TL;DR: How much does auto insurance go up after an accident comes down almost entirely to fault. Not-at-fault claims in Texas and Tennessee usually don’t raise your own rate, since the at-fault driver’s insurer pays first. At-fault accidents typically trigger a surcharge that can last several years, though Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1953 and Tennessee Code § 56-7-1201 place real limits on how insurers can use certain accidents against you. If a rate hike doesn’t match the facts, it’s usually worth having it reviewed.
Whether your rate moves after a crash depends almost entirely on who was at fault, not on the simple fact that a crash happened. Texas and Tennessee are both fault-based states, meaning the at-fault driver’s insurer typically pays first, which is why many not-at-fault claims never touch your own premium at all. This post breaks down exactly what triggers a rate increase and what to do if your insurer raises your rate without cause. For the fuller picture of how these claims get valued and negotiated, see our guide to motor vehicle accidents.
What It Means: How Much Does Auto Insurance Go Up After an Accident
Auto insurance typically doesn’t go up after a not-at-fault accident in Texas or Tennessee, since the other driver’s insurer pays the claim.
, however, commonly raises your premium by roughly 20 to 50 percent, applied at your next renewal and often lasting several years before it falls off.
Texas insurers may factor at-fault accidents into your rate under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1953, which governs how accident history can be used in auto rating. Tennessee law goes a step further in one specific area: T.C.A. § 56-7-1201(f) prohibits an insurer from raising your rate or canceling your coverage solely because you used your own uninsured motorist coverage after a crash.
What Actually Triggers an Auto Insurance Rate Increase
Fault is the single biggest factor, but it isn’t the only one. Insurers also weigh the severity of the damage, whether anyone was injured, and how many claims you’ve filed in the past three to five years. A minor at-fault fender-bender and a serious at-fault crash with injuries can result in very different surcharges from the same carrier.
Rate filings themselves are reviewed by state regulators before they take effect. The Texas Department of Insurance oversees how Texas carriers file and justify these increases, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners publishes a consumer-friendly breakdown of how auto rating generally works across states, including Tennessee.
Steps to Take If Your Rate Goes Up After an Accident
- Ask your insurer in writing for the specific reason behind the increase, including which accident triggered it.
- Request a copy of the official crash report to confirm how fault was actually recorded.
- If the report shows you weren’t at fault, or fault was split unfairly, dispute the surcharge directly with your carrier.
- Compare quotes from other insurers at renewal, since surcharge policies vary significantly between companies.
If fault is being misassigned or an adjuster is pushing back on a dispute, it’s often the moment to see exactly for your case what outside pressure from an attorney can accomplish. Our guide on what to do immediately after a crash also covers how to document fault correctly from the very start.
What This Means: Protecting Your Rate After an Accident
A rate increase after a crash is common, but it’s never automatic and it’s not always fair. Fault is what actually decides it, both states place real limits on how insurers can use certain claims, and a surcharge that doesn’t match the facts is worth challenging. As attorney LaShundra Culpepper puts it, “Your premium should reflect what actually happened in the crash — not just that a claim was filed.”
Take This Step: Get Help From a Houston or Memphis Auto Claims Lawyer
If your rate jumped after an accident that wasn’t your fault, or the increase feels out of line with what happened, you don’t have to accept it as final. Culpepper Law Group offers a free consultation to claimants in the Houston area and in Memphis, Tennessee — and you pay nothing unless we win. Speak with a personal injury lawyer today and let us help you set the record straight.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Culpepper Law Group for guidance specific to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Insurance Rate Increases
1. Will my rates go up if the accident wasn’t my fault?
Usually not. In Texas and Tennessee, the at-fault driver’s insurer generally pays the claim, so a clearly not-at-fault accident often leaves your own premium untouched.
2. How much does an at-fault accident typically raise my premium?
Increases commonly fall in the 20 to 50 percent range, though the exact number depends on the severity of the crash, your driving history, and your specific insurer.
3. How long does a rate increase stay on my policy?
Most surcharges last around three to five years and gradually shrink each renewal period, though the exact timeline is set by each carrier rather than by state law.
4. Does it cost anything to have a lawyer dispute my rate increase?
No. Culpepper Law Group reviews these situations on a contingency basis, so there’s no upfront cost to find out whether a surcharge was applied fairly.
5. Can I just switch insurance companies to avoid a rate hike?
You can shop around, but most carriers ask about accident history when quoting a new policy, so the same at-fault accident may still affect pricing elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- Not-at-fault claims in Texas and Tennessee typically don’t raise your own rate, since the at-fault driver’s insurer pays first.
- Tennessee law (T.C.A. § 56-7-1201(f)) prohibits insurers from raising your rate solely because you used your own uninsured motorist coverage.
- Texas insurers may factor at-fault accidents into rating under Insurance Code Chapter 1953, but a surcharge isn’t automatic or permanent.
- A rate increase that doesn’t match the actual fault determination is worth disputing before you accept it.
