Will My Insurance Rates Go Up If the Accident Wasn’t My Fault?

One of the most common questions drivers ask after a car accident is whether their insurance premiums will increase—even when the crash was clearly someone else’s fault.

After all, you’ve already dealt with the stress of the collision, vehicle repairs, medical appointments, and insurance paperwork. The last thing you want is to be penalized for an accident you didn’t cause.

The answer is: not necessarily. In many situations, California drivers who are not at fault will not see an increase in their insurance rates. However, there are exceptions, and several factors can influence how your insurance company handles your policy after an accident.

Here’s what you need to know.

Can My Insurance Rates Increase If I Was Not at Fault?

In California, insurance companies generally cannot raise your premiums solely because you were involved in an accident that was determined to be entirely someone else’s fault.

Insurance companies typically look at fault when evaluating risk. If another driver caused the collision and you did nothing to contribute to it, your insurer may have little reason to classify you as a higher-risk driver.

However, every insurance company has its own underwriting practices, and there are situations where rates may still change for reasons unrelated to fault.

What Factors Affect Insurance Premiums After an Accident?

Insurance rates are influenced by much more than a single accident. Factors that may impact your premiums include:

• Your driving history
• Previous accidents or claims
• Traffic violations
• Your location
• Vehicle type
• Changes in insurance company pricing
• Coverage selections
• Overall claims activity in your area

As a result, a premium increase after an accident does not automatically mean the insurer is blaming you for the crash.

What If I File a Claim Through My Own Insurance?

Many drivers assume that using their own insurance coverage automatically leads to higher premiums. Fortunately, that’s not always true.

If another driver caused the accident, you may use certain coverages under your own policy, such as:

• Collision coverage
• Medical payments coverage
• Uninsured motorist coverage
• Underinsured motorist coverage

In many cases, your insurance company may later seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurer through a process known as subrogation.

Simply opening a claim does not automatically mean your rates will increase.

What Happens If Fault Is Disputed?

Things can become more complicated when fault is unclear.

If the insurance companies determine that both drivers contributed to the accident, your insurer may view the collision differently than a completely no-fault accident.

Examples include:

• Lane-change accidents
• Parking lot collisions
• Intersection crashes with conflicting witness accounts
• Multi-vehicle accidents

Even if you believe the other driver was entirely responsible, insurance companies sometimes assign a percentage of fault to multiple parties.

This is one reason why evidence such as dashcam footage, witness statements, photographs, and accident reconstruction can be extremely important.

Will Filing an Injury Claim Affect My Insurance?

If you pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company, that typically does not increase your own insurance premiums.

A bodily injury claim is generally made against the negligent driver’s liability insurance coverage, not your own policy.

If another driver caused your injuries, seeking compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering is a legal right—not a reason for your insurer to treat you as an unsafe driver.

What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

Unfortunately, not every driver carries adequate insurance coverage.

If you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may need to rely on your own uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist coverage.

Many California drivers purchase this protection specifically for situations where the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance.

Using coverage that you pay for does not automatically mean your premiums will increase, particularly when you were not responsible for causing the crash.

How Can I Protect Myself After a Not-at-Fault Accident?

Taking the right steps after an accident can help protect both your injury claim and your insurance record.

You should:

1. Call the police and obtain an accident report.
2. Document the scene with photographs and videos.
3. Collect witness contact information.
4. Seek medical treatment promptly.
5. Notify your insurance company.
6. Preserve dashcam footage.
7. Consult an attorney if liability is disputed or injuries are significant.

The stronger the evidence establishing fault, the more difficult it becomes for insurance companies to shift blame or dispute responsibility.

Why Insurance Companies Sometimes Try to Shift Fault

Insurance companies have a financial incentive to minimize payouts whenever possible. In some cases, an insurer may attempt to argue that you were partially responsible for the collision.

If they can successfully shift some degree of fault onto you, they may reduce the amount they pay or create questions about liability.

This is particularly common in cases involving:

• Rear-end collisions with unusual circumstances
• Left-turn accidents
• Merging accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Multi-vehicle crashes

Having strong evidence and experienced legal representation can help protect your rights when fault is challenged.

Contact a California Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may have concerns about insurance claims, medical bills, lost wages, and whether insurance companies are handling your case fairly.

At C&B Law Group, we help accident victims understand their rights, investigate liability disputes, and pursue compensation from negligent drivers and their insurance companies. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my insurance company raise my rates if I wasn’t at fault?

In many cases, no. California insurers generally focus on fault when evaluating accident-related premium increases.

Will filing a claim automatically increase my premiums?

Not necessarily. Filing a claim does not automatically result in higher rates, especially if another driver caused the accident.

Does a personal injury claim affect my insurance rates?

Generally no. Injury claims are typically pursued against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy rather than your own.

What if the insurance company says I was partially at fault?

Evidence such as witness statements, photographs, police reports, dashcam footage, and accident reconstruction may help establish liability and challenge fault allegations.

Should I talk to a lawyer after a not-at-fault accident?

If liability is disputed, your injuries are significant, or the insurance company is not treating your claim fairly, speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney can help protect your rights.