Can I Get Insurance After An Accident?
While you can buy insurance after an accident, it could be more difficult to find a company that offers affordable rates for the auto coverage you want.
Find out if you’re paying too much for auto insurance here.
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Key Points:
- You can purchase insurance at any time, but it won’t cover accidents that happened before you bought the policy.
- Purchasing car insurance right after an accident can be expensive depending on your situation.
- Comparing rates is the best way to find affordable coverage after an accident.
Can you get car insurance after an accident? If you want insurance to cover a past accident, the answer is no. But you can still buy car insurance to cover any future accidents.
In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about getting car insurance after an accident. We’ll also detail how accidents impact car insurance rates and provide tips on finding the best car insurance for your specific needs and budget.
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Can You Get Insurance After An Accident?
You can get car insurance after an accident, but coverage won’t apply to the accident you just had. Most car insurance companies offer same-day coverage but policies will typically not become active until midnight on the day of purchase. If you’re buying a new car, you can usually get insurance with immediately effective coverage so that you can legally drive the vehicle home.
Regardless of when your car insurance policy takes effect, it will not retroactively cover accidents. The exact date and time of the accident will need to be reported to file a claim. Accident details are usually reviewed and sometimes investigated by claims adjusters. If you attempt to file a claim on an accident that happened before you had coverage–and are caught–you could be charged with insurance fraud and face severe penalties and fines.
If you’re simply trying to purchase a new insurance policy following an accident, that’s perfectly fine. Just keep in mind that your rates are likely to increase after you file a claim–even if the accident wasn’t your fault.
Can You Add Full Coverage After An Accident?
You can add full coverage to your policy at any time, but it will only apply to accidents that happen after the effective date. Auto insurance coverage, including liability coverage, comprehensive, and collision, is never retroactive.
How Long After An Accident Can You Make An Insurance Claim?
The amount of time you have to file a claim will depend on your insurance company and your state as well as the type of claim being filed. For example, some states have a statute of limitations for certain types of claims, usually somewhere between one and six years. Your insurance company, on the other hand, may require you to notify them within as little as 24 hours (although the standard is around 10 days).
We recommend reporting an accident and filing a claim as soon as possible as it will be easier for you to remember details. Filing a claim quickly also helps your insurance company more easily and rapidly verify those details and pay out your claim.
What To Do If You Get Into A Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident can be traumatic and disorienting, so it’s helpful to know what to do. Below are the basic steps to follow immediately after a car accident:
- Move to a safe place. Pull as far off the road and out of the way of traffic as you safely can.
- Check yourself for injuries.
- Check others for injuries.
- Document damage. Take as many detailed pictures of the scene as you safely can.
- Trade insurance information with the other driver.
- Get the other driver’s license and license plate number.
Once you’ve left the scene and are safely home, there are a few more steps to take:
- Contact your insurance agent: Most insurers have options for filing your claim online. Be as specific as you can with details and provide any supporting documentation, like pictures and the other driver’s contact and insurance info.
- Report the accident to the police if needed: If it was a large accident, it’s likely the police showed up at the scene. If they did, be sure to get the officers’ names and a report incident number. If it was just a small fender bender, it’s not necessary to report it to the police, but it can be helpful to have documentation.
If you weren’t at fault for the accident, you should still notify your car insurance company. But rather than filing a claim with your provider, you’d file a third-party claim with the other driver’s insurance carrier.
What If You Don’t Have Insurance Before An Accident?
Driving without insurance is never recommended.
The legal consequences for driving without insurance–whether you’re involved in an accident or not–differ in every state and can include fines, suspensions, and even jail time. If you’re in an accident while driving uninsured, the cost of all the damages will be your responsibility. If you were at fault and caused damages that you can’t afford to cover, you could be sued by the injured party.
The table below describes the penalties for uninsured driving offenses, according to Kelley Blue Book.
| State | Penalty Amount | Imprisonment | Suspension of Registration | Suspension of License |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $500 to $1,000 | 3 to 6 months | Yes | Yes |
| Alaska | $500 | N/A | No | Yes |
| Arizona | $500 to $1,000 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas | $50 to $1,000 | Up to a year on third offense | Yes | N/A |
| California | $100 to $500 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | $500 to $1,000 | Up to 1 year | Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | $100 to $1,000 | Up to 3 months | Yes | Yes |
| Delaware | $1,500 to $3,000 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| District of Columbia | $500 plus 50 percent increase for subsequent offenses | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Florida | $500 reinstatement fee | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Georgia | Up to $1,000 | Up to 1 year | Yes | Yes |
| Hawaii | $500 to $5,000 | Up to 30 days (after multiple offenses) | Yes (after multiple offenses) | Yes |
| Idaho | $75 to $1,000 | Up to 6 months (after multiple offenses) | Yes | Yes (second offense) |
| Illinois | Minimum $500 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana | $500 (for second offense) | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Iowa | Depends on if there was an accident | N/A | Yes | N/A |
| Kansas | $300 to $2,500 | Up to 6 months | Yes | Yes |
| Kentucky | $500 to $1,000 | Up to 180 days depending on offense | Yes | Yes |
| Louisiana | $500 to $1,000 | N/A | Yes | N/A |
| Maine | $100 to $500 | Up to 6 months | Yes | Yes |
| Maryland | $150 to $2,500 | N/A | Yes | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $500 to $5,000 | Up to 1 year | Yes | Yes |
| Michigan | $200 to $500 | 1 year | N/A | Yes |
| Minnesota | $200 to $1,000 | Up to 90 days | Yes | Yes |
| Mississippi | $1,000 | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Missouri | Up to $500 | Up to 15 days | Yes | Yes |
| Montana | $250 to $500 | Up to 6 months depending on offense | N/A | Yes (second and subsequent offenses) |
| Nebraska | $50 reinstatement fee | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Nevada | Up to $2,000 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Insurance not typically required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| New Jersey | $300 to $5,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| New Mexico | $300 to $1,000 | Up to 6 months depending on offense | Yes | Yes |
| New York | Up to $1,500 plus a $750 reinstatement fee | Possible | Yes | Yes (if registration is suspended for more than 90 days) |
| North Carolina | $50 to $150 | Up to 45 days | Yes | Yes |
| North Dakota | $150 to $1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ohio | $100 to $600 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Oklahoma | $163 to $213 | Possible | Yes | Yes |
| Oregon | $130 to $1,000 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Minimum $300 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Rhode Island | $100 to $1,000 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| South Carolina | $600 (uninsured motorist fee) | Possible | Yes | Yes |
| South Dakota | $100 | 30 days | Yes | Yes |
| Tennessee | Up to $300 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Texas | $260 to $470 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Utah | $400 to $1,000 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Vermont | Up to $500 | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Virginia | $600 (if the $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee hasn’t been paid) | N/A | Yes (if you haven’t paid the UMV fee) | Yes (if you haven’t paid the UMV fee) |
| Washington | Minimum $550 | N/A | N/A | Yes (if at fault in an accident) |
| West Virginia | $200 | Possible | Yes (second and subsequent offenses) | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Up to $500 | N/A | Yes (if you’re in an accident) | Yes (if you’re in an accident) |
| Wyoming | $250 to $1,500 | Possible | Yes | Yes |
What Does “No Pay, No Play” Mean?
Some states have "no pay, no play" policies, which apply when an insured driver hits an uninsured driver. Since the uninsured driver hasn't paid into the insurance system, the state policy only allows them to collect economic damages for car repairs and medical bills. They can't collect non-economic damages for conditions like pain and suffering.
Some states also limit economic damages. For example, an uninsured driver may need to cover $15,000 of their own medical costs before they can collect insurance compensation from the at-fault insured driver.
States with "no pay, no play” policies include:
- Alaska
- California
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- North Dakota
- Oregon
What Happens After An Accident In No-Fault States?
In a “no-fault” insurance state, you can't file a third-party claim for injuries even if the other driver caused the collision. In such states, you make injury claims through your own car insurance, no matter who caused the crash. If you live in a no-fault state and don’t have insurance before an accident, you'll have to cover medical bills yourself.
The 12 no-fault states are:
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
How To Reduce Your Insurance Rate After An Accident
Some insurance providers offer accident forgiveness policies that can keep your premium from increasing after an accident. Most providers will lower your rate if you complete a defensive driving course. Additionally, most major insurers now offer usage-based insurance (UBI), which can provide significant savings based on how safely and how often you drive. Enrolling in a UBI program will typically earn you an initial discount on premiums followed by additional savings based specifically on your driving behaviors.
To save money following an accident, you can also consider switching providers. While the accident will still be reflected in your new rate, you may find that other companies offer lower rates overall and better discounts. Shop around and compare insurance quotes to see how much you might be able to save elsewhere.
Another option is to stick with your current provider but choose a higher deductible. This increases the amount you’ll need to pay out of pocket in the event of an accident, but it also lowers your premium. As a general rule of thumb, the higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premium. Just be careful not to set your deductible higher than the amount you can reasonably afford to pay after an accident.
How Do You Get Insurance After An Accident?
After an accident, the process of enrolling in car insurance doesn’t change. Just know that the more claims you’ve filed and the more violations you have on your driving record, the higher your premiums will be. But, unless you have numerous claims and violations indicating a pattern of unsafe driving, most insurers will still allow you to purchase a policy.
Additionally, some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers and may be able to offer you lower rates. So, as always, it’s important to shop around and compare your options. Just be sure to report your accident history truthfully and accurately. Insurance companies will verify this information and could cancel your policy if they find unreported accidents.
Can I Get Car Insurance After An Accident?: Our Take
While you can get car insurance after an accident, it will not cover any previous accidents and your rates will likely increase–usually for three to five years–while the accident remains on your record. If you’re trying to save money on premiums after an accident, your best option is to shop around and get quotes from a handful of companies to find the cheapest car insurance possible.
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Our Recommendations For Car Insurance After An Accident
You'll probably see higher rates if you get car insurance after an accident, but some companies are cheaper than others. In particular, we recommend State Farm and Erie Insurance.
State Farm: Best Overall Provider
State Farm offers affordable coverage to drivers with accidents on their records, according to our rate data. State Farm also offers a discount of up to 25 percent for good students and a usage-based discount through its Drive Safe & Save™ program.
Read more in our State Farm insurance review.
Erie Insurance: Best For High-Risk Drivers
Erie Insurance is another provider that offers affordable coverage after a car accident. Available in 12 states and Washington, D.C., the company offers consistently affordable rates and top-notch customer service. Erie also has a wide range of coverage options and numerous discounts intended to help drivers save on their monthly premiums.
Read more in our Erie Insurance review.
Can I Get Insurance After An Accident?: FAQ
Below are a few frequently asked questions about getting insurance after an accident.
Can I get insurance the same day as an accident?
You can buy insurance any time that you want. However, you can’t buy insurance that will cover an accident that happened before you bought your policy.
How long after buying insurance can I file a claim?
You can file an auto insurance claim as soon as your insurance is in effect. This can be in as little as an hour after you purchase a policy. This would be indicated in your insurance contract. However, you can’t file a claim for something that happened before your policy went into effect.
How can I lower my insurance rate after an accident?
The ways you can lower your insurance rate after an accident may differ depending on your provider. Some providers offer accident forgiveness and won’t raise your premium after your first at-fault accident. In many cases, you can lower your insurance cost by completing a defensive driving course. You can also try switching to an auto insurance policy with a higher deductible or changing providers.
How much does car insurance go up after an accident?
How much your car insurance premium will rise after an accident depends on your provider, your policy, your state, and the amount of damage caused by the accident. Some providers offer accident forgiveness for at-fault accidents, which would keep your rate from going up.
How We Rate Auto Insurers
Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
- Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
- Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
- Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
- Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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