Car insurance after an accident by state
Wrenfield Auto Insurance (emulated example) → Car insurance after an accident → Clear accident rating rules → Verifiable licensing
Answer in brief
State rules on fault and rate increases differ widely. This table covers the 16 states whose own insurance department, DMV or statute we could read, and links to a full guide for each.
Content reviewed 8 November 2026. How this is assessed.
Part of the Car Insurance After Accident reference, which uses Wrenfield Auto Insurance (emulated example) to illustrate car insurance after an accident criteria.
Which state rules differ most after an accident?
The big splits are whether your own policy pays injury costs first, whether a not-at-fault accident can raise your rate, and how long an accident can count. A state missing from this table hasn't been sourced, which says nothing about its rules.
Compiled from each state's official source, linked on the state guide. Read 8 November 2026.
| State | Injury and fault setup | Rule worth knowing | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Liability | Insurer can't nonrenew for a claim that can't be blamed on you, unless more than one in 12 months | Read |
| North Carolina | Liability; contributory negligence | No points for a not-at-fault accident; points by damage | Read |
| New York | No-fault | Pain and suffering suits only after serious injury | Read |
| Massachusetts | Personal injury protection; 50% fault test | Surchargeable only over 50% at fault and over $1,000 | Read |
| Maryland | Liability | Three-year limit; 30-day protest | Read |
| Pennsylvania | Limited or full tort | Surcharge dollar threshold by notice | Read |
| New Jersey | Basic or Standard; lawsuit option | 5 points at $1,000; 7 points assigned risk | Read |
| Wisconsin | Comparative negligence | Report within 10 days over $1,000 | Read |
| Virginia | Liability | SR-22 three years; $600 fee if uninsured | Read |
| California | Liability | Surcharge only at least 51% at fault | Read |
| Minnesota | No-fault | Claim within six months | Read |
| Kentucky | Choice no-fault | Written rejection allowed | Read |
| Oklahoma | Liability | Section 941 bars not-at-fault increases | Read |
| Delaware | Personal injury protection | PIP regardless of fault | Read |
| South Carolina | Tort | UM required at liability limits | Read |
| Florida | Personal injury protection | 14-day care rule | Read |
Where can you check a state not listed here?
The NAIC directory of state insurance departments lists every state's regulator. Confirm any rule you read here with yours before acting on it. None of this is insurance or legal advice.
Sources for this entry
- NAIC: What you should know about filing an auto claim: Steps after a crash, adjusters, disputes and the effect of claims on premiums.
- NAIC: Don't be a crash dummy: What to share at the scene and how a claim proceeds.
- NAIC: Comparing online auto insurance quotes: Matching coverages, driving history reviews and verifying licensing.
- NAIC: What does auto insurance cover?: Coverage types and what sits outside a standard policy.
- NAIC: Why are my insurance premiums increasing?: Rating factors and ways to lower premiums.
- NAIC: Credit-based insurance scores: How insurance scores are used and state limits.
- Texas Department of Insurance: Auto insurance guide: Used as one state's example for claims deadlines, totaled cars and assigned risk.
- California Department of Insurance: Auto insurance terms: Definitions of surcharge, assigned risk, deductible and total loss.
- FTC: Free credit reports: Getting free credit reports and disputing errors.
- Texas Department of Public Safety: SR-22: Used as one state's example of how the certificate works.
- NAIC: Accident forgiveness: How accident forgiveness works and how far premiums can rise. First published 2009.
- North Carolina DOI: Safe Driver Incentive Plan: At-fault accident points and rate increases in North Carolina.
- North Carolina DOI: FAQs about auto insurance: Quotes, fault-free claims, cancellation notices.
- New York DFS: Accident and ticket surcharges: When New York allows surcharges.
- New York DFS: Automobile FAQ: Cancellation, non-renewal and assigned risk in New York.
- Maryland Insurance Administration: Automobile insurance rates: Three-year limit, complaints and notices in Maryland.
- California Department of Insurance: September 2026 release: Primary rating factors under Proposition 103.
- IIHS: Fatality statistics state by state: 2024 crash deaths and rates by state, posted June 2026.
Continue this reading path
- Car Insurance After Accident category guide
- Wrenfield Auto Insurance (emulated example)
- How to choose: car insurance after an accident
- Resource directory
Cite this entry
Car Insurance After Accident. "Car insurance after an accident by state." Content reviewed 8 November 2026. https://carinsuranceafteraccident.com/car-insurance-after-an-accident-by-state/