How Much a Car Insurance Claim Will Cost You in Every State

For all the talk of accident forgiveness, it seems clear that many car insurance companies are still going to make you pay if you file a claim.

A study from InsuranceQuotes and Quadrant Information Services found a single $2,000 claim increases auto insurance premiums an average of 41.81 percent nationwide. However, the financial damage is even worse if you live in some states.

Using premium data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, here’s how much a car insurance claim will cost you in every state and the District of Columbia, according to InsuranceQuotes:

51. Kentucky

Average annual premium before a claim: $773
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $923
Increase: 19.4 percent

Lucky you if you live in Kentucky. Drivers in the state see the smallest increase in average car insurance premiums after filing a claim. However, that increase is still almost 20 percent.

50. Tennessee

Average annual premium before a claim: $704
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $846
Percent increase: 20.1 percent

Tennessee and Kentucky share a border, but they have more than geography in common. After its neighbor to the north, Tennessee has the second-lowest average increase in car insurance premiums after a claim.

49. Michigan

Average annual premium before a claim: $1,131
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,382
Increase: 22.2 percent

In Michigan, drivers will see a premium increase of about 22 percent after a $2,000 claim. That might not be much consolation, though, seeing that the average pre-claim premium in the state is more than $1,100.

48. Oklahoma

Average annual premium before a claim: $768
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $947
Increase: 23.4 percent

A single claim in Oklahoma will increase the average cost of car insurance from $756 to $947.

47. West Virginia

Average annual premium before a claim: $859
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,098
Increase: 27.8 percent

Taking the fifth spot in the survey is West Virginia. Average car insurance premiums in the state rise nearly 28 percent after a $2,000 claim.

46. Washington

Average annual premium before a claim: $838
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,072
Increase: 27.96 percent

If you get into an accident out West, hopefully you call Washington state home. Of all the states in the region, its drivers see the smallest increase — 27.96 percent — after filing a claim.

45. Indiana

Average annual premium before a claim: $622
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $797
Increase: 28.1 percent

Back in the Midwest, Indiana drivers see premium increases rise an average of 28 percent after filing a claim worth $2,000 or more with their car insurance company.

44. Kansas

Average annual premium before a claim: $669
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $858
Increase: 28.2 percent

Kansas drivers benefit from low average premiums of $669. Those premiums go up 28 percent after a claim but are still relatively modest at $858.

43. Alabama

Average annual premium before a claim: $674
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $867
Increase: 28.6 percent

As in Kansas, Alabama drivers pay around $670 a year on average for their auto insurance, and their premium goes up about $200 after filing a $2,000 claim.

42. Wyoming

Average annual premium before a claim: $640
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $826
Increase: 28.99 percent

Like many of the other states near the bottom of these rankings, Wyoming has average car insurance prices on the low end of the spectrum. Drivers with a clean record pay an annual average of $640, but that amount increases nearly 29 percent once they file a claim.

41. Mississippi

Average annual premium before a claim: $768
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $996
Increase: 29.7 percent

In Mississippi, a $2,000 claim will increase car insurance premiums 29.7 percent to just shy of $1,000 annually.

40. Montana

Average annual premium before a claim: $679
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $882
Increase: 29.9 percent

The average annual car insurance premium in Montana goes up almost 30 percent after a $2,000 claim is filed.

39. Pennsylvania

Average annual premium before a claim: $841
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,100
Increase: 30.7 percent

Pennsylvania car insurance premiums go from an average of $841 up to $1,100 after a $2,000 claim has been filed.

38. Arkansas

Average annual premium before a claim: $703
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $919
Increase: 30.8 percent

Car insurance companies operating in Arkansas typically increase premiums about 31 percent after a customer files a claim worth $2,000.

37. Florida

Average annual premium before a claim: $1,144
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,499
Increase: 31.0 percent

The car insurance market isn’t so sunny in Florida. While a claim only increases premiums by 31 percent — one of the lower amounts found on the InsuranceQuotes analysis — auto insurance premiums start at an average of $1,144. That’s one of the highest base rates in the nation.

36. New York

Average annual premium before a claim: $1,182
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,550
Increase: 31.1 percent

New York is another state in which a relatively modest increase in premiums after a claim is offset by the fact that drivers start with some of the highest rates in the nation. At $1,182, the average annual car insurance premium in New York is the third-highest in the country, even without a claim.

35. Alaska

Average annual premium before a claim: $889
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,166
Increase: 31.2 percent

Coming in the 35th spot is Alaska. Drivers in the state see an average increase of 31 percent after filing a $2,000 claim.

34. Missouri

Average annual premium before a claim: $704
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $926
Increase: 31.5 percent

Missouri drivers can expect to see their annual auto insurance premium increase almost 32 percent after they file a claim.

33. Louisiana

Average annual premium before a claim: $1,146
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,520
Increase: 32.6 percent

Down in Louisiana, drivers filing a $2,000 claim typically see a 33 percent jump in their premiums to an average of $1,520.

32. Idaho

Average annual premium before a claim: $553
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $734
Increase: 32.8 percent

Idaho is near the middle of the pack when it comes to how much car insurance premiums increase after a claim, but drivers can’t complain too much. At $533 and $734, the state has the lowest average car insurance premiums in the nation both before and after a claim is made.

31. Hawaii

Average annual premium before a claim: $739
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $983
Increase: 33.0 percent

Not everything is more expensive in Hawaii. Car insurance premiums average only $739, rising to $983 after filing a $2,000 claim. That makes auto insurance cheaper there than many other states.

30. Utah

Average annual premium before a claim: $734
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $978
Increase: 33.2 percent

A single auto insurance claim of $2,000 or more will result in an average 33 percent increase in auto insurance premiums for Utah drivers.

29. South Carolina

Average annual premium before a claim: $794
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,061
Increase: 33.6 percent

In South Carolina, drivers have relatively modest car insurance costs with an average annual premium of $794. However, that price jumps nearly 34 percent to $1,061 after a claim is made.

28. Colorado

Average annual premium before a claim: $778
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,049
Increase: 34.9 percent

Colorado is right in the middle of the pack when it comes to how much a claim affects car insurance premiums. Filing a claim worth $2,000 or more in the Centennial State will increase premiums nearly 35 percent a year.

27. Nebraska

Average annual premium before a claim: $639
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $862
Increase: 34.9 percent

While Nebraska ranks 27th on the list, it isn’t all bad. Even after a nearly 35 percent increase in premiums following a claim, average auto insurance premiums in the state are still lower than pre-claim premiums elsewhere.

26. Delaware

Average annual premium before a claim: $1,101
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,496
Increase: 35.9 percent

Drivers in tiny Delaware may end up paying big car insurance premiums. Their rates go up nearly 36 percent to $1,496 once they file a claim.

25. New Jersey

Average annual premium before a claim: $1,254
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,709
Increase: 36.3 percent

Compared with some states, New Jersey drivers get hit with a relatively modest increase of 36.3 percent after filing a $2,000 claim. But that doesn’t equate to cheap insurance. At $1,254, the average annual car insurance premium in New Jersey, before any claim is made, is the highest in the nation.

24. Illinois

Average annual premium before a claim: $745
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,018
Increase: 36.7 percent

Illinois drivers start with relatively low average premiums of $745 per year. After a claim, that amount could jump almost 37 percent to $1,018.

23. Nevada

Average annual premium before a claim: $936
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,294
Increase: 38.3 percent

Car insurance companies in Nevada raise premiums an average of 38 percent after a claim is filed.

22. Virginia

Average annual premium before a claim: $719
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $994
Increase: 38.3 percent

Thirty-eight percent is the magic number in Virginia as well. That’s how much average car insurance premiums rise in that state after a claim.

21. New Mexico

Average annual premium before a claim: $723
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,004
Increase: 38.9 percent

New Mexico drivers who get into an accident or otherwise file a claim worth $2,000 will see their premiums rise an average of 38.92 percent.

20. Maryland

Average annual premium before a claim: $979
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,361
Increase: 39.0 percent

If you plan to work in Washington, D.C., you might want to see about living in Maryland instead of the district itself. Filing a claim in Maryland will only increase premiums by 39 percent, but if you keep scrolling through the list, you’ll find a claim will end up costing you more in the District of Columbia.

19. North Carolina

Average annual premium before a claim: $625
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $876
Increase: 40.2 percent

Drivers in North Carolina have some of the cheapest pre-claim insurance rates in the nation. While a $2,000 claim will raise those rates 40 percent, an annual premium of $876 still isn’t all that bad compared with other states.

18. North Dakota

Average annual premium before a claim: $605
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $851
Increase: 40.7 percent

Yes, North Dakota does land in the 18th spot on this list thanks to the almost 41 percent average increase in premiums that a claim will cause. However, that doesn’t mean rates in the state are crazy expensive. At $605 pre-claim and $851 post-claim, North Dakota still has some of the lowest average car insurance prices in the nation.

17. Arizona

Average annual premium before a claim: $811
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,148
Increase: 41.6 percent

Arizona numbers are almost perfectly in line with national averages. According to InsuranceQuotes, the average car insurance premium nationwide — prior to filing a claim — is $841. What’s more, the average national increase is 41.8 percent to bring the post-claim average premium to $1,193. This is one case in which Arizona residents can be happy they are not above average.

16. Vermont

Average annual premium before a claim: $656
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $934
Increase: 42.5 percent

In New England, Vermont drivers see their premiums increase an average of 42 percent after filing a claim.

15. South Dakota

Average annual premium before a claim: $581
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $834
Increase: 43.5 percent

At $581, South Dakota has the third-lowest average pre-claim premium in the country. That premium will rise an average of 43.5 percent after a substantial claim is filed, though.

14. Wisconsin

Average annual premium before a claim: $621
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $893
Increase: 43.8 percent

Wisconsin is another state that, while near the top of the list in terms of how much a claim will increase rates, still has relatively affordable car insurance. The average premium is $621, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, with an increase of nearly 44 percent to $893 after a $2,000 claim.

13. Connecticut

Average annual premium before a claim: $1,011
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,454
Increase: 43.8 percent

Connecticut drivers pay an average of $1,011 for auto insurance before they ever make a claim, and their rates rise nearly 44 percent after they file one.

12. Ohio

Average annual premium before a claim: $659
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $948
Increase: 43.8 percent

Ohio is another state where drivers see a nearly 44 percent increase in their annual auto insurance premium after filing a claim.

11. District of Columbia

Average annual premium before a claim: $1,187
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,731
Increase: 45.8 percent

The District of Columbia ranks 11th when it comes to average premium increases after a claim. However, it takes the No. 1 spot for having the most expensive post-claim average premium of $1,731.

10. Oregon

Average annual premium before a claim: $783
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,150
Increase: 46.9 percent

Drivers in Oregon see their average annual premium jump nearly 47 percent after they file a claim worth at least $2,000.

9. Minnesota

Average annual premium before a claim: $745
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,095
Increase: 47.0 percent

Average car insurance premiums also increase by 47 percent in Minnesota after a claim.

8. Maine

Average annual premium before a claim: $593
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $879
Increase: 48.3 percent

In Maine, drivers benefit from having some of the cheapest pre-claim auto insurance premiums in the nation. At $593, the state’s average premiums are the fourth-lowest in the U.S., according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. However, once a claim is filed, average rates climb about 48 percent to $879.

7. Texas

Average annual premium before a claim: $895
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,369
Increase: 53.0 percent

Get into an accident in Texas, and it could cost you. Drivers filing a $2,000 claim in the state see their annual premiums rise an average of 53 percent the next year.

6. Georgia

Average annual premium before a claim: $801
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,229
Increase: 53.4 percent

In Georgia, drivers also end up with car insurance premiums that are more than 53 percent higher after a claim.

5. Iowa

Average annual premium before a claim: $572
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $895
Increase: 56.5 percent

Drivers in Iowa might see their premiums increase nearly 57 percent after a claim, but that’s not so bad when you consider average car insurance premiums in the state start out as the second-lowest in the nation.

4. Massachusetts

Average annual premium before a claim: $1,008
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,622
Increase: 60.9 percent

The InsuranceQuotes study notes that state laws can affect how insurers can calculate premiums. Restrictive laws in Massachusetts may explain why filing a single claim increases the average premium more than 60 percent.

3. Rhode Island

Average annual premium before a claim: $1,066
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,723
Increase: 61.7 percent

Not only does Rhode Island have the third-highest premium increase, at more than 61 percent, but its average car insurance premium after a claim is second-highest in the nation.

2. California

Average annual premium before a claim: $783
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,278
Increase: 63.2 percent

In California, drivers will see a whopping 63 percent jump in their premium after a claim, but the InsuranceQuotes study says that isn’t surprising. State law limits insurers to using a driver’s years of experience, average number of miles driven and safety record when setting premiums. That means that when someone has an accident, there aren’t a whole lot of other factors in the formula to dilute the impact of a negative driving record.

1. New Hampshire

Average annual premium before a claim: $733
Average annual premium after a $2,000 claim: $1,216
Increase: 65.9 percent

This is one of those cases where being No. 1 isn’t all that great. New Hampshire has the greatest jump in average car insurance premiums — nearly 66 percent — after a single claim. You may be tempted to drop your coverage after an increase of that size. After all, the Granite State doesn’t require its drivers to carry insurance. However, if you go without coverage, you better have a cushy bank account to pay the damages if you do get into an accident.

Where does your state fit in? What’s your experience with filing car insurance claims? Share in comments below or on our Facebook page.