30 Day Client Service Satisfaction Guarantee (512) 246-9191

How Much Will My Insurance Go Up With an At-Fault Accident in Texas?

If you’ve been in a car accident and it was your fault, you’re probably wondering: how much will my insurance go up with an at-fault accident? This is an important question in Texas because being “at fault” can affect your insurance rate for years.

Let’s break down how insurance companies decide rate hikes, what accident surcharge Texas rules are, and how you might lower your premium even after a crash.

How Insurance Companies Evaluate Fault in Texas

Texas is an “at-fault” state. That means the person who caused the crash has to pay for the damages through their auto insurance. When you file a claim, the coverage companies will check things like:

Police reports
Photos from the scene
Witness statements

They also look at what you say when you file an insurance claim. If they decide you caused the accident, your insurance premium may go up after an accident.

The more serious the crash, the more your insurance rates may rise. Whether it was a small accident or a major collision, the rate increase depends on what your insurer finds during the investigation.

How Much Will My Insurance Go Up With an At-Fault Accident?

Nationwide, your auto insurance rate can rise by 30% to as much as 45% after your first at-fault accident.

In Texas, it’s often in that same range, but it varies by state and insurance provider. Some coverage companies raise insurance rates after an accident more than others. According to Progressive, drivers may see a premium rise for three to five years after an at-fault accident.

Your insurance rate won’t go up as much if:

It’s your first accident
It’s a small claim
Your driving record is clean

But remember, a car insurance premium rise is common even for one crash.

What Is an Accident Surcharge in Texas?

An accident surcharge is a fee added to your insurance rate after a crash. In Texas, insurance companies are allowed to charge this extra fee after you’re involved in an accident.

Here’s how it works:

A minor accident might bring a small accident surcharge Texas fee
A serious crash (like one with injuries or lots of damage) can bring a much bigger charge

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) says that not all auto insurance companies charge the same fee. That’s why it is smart to compare car insurance rates if you get into an accident.

Graphic analyzing the question: How Much Does Insurance Go Up After an At-Fault Accident in Texas?

Other Factors That Influence Your Premium Increase

Not every accident will raise your insurance rate the same way. Other things that matter include:

Severity of the accident: More damage means a higher insurance rise.
Driving record: If you had a prior accident, your insurer may charge more.
Type of coverage: Full coverage vs. liability insurance affects cost.
Your insurance provider’s rules: Some car insurance companies are stricter.

Every auto insurance provider has different rules on how much your insurance increase after an accident will be.

Can You Avoid a Premium Increase After an Accident?

You might be wondering if it’s possible to avoid a rate hike. Good news—sometimes, you can!

Some insurers offer accident forgiveness, which means your rates won’t go up for your first accident. Accident forgiveness benefits can keep your insurance rate stable.

You can also:

Take a defensive driving course
Raise your deductible
Compare quotes from the cheapest car insurance companies

Progressive offers accident forgiveness programs, and Geico also gives it to customers who earn accident forgiveness with a good driving record. Some companies even offer free accident forgiveness once per policy period.

These insurance products can help keep insurance rates from increasing and even prevent insurance rates from going up too much.

Legal Considerations After an At-Fault Accident

Sometimes you may feel the crash wasn’t fully your fault. In those cases, a personal injury attorney can help.

A lawyer can:

Review your insurance information
Help you dispute fault
Talk to the insurance company’s adjuster for you

If you weren’t fully at fault, or it was a not-at-fault accident, your insurance rates even might stay the same. That’s why legal help can protect you when you’re worried your rate after an accident will rise.

At Austin Accident Lawyer, we don’t charge you unless we win your case. We even help with property damage claims for free.

Key Takeaways: How Texas At-Fault Accidents Affect Insurance Rates

So, how much will my insurance go up with an at-fault accident? Usually, your car insurance rate will rise 30%–50%, and it could last three to five years. The exact rate increase depends on your insurer, your driving record, and the type of car insurance policy you have.

To protect yourself:

Ask your insurance agent if they offer accident forgiveness
Take a defensive driving course
Shop around with other insurance companies
Talk to a lawyer if you’re unsure whether the accident was your fault

Don’t forget your insurance rate isn’t set forever. You have options to keep insurance rates from going too high. And if you’re ever unsure, reach out for help. At our firm, you work directly with your lawyers, and we’re here to fight for you.

Tags:

What Our Clients Say

hired Mr. Traub following a motor vehicle accident in which a driver ran a red light and t-boned and totaled my car. I was injured in several places, one of which was a significant concussion which rendered me unable to think clearly or deal with the stress of wrangling insurance companies and all the other mountains of details that must be dealt with in situations like these. From the beginning, he was caring first and foremost. He was patient with my repeated questions (my concussion left me unable to hang onto details, for about a month I'd have to ask and re-ask even the simplest of things). He took my case and got started right away. Thanks to working with him I was able to have access and referrals to medical care that would have been difficult for me to attain otherwise, as I am self-employed and without health insurance. I felt the wonderful feeling of peace of mind knowing that someone was in charge and on my case, being a very strong advocate for me, my recovery, and my well-being going forward. I know having that kind of trust was an asset in my being able to focus all my attention and energy on getting back to myself and my routines. I always had prompt responses to emails or phone calls, and to address the earlier comment that expressed having a negative experience in communicating, any "cross-examining" I experienced-- and it was only one conversation-- was only about trying to get all the information straight and clear for the purpose of keeping things on task, up to date and 100% accurate for my case. It was one conversation, and it was quickly and easily resolved. And it was all because he had my back. I would highly and enthusiastically recommend hiring him when in need.
5/ 5

Practical Tip

Did you know that a study found that insurance companies pay higher settlements to injured people who use an attorney than those who do not? In 1999, the insurance industry performed a study to find out if people who had accident claims received more money in settlement by using an attorney than those people who settled on their own. The study was performed by the Insurance Research Council, a non-profit organization that is supported by leading property and casualty insurance companies across the United States. The mission of the IRC (IRCweb.org) is to advance the insurance industries on matters crucial to insurance companies. The IRC found that people who used an attorney received, on average, 3 ½ times more money in settlement than those individuals who settled on their own.

Back To Top