Table of contents
Table of contents
If you’re a driver in Texas, you should know that an accident will affect your car insurance rates. While how long it affects your rates depends on your particular situation, it can be from three to five years or even longer. Factors like your car insurance company and the severity of the car accident will play a role in the time frame.
Keep reading to learn how an accident affects insurance premiums in the Lone Star State and what you can do to minimize its effect.
How long an accident stays on your driving record in Texas
The Texas Department of Public Safety determines how long an auto accident stays on your driving record.
In most cases, a minor at-fault accident with no injuries and minor damages will remain on your driving history for three years from the date it occurs. But if you cause a major accident that leads to severe injuries, fatalities, or substantial property damage, it may stay on your record for up to five years or longer.
After law enforcement investigates an accident and fills out an accident report, it won’t send the report to car insurance companies. Instead, auto insurers may ask for the police report once someone files an insurance claim or lawsuit related to the crash.[1]
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How long an accident affects your Texas car insurance rates
In general, the effect of a car accident on your car insurance rates in Texas lasts between three and five years. You can expect most insurance companies to surcharge your premiums during this time period after the incident. Keep in mind that if an insurance company finds out you caused the accident through a serious infraction like reckless driving or driving under the influence, it may choose to non-renew your policy or even cancel it mid-term.[2]
Factors that influence how long an accident affects rates
Not all motor vehicle accidents in Texas are equally serious. That’s why some factors might cause an accident to affect your premiums for longer. If you’ve had multiple accidents or serious traffic violations and have an active claims history, your accident might affect your car insurance costs for longer.
Each car insurance company has its own criteria to determine how long an accident influences rates. After an accident, talk to your agent to determine how long it will affect your rates.
How much an accident increases car insurance in Texas
When you get into a car accident in the Lone Star State, your car insurance company will consider you a high-risk driver. As a result, your car insurance premium will typically increase.[3]
Texans with a clean record pay $119 per month for liability insurance compared to drivers with an accident, who pay $173 per month, Insurify data shows. If you’re involved in an at-fault accident, the average cost of full-coverage car insurance will go up by 26% or more, according to Insurify data.
Here’s a look at monthly full-coverage rates from top insurers for drivers with clean driving records compared to drivers with accidents.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
|
Average Quote: Clean Record ▲▼ |
Average Quote: With Accident ▲▼ |
|
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $67 | $90 |
| GEICO | $73 | $99 |
| Allstate | $94 | $128 |
| Progressive | $174 | $239 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify’s 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
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How to save on Texas car insurance with an accident on your record
These tips can help you score lower premiums on an auto policy with an at-fault accident on your record.
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Look for discounts. Most auto insurance companies offer a variety of discounts to policyholders. You may be able to save money and lock in a lower rate on your car insurance policy with a discount. Look for auto-pay discounts, multi-car discounts, or good student discounts.
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Bundle policies. If you need another type of insurance policy, such as homeowners or renters insurance, buying both products from the same company is a good idea. Many insurers will reward you with a bundling discount.
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Shop around. Do your research and get quotes from at least three different car insurers. Compare premiums, insurance coverage options, discounts, and reputation to zero in on the most affordable premium.
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Opt for accident forgiveness. Accident forgiveness is an optional policy you might want to consider in addition to liability insurance if you hope to avoid rate increases. It can ensure your rate won’t rise after your first accident.
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Raise your deductibles. Your collision and comprehensive deductibles are the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket for a covered claim before your insurance company pays. A higher deductible can reduce your premium, but it means you’ll have to pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.