most accidents for 3 years.
Insurance Record (CLUE Report) – Tracks claims you’ve filed with insurers. Most claims remain for 5 to 7 years, even if they no longer affect your premium.

Here’s the key: an accident may fall off your insurance premium after 3 years, but still appear in your DMV record or CLUE history for a few years longer. That’s why insurers can still see old accidents even if they no longer impact your rate.

How Many Years Does an Accident Affect Insurance Rates?

When drivers ask, “How long will an accident affect my insurance?” the real question is how long insurers will charge higher premiums because of it. While most accidents remain on your record for three to five years, the exact number of years they affect your rates depends on the type and severity of the incident.

Minor fender benders – Often affect premiums for around 3 years.
At-fault accidents with injuries or property damage – Typically impact rates for 5 years.
DUI-related or reckless driving accidents – Can remain on your record for 7 to 10 years, and some insurers may permanently classify you as a higher-risk driver.

Why So Long?

Insurance companies operate on statistical risk models. If you’ve had an accident, you’re considered more likely to file another claim. Studies show that drivers with a prior accident are at least 40% more likely to be involved in another one within three years. This is why premiums rise sharply right after a claim and then gradually decrease as time passes without further incidents.

When Do Rates Go Down Again?

Rates generally begin to drop after the third anniversary of the accident—if you haven’t had another one. By the fifth year, most insurers stop factoring the accident into your rate entirely. However, keep in mind that if you apply to a new insurer during that period, they may still see the claim in your CLUE report and rate you accordingly.

How Long Does an Accident Stay on Insurance in Different Countries?

How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance in Different Countries? : It’s not only U.S. drivers who worry about accidents on insurance records. Other countries have their own rules, and the timelines can be longer than you’d expect.

Canada (Ontario, Alberta, BC) – Accidents usually stay on insurance records for 6 years, longer than most U.S. states. Even minor claims are visible to insurers during that period.
United Kingdom – Accidents can remain on your record for 5 years, and insurers often ask about claims made in the past 5 years when you renew or switch.
Australia – Insurance providers typically consider accidents within the last 3 to 5 years, depending on severity.
European Union – Varies by country, but most insurers review claims from the past 5 years.

The key takeaway is that in many regions outside the U.S., insurers look further back—5 to 6 years is the norm. This means drivers in Canada or the UK may feel the impact of a single accident longer than drivers in, say, Texas or Florida.

At-Fault vs. No-Fault States: Why It Matters

The U.S. has a mix of at-fault and no-fault insurance states, and where you live plays a big role in how long an accident stays on your insurance.

At-fault states – The driver responsible for the accident (and their insurer) pays for damages. At-fault accidents almost always affect premiums for 3 to 5 years.
No-fault states – Each driver’s insurance pays for their own damages, regardless of fault. Examples include Michigan, New York, and Florida. While claims still appear on your record, they may not raise rates as sharply unless you’re deemed high-risk.

For example:

In Michigan (no-fault state), your personal injury protection covers medical expenses, but property damage liability still factors into whether your rates increase.
In Texas (at-fault state), being even partially at fault can raise your premiums for years.

Understanding whether you live in an at-fault or no-fault system helps predict how long your insurance rates will be affected after a crash.

Tips to Handle Insurance After an Accident

Dealing with the aftermath of an accident is stressful, especially when you’re worried about long-term insurance costs. Here are some practical steps to reduce the financial burden:

Don’t rush to file small claims – If the damage is minor, paying out-of-pocket may save you years of higher premiums.
Ask about accident forgiveness – Many insurers offer programs that can prevent your first accident from raising rates.
Review your policy discounts – Safe driver, multi-car, and bundling discounts can offset rate increases.
Take advantage of telematics programs – Usage-based insurance (like Progressive’s Snapshot or All state’s Drive wise) can reward safe driving with discounts.
Re-shop your policy at renewal – Insurance rates vary, and switching providers after an accident can sometimes lower costs.

Think of your insurance premium like a credit score—it can dip after an accident, but with careful management, you can rebuild it over time.

Key Takeaways: How Long Does an Accident Stay on Insurance?

To make things crystal clear, here’s a quick summary:

Average time on record: 3 to 5 years for most accidents.
Severe incidents (DUI, reckless driving, fatal accidents): 7 to 10 years.
No-fault accidents: Typically 1 to 3 years, with less impact.
Driving record vs. insurance record: Accidents may drop off your premium sooner but remain visible in your CLUE or DMV history longer.
State variations: Some states like Massachusetts and New Jersey keep accidents on record up to 5–6 years, while California can extend to 10 years for DUIs.
Insurer policies differ: Progressive, State Farm, Geico, Allstate, and USAA each have unique lookback periods and forgiveness options.

So, how long does an accident stay on your insurance? For most drivers, the answer is between 3 and 5 years. But the impact depends heavily on whether you were at fault, how severe the accident was, the state you live in, and your insurer’s policies. The good news is that time—and safe driving—are your best allies. Every year you avoid new claims brings you closer to lower rates and a clean slate.

If you’ve recently had an accident, don’t panic. Use strategies like shopping around, taking defensive driving courses, and maintaining a spotless record to reduce the long-term impact. Remember, an accident doesn’t define you forever—it’s just one chapter in your driving history.