If you or any of your loved ones have been involved in a car accident in Utah recently, let me warn you that your insurance premium may increase. But there is no fixed percentage that will be applicable to every Utah driver.
However, the exact amount your premiums increase after an accident depends on several factors, including comparative fault, accident severity, and your driving history. Then, your insurer’s rating rules and whether you have accident forgiveness or not will also impact your car insurance.
If you were not at fault, Utah law restricts your insurance company from raising your monthly premium because of the motor-vehicle claim. Utah Code §31A-19a-212 specifically prohibits premium increases for insurance-covered vehicle claims when the insured was not at fault.
This article explains how much car insurance premiums can increase after an accident and what Utah law says about not-at-fault car accidents.
Does Car Insurance Always Increase After Accidents?
No, not every car insurance premium amount increases after a road accident. Insurers first consider important factors, like comparative fault, claim history, your driving record, and more.
Your location, coverage, and the insurer’s underwriting and rating rules also affect your premiums. Utah’s Insurance Department also lists your driving record, claims history, location, vehicle, coverage limits, deductibles, mileage, and other risk factors.
At-Fault vs. Not-at-Fault Accidents in Utah
Here’s a quick breakdown of how different accident situations may affect your insurance in Utah.
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Situation
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Quick Answer
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You were completely at fault
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Yes, an increase may occur
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You were not at fault
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Utah law will prohibit a premium increase as per your motor-vehicle claim
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Fault is disputed
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The effect may depend on how fault is ultimately determined
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You share some fault
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The consequences can differ based on the facts and applicable insurance rules
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Hit-and-run
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It will depend on the circumstances, like your available coverage, and whether you are considered at fault or not
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Utah law particularly provides specific protection to drivers who were not responsible for a crash. This protection is applicable in both situations, such as when a policy is issued and when it is renewed.
How Much Does Insurance Increase After An At-Fault Accident?
There is no Utah-wide surcharge that applies to every driver after an accident. National studies provide useful context, but they should not be treated as a guaranteed Utah rate.
For example, the American Automobile Association (AAA) reported in July 2026 that a LendingTree analysis of January 2026 rate data found an average 45% increase in full-coverage premiums after an at-fault accident involving significant property damage.
Example
For example, a driver currently pays $2,000 per year for full-coverage insurance. A 45% increase would add approximately $900 per year and would bring the annual premium to about $2,900.
But let me be clear that it does not mean every Utah driver will see an exact 45% increase. Your actual premiums will depend on your insurer, policy, vehicle, location, claims history, and other rating factors.
What Determines How Much Your Insurance Goes Up?
Well, there’s no specific rate increase you will see after an accident. This is because every insurance company uses its own risk assessment model and underwriting to determine how much your insurance will increase.
Several factors can affect how much your premium changes after an accident:
Fault is one of the most important factors in determining your premium increase. If an accident has happened because of your fault, your premium can go up because your insurer will see your claim as an indicator of future accident risk.
However, if you were not at fault during an accident, Utah law will protect your rights. This protection applies when a policy is issued and when it is renewed.
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How Serious Was the Accident?
The severity and cost of an accident’s damages also affect the potential increase in your premium. A collision involving vehicle damage or injuries can result in a much larger claim than a minor fender bender.
For national context, a 2026 LendingTree analysis cited by AAA found that an at-fault accident involving significant property damage increased full-coverage premiums by an average of 45%. But it is a national average, not a guaranteed Utah increase for an individual driver.
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How Much Did the Claim Cost?
The amount that is paid on a claim plays an important role when your insurer evaluates the accident. A claim that involves a few thousand dollars in property damage may be viewed differently from one which involves extensive repairs or multiple vehicles.
However, you cannot calculate your future premium simply by looking at the claim amount, because insurance companies use their own rating systems and other factors that affect the final price.
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Did Anyone Suffer Injuries?
Road accidents are already terrifying, but when serious injuries are involved, it also makes an accident claim more complicated. A crash that involves medical treatment, lost income, or other financial losses will involve more than the cost of repairing a vehicle.
However, the presence of an injury does not create a fixed insurance surcharge. Your premium is determined under your insurer’s applicable rating rules. Questions about compensation for injuries are handled separately from the question of how your future premium is calculated.
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Do You Have Previous Claims?
Your insurance company can review your previous accident claims and overall driving history when assessing your risks and determining your future premiums. For example, if a driver has a clean driving record, he will have a different insurance profile from someone who has a reckless driving record.
This is one reason there is no reliable way to promise a particular premium increase without knowing the driver’s circumstances and insurance policy.
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Do You Have Accident Forgiveness?
Accident forgiveness can affect what happens to your premium after a qualifying accident. Some insurers offer this coverage only to eligible drivers that potentially prevent the usual rate increase after a first qualifying accident.
However, the rules can be different from one insurer to another. Some policies require drivers to meet certain eligibility conditions, and the coverage may need to be in place before the accident occurs.
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What Does Your Insurer’s Rating System Allow?
Every insurance company has its own rating practices and underwriting rules. Two insurers may respond differently to the same accident claim.
The Utah Insurance Department notes that several auto insurance factors can affect what drivers pay for their insurance premiums, and these factors can even be unrelated to the accident, such as changes in your coverage, vehicle, location, or other rating factors.
This is why your renewal notice is important. If your premium changes after an accident, ask your insurer to explain what caused the increase rather than assuming that the entire change came from the accident itself.
Can Your Insurance Go Up If You Were Not at Fault in Utah?
Utah law prohibits a premium increase based on your motor-vehicle claim when you were not at fault. If you believe your premium increased because of a crash for which you were not responsible, you can review your renewal documents and ask the insurer to explain the reason for the increase.
Try to preserve documentation showing how the accident was reported and how fault was determined. A rate change can have causes unrelated to the individual accident, including broader rating factors.
Does Filing a PIP Claim Increase Your Insurance in Utah?
According to Utah Code §31A-22-307, Utah is a no-fault auto insurance state, and it means all car drivers generally turn first to their own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to recover their qualifying medical expenses after an accident, regardless of who caused the accident. Utah requires every driver to have minimum PIP coverage of $3,000.
But you need to understand that filing a PIP claim and being at fault for an accident are not the same thing. Whether a PIP claim affects your future premium depends on your circumstances, your insurer’s rating practices, and applicable Utah rules. Therefore, you should not assume that using your PIP coverage means you caused the accident.
What If Both Drivers Share Fault?
Shared fault can affect an accident claim differently from the way it affects insurance pricing. Utah’s comparative-fault law addresses how fault can affect recovery in a civil claim.
According to Utah Code §78B-5-818, a person seeking compensation may recover when the combined fault of the defendants and certain other parties exceeds the person’s own fault, subject to the statutory rules.
Some accidents are not as simple as one driver being completely responsible and the other being completely innocent. When both drivers may have contributed to a crash, the insurer may investigate the evidence before determining responsibility for the claim.
Evidence
If fault is disputed and the accident caused significant injuries or losses, you can speak with a Utah car accident attorney who can help you understand how the available evidence may affect your claim. Important evidence can include:
- Police reports
- Photographs and video
- Statements from drivers and witnesses
- Vehicle damage
- Traffic citations
- Available accident reconstruction evidence
It is important to separate insurance pricing from legal liability because the determination of fault for an insurance claim does not answer every question about a driver’s potential compensation in a personal injury case.
What Should You Do If Your Insurance Rate Increases After an Accident?
If your renewal premium increases after an accident, do not assume that the accident is the only reason. Take these steps immediately to understand the math:
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Check Your Renewal Notice
Check your new premium notice, effective date, and any information explaining the change.
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Ask the Insurer What Caused the Increase
Ask whether the increase is related to the accident, another claim, a change in coverage, or another rating factor.
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Confirm How Fault Was Recorded
If you believe you were not responsible for the accident, ask your insurance company how fault was recorded in the claim.
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Review Accident Forgiveness
You should carefully read your insurance policy terms to see whether you have accident-forgiveness coverage or not and whether the recent accident qualifies for it or not.
Utah’s Insurance Department advises consumers to compare premiums because prices can differ among insurance companies.
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Get Legal Advice If the Crash Also Caused Injuries
A premium increase is only one possible financial consequence of a serious crash. If you suffered injuries, lost income, or significant expenses because another driver’s actions caused the accident, you may have questions about compensation beyond your insurance premium.
When Is the Right Time To Talk to a Utah Car Accident Lawyer?
A car accident can create questions that go beyond whether your insurance premium will increase or not. If you were injured or the other driver disputes responsibility, you should turn to a car accident attorney to understand your rights and legal options.
Knowing that is essential when an insurance company denies your claim or you are facing difficulty obtaining your benefits. At Cockayne Law, we help Utah accident victims pursue compensation for injuries and other losses when another party may be responsible.
If you are dealing with an insurance issue after an accident, bring your accident report to our office.
Our experienced attorneys will thoroughly analyze your insurance information, medical records, and other relevant documents before taking any further steps.
Conclusion
Road accidents are common in Utah, but that does not mean every car insurance premium will automatically increase. If you were at fault, your premium may increase. But the amount will depend on your insurer, the severity and cost of the accident, your driving and claims history, and whether you have accident forgiveness.
Utah law protects insured drivers from a premium increase based on their covered motor vehicle claim when they were not at fault. If your insurance rate changes after an accident, you should review your renewal notice and ask your insurer what caused the change.
If the accident also left you with injuries, medical bills, lost income, or other financial losses, the insurance premium is only one part of the situation. At Cockayne Law, we help Utah accident victims understand their legal options and pursue compensation when another party may be responsible.