You aren’t the only driver on the road. Every time you get behind the wheel, there is a chance you hit someone else, swerve to avoid hitting someone else and hit a pole, or a multitude of other types of car accidents. In fact, if this was your first car wreck count yourself lucky! Statistics tell us that the average driver will get into an accident about every 17.9 years, and three or four times in their life. You are not alone in this situation! The question becomes- how will it affect your car insurance?

Your premium is the amount you pay monthly to keep your auto insurance active and so you are legally allowed to drive. Many factors figure into how much your Texas car insurance company will raise your premium after an accident. These include the make and model of your vehicle, your driving history, the cause of your accident, the severity of the damage, and where you live.

For an at-fault accident involving bodily injury, your rates could increase by as little as 11% in Alaska or as much as 92% in California. You live in Texas, which is somewhere in between. On average, most of the time you will be raised 20% to 40% for an accident you caused. Before you get excited you don’t live in California, stop and do the math. A “small” 30% increase could mean that your $200 monthly premium now costs you $260 a month, which is an extra $720 a year. Do you have an extra $720 a year? Many people don’t.

The good news is that your rates won’t necessarily go up this much, especially with affordable car insurance in Texas. What matters most is whether this was your first accident. Your driving record has a significant effect on your rates, and even accidents you’re not at fault for can show up. The severity of your accident also matters. DUIs result in more dramatic premium spikes than a fender bender. Crashes that result in injury or death are also among the top of the list for high insurance increases, which makes sense. On the other hand, claims filed under comprehensive coverage, such as hitting a deer or a tree branch falling on you, might not make much of a change, if any.

Insurance companies take several factors into account after an accident:

#1 Who’s at fault. An at-fault accident could do damage to your low insurance rates.

#2 Accident forgiveness. Some companies include a provision for safe drivers that says your premium won’t be raised for the first accident after a long accident-free run.

#3 Previous driving record. You might see a bigger premium jump if you have another recent incident on your record.

#4 Length of driving record. Although accidents on your driving record usually go back three years, you might have a raised premium for up to five.

#5 Safe driving discounts. Losing your current discount for safe driving may translate into a higher cost.

The right insurance policy for you will still be affordable, even with your recent misstep. If you can no longer afford your car insurance thanks to a premium spike, begin shopping around for a new company that will offer you the protection you need at a monthly price you can pay.