(InvestigateTV) — A recent Bankrate study found that full coverage car insurance increased 26% last year and ballooned for many found at-fault in one or more automobile accidents.

Bankrate Analyst Shannon Martin said rates could be raised by that one accident for around three to five years.

“If you’re involved in one accident, you’ll see an increase of around 43% that will put your rate around $3,299 dollars per year, for full coverage insurance,” Martin shared.

Martin also said there doesn’t need to be another driver involved. If a driver skids on ice or swerves to miss an animal and hits a tree instead, they can still be considered at-fault for that accident by their insurance carrier. 

Inflation is also still affecting the cost of labor and parts for vehicle repairs, driving up costs. Martin said the cost of those repairs is still around 20% higher now than it was before the pandemic.

“I always recommend people take a look at their policy and make sure it’s accurate,” she advised. If you’ve had changes, like a career change, graduated from college, a move, things like that can impact the rate of your policy, so you might see a lower rate just by making sure everything’s accurate. Then shopping around is always good advice, most carriers have had increases so you might not save as much now as you would of a few years ago.”

Martin said not every carrier is right for every driver, so consumers should make sure their insurance company is meeting their needs and their budget.

Being prepared is the best strategy she said, so build up an emergency fund in case there is an accident. It’s the definition of an unexpected emergency expense.

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