Even if a road accident wasn't your fault, filing a claim on your car insurance can still push up your premium at renewal, since insurers see any claim as increased risk.
Key takeaways
- Your insurer needs to know about an accident even if you weren't at fault, and your premium may still rise at renewal
- How much it rises depends on the claim itself, your insurer's approach, and whether you have no-claims bonus protection
- A 50/50 split liability decision generally still counts as a fault claim, affecting your no-claims bonus even though blame is shared
- A fault claim can reduce or wipe out your no-claims discount, so it's worth checking your policy for protection options
- It's worth shopping around at renewal after a claim, since insurers don't all price accident history the same way
Will my car insurance always increase after a claim?
Yes, your car insurance premium will almost always increase after making a claim.
Whether you're at fault or not doesn't always matter. Insurers see any claim as a sign of increased risk. How much your premium rises depends on a few factors:
- Claim severity. Scratching someone's car won't have the same impact as a total write-off.
- Policy type. Some policies offer accident forgiveness or other benefits that can limit increases.
- Your claims history. If you've made multiple claims, your premium will rise more to reflect this.
- Who was at fault? Blame influences how much your insurance price increases.
- Your no-claims bonus (NCB). If you lose your NCB, your renewal price will jump significantly. The longer you've gone without a claim, the bigger the discount you'll lose.
Even if you don't make a claim after an accident, your insurance cost can still go up. This happens if your insurer considers you a higher risk. Or, if the other driver involved makes a claim and your provider recovers the costs.
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How much will my insurance increase after an accident?
It depends on the circumstances: who was at fault, the accident's severity, and your past claims. For example:
Our data shows having 1 year of NCB compared to 0 years saves an average of 40% on your renewal price*. This means the longer you go without making a claim on your car insurance, the more you'll likely save.
*Confused.com data, March-August 2026.
What’s an at fault accident?
An at-fault accident means your insurer holds you responsible for the claim.
But this doesn't always mean the accident was actually your fault. For example, if someone hits your parked car and drives off, your insurer has no way to recover the costs. This leaves you responsible for repairs and facing a higher premium at renewal. And, since at-fault claims suggest a higher risk to insurers, they lead to bigger price increases.
What’s a no fault accident?
A no-fault accident is when another driver is found responsible for the accident.
For instance, if someone rear-ends you because they were speeding, their insurer covers the costs. If your provider successfully recoups the money, the claim is recorded as 'no-fault' in your claims history. This can still impact your premium, but by a smaller amount.
What’s a 50/50 accident?
A 50/50 accident happens when both drivers are found responsible for the crash. It's also known as a 'partial blame claim'.
Since liability is split, each driver's insurer covers a portion of the repair costs. The percentage of liability you're assigned influences how much your insurer pays out. Even with partial fault, this type of claim still goes on your record. That means you'll see a higher premium when it's time to renew.
Does a 50/50 accident count as being at fault?
Yes, usually. Even if you share the blame, insurers typically record a 50/50 decision as a fault claim. Why? Because neither insurer can get back all their costs from the other side. This means it can still hit your no-claims bonus and push up your future premiums, just like a claim where you're fully at fault. Insurers treat these differently, so check your policy if you're not sure.
Will my insurance go up if someone else hits me?
Yes, it probably will. We know it stings, but even if the accident wasn't your fault, insurers see all claims as a higher risk. So, they usually increase your prices.
Good news: some policies are kinder in no-fault situations. For example, an NCB protection add-on could save your discount. But not all policies offer this, so check your policy documents to see what cover you have.
What about if I rear end someone?
If you rear-end another driver, you'll almost always be at fault - even if they slammed on the brakes! Drivers must leave enough space to stop safely. So, expect a higher insurance price at renewal.
What if I’m hit by an uninsured driver?
If an uninsured driver hits you, your car insurance price might still go up. How much depends on your cover.
Got comprehensive car insurance? You might be covered for accidents with uninsured drivers. For example, an 'uninsured driver promise' in your policy could protect your No Claims Bonus (NCB). This can help stop your premium from increasing at renewal.
With third-party or third-party, fire and theft cover, you can't claim on your insurance. But you could claim compensation through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB). This non-profit helps people affected by uninsured driving.
Even if you weren't at fault, your premium might still rise at renewal. Insurers often factor any accident into their overall risk assessment.
Do I need to tell my insurer about accidents I’ve been involved in?
Yes.
When you apply for car insurance, you must tell your insurer about any accidents you've had. This isn't just for car accidents! Insurers also want to know about incidents with motorbikes or vans.
If you don't tell your insurer about an accident, they call it 'non-disclosure'. This means you left out important information they asked for during your quote. As a result, they could invalidate your policy or even cancel it. So, always be upfront, lying to get cheaper car insurance rarely pays off in the long run.
How long will a claim impact my insurance?
How long a claim impacts your insurance depends on your insurer and the claim's severity. When you get a quote with us, insurers ask for your claims history over the past 5 years.
Be honest about your claims history. Insurers easily check different databases. They'll see all claims on your record, even ones you haven't told them about. Hiding a claim might save you money short-term, but it could cause big problems later.
How can I lower my premium after an accident?
Expect your car insurance to rise after a claim. But you can do a few things to help lower the cost:
- Get a car in a lower insurance group. These often have smaller engines, which usually means cheaper insurance. Check your car's group with our checker.
- Add a named driver. Know someone with a great driving record and lots of experience? Adding them as a named driver could drop your car insurance price.
- Shop around! After you get a quote, compare the policies our insurers offer. You'll have a better chance of finding a great deal, especially if you compare car insurance quotes side by side rather than accepting the first one you're offered.
- Lower your yearly mileage. Driving fewer miles each year could make insurers see you as less risky, which can mean a lower premium.
For more info, you can read our guide on tips for cheaper car insurance.
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