Overview
A car accident typically stays on your insurance record for about three to five years, depending on the insurer and the state, and it can affect your premiums during that window if you were at fault. Your state driving record is a separate thing — points or violations from a crash follow the state's own rules and timelines. Importantly, an accident on your record does not prevent you from filing an injury claim against a driver who hurt you, and a not-at-fault accident usually has far less impact than an at-fault one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a car accident stay on your record?
Most insurers look back about three to five years when pricing your policy, so an at-fault accident can influence your rates for that long before it drops off. Some companies use a shorter or longer lookback, and serious incidents like a DUI crash can count for longer. Your state's driving record has its own retention rules, and any points assessed from a citation expire on the state's schedule, not the insurer's.
Does a not-at-fault accident affect my record and rates?
It usually appears on your claims history, but a not-at-fault accident generally has little or no effect on your premium, and many states restrict insurers from raising rates for accidents you didn't cause. That's one more reason fault matters so much. If the other driver was responsible, make sure the claim is properly coded as not-at-fault with your insurer.
Do points from an accident go on my license?
Only if you were cited for a traffic violation in connection with the crash — the accident itself doesn't add points; the ticket does. Each state has its own point system and its own timeline for when points age off. A citation can also be used by the insurer as evidence of fault in the injury claim, which is why it's worth contesting an unjustified ticket.
Will an old accident on my record hurt my injury claim?
No. Your driving history doesn't bar you from recovering when another driver injures you, and prior accidents aren't generally admissible to prove you were careless this time. What matters is who was at fault in this crash and how well your injuries are documented. Insurers sometimes bring up your history to rattle you, but it isn't a legal defense.
Can I get an accident removed from my record?
If the accident was coded incorrectly — for example, listed as at-fault when the other driver was cited — you can ask your insurer to correct it and provide the police report as support. Otherwise it simply ages off after the lookback period. If you were injured in the crash, a free case review can help you pursue the at-fault driver's insurance, which also helps keep the incident off your at-fault history.
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Get A Free Case Review →This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and every case is different. Contact us to discuss the specific facts of your situation.
