If you recently had a car accident, one of the first questions that comes to mind is how long does an accident stay on your insurance. Every driver worries about higher rates, canceled policies, or trouble getting affordable coverage. The truth is, an accident can stay on your insurance record for several years, but the exact time depends on the insurance company, your state, and the type of accident.
Understanding how long an accident stays on your insurance helps you plan ahead, avoid surprises, and make better decisions when shopping for quotes. The more you know, the easier it becomes to protect your wallet and your driving record.
How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance and Why It Matters
Insurance companies use your driving record to decide your rates. When an accident shows up on your record, they see you as a higher-risk driver. That means higher monthly payments, even if the accident was small. The main reason people ask how long does an accident stay on your insurance is because they want to know when those higher prices will finally drop.
Most insurance companies keep accidents on your record for three to five years. Some states require companies to count an accident for a minimum number of years, while other states leave the rules up to the insurer. Serious accidents—like DUI or reckless driving—can stay on your record even longer.
How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance for At-Fault Accidents?
If you caused the accident, the time it stays on your policy is usually longer and can have a bigger impact on your premiums. Most insurers keep at-fault accidents for five years, but some companies will reduce the penalty after the first three years if you keep a clean record.
For example:
- Year 1: highest rate increase
- Year 2–3: still expensive, but sometimes lowered
- Year 4–5: usually drops off or goes back to normal
So if you ever wonder how long does an accident stay on your insurance after you caused it, the answer is usually up to five years.
How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance for Not-At-Fault Claims?
Many drivers don’t realize that even if an accident was not your fault, it can still appear on your insurance history. The good news is, not-at-fault accidents often don’t affect your rates as much. However, some companies still raise rates because they see any claim as a risk.
On average, not-at-fault accidents stay on your insurance for three years. If the other driver’s insurance pays for everything, your company may not charge you extra. But if your insurer had to pay even a small part, it might still show on your record.
How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance for Minor Claims?
Small fender benders, parking lot scrapes, or small bumper damage may stay on your record for the same general time—three to five years. But some companies offer accident forgiveness for the first minor claim. If your policy includes accident forgiveness, the accident may not affect your rates at all.
Companies like GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, and State Farm offer accident forgiveness, but rules vary. Some require you to be claim-free for several years before using it. Others only forgive the first accident if the cost is below a certain amount.
Even with forgiveness, the accident may still appear on your record, but without raising your price.
How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance After a DUI?
This situation is different. A DUI is one of the most serious driving violations and stays on insurance records much longer. In many states, a DUI can stay on your driving record for 10 years, and some states keep it permanently.
Insurance after a DUI becomes much more expensive. Some companies will drop you as a customer. Others will move you to a high-risk policy, which can cost double or triple the normal rate. So when people ask how long does an accident stay on your insurance after a DUI, the answer is much longer than normal accidents.
How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance When Shopping for Quotes?
Even if your current company removes the accident from your record after three or five years, other insurance companies may still see it for a longer time. When you shop for new quotes, insurance companies pull your CLUE report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange). Claims can show on CLUE reports for up to seven years.
This means:
- Your current insurer might stop charging you more
- But a new insurer may still count the accident when pricing your quote
So the answer to how long does an accident stay on your insurance can be different when switching companies versus staying with the same one.
How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance Before Rates Go Down?
Even if the accident remains on your record for five years, insurance companies can lower your rates sooner. Most companies review driving history every renewal period—usually every six or twelve months.
Your rates may drop sooner if:
- You avoid any new claims
- You take a defensive driving course
- You bundle home and auto insurance
- You improve your credit score (in states that allow credit scoring)
- You increase your deductible
- You shop for cheaper quotes
So while the simple answer to how long does an accident stay on your insurance is “three to five years,” the real answer depends on how actively you manage your insurance.
How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance With Clean Driving?
If you do not have any more accidents, speeding tickets, or claims, insurers usually reward you. After two or three years without problems, you may earn a “safe driver discount” again.
Even if the accident is still on record, companies see improvement and often lower the cost.
But if new accidents or tickets appear, then the first accident matters even more. This is why people say, “One accident is bad, but two accidents can destroy your rates.”
Final Thoughts
Most drivers want to know how long does an accident stay on your insurance because nobody wants to pay higher premiums forever. While every company has different rules, the general timeline is:
- 3 years for minor or not-at-fault accidents
- 5 years for at-fault accidents
- 7 years on CLUE reports when shopping for new quotes
- Up to 10+ years or more for DUI or major violations
Accidents don’t stay on your record forever, and there are always ways to reduce the impact. The best step is comparing quotes from multiple companies, because some insurers forgive accidents faster than others. With time, safe driving, and smart shopping, your rates can go back down—even before the accident disappears.