How much will my car insurance go up after a claim?
Most UK drivers see their car insurance rise by around 20% to 50% after making a claim, though the exact increase depends on who was at fault, the type of claim, and whether you have a protected no-claims bonus.
When you make a claim, your insurer reassesses your risk profile. Even a single incident can push up your renewal quote because drivers who’ve made a claim are statistically more likely to make another. It’s not a punishment but a reflection of probability and past behaviour.
For instance, someone with an at-fault claim for minor bodywork damage might see their £600 annual premium increase to £900, while a driver involved in a non-fault accident could face a smaller rise of around £100 to £150. Variables such as your postcode, repair costs, and claims history all feed into the insurer’s calculations.
Although every case is different, these price rises follow patterns — and once you understand what shapes them, it becomes much easier to predict how a claim might affect you and, more importantly, what you can do about it.
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Get QuotesHow much will my car insurance rise after a claim?
On average, a UK driver can expect their car insurance premium to rise by anywhere between 20% and 50% after a claim, though the exact figure depends heavily on who was at fault and the value of the payout.
At-fault claims tend to have the biggest impact because the insurer absorbs the loss. If your claim costs several thousand pounds, the data suggests your next premium could increase by 30% or more. A small claim, such as a cracked bumper or windscreen replacement, might trigger only a modest rise of 10 to 15%, particularly if you’ve held a clean record for years beforehand.
Non-fault claims tell a slightly different story. Even though another driver caused the damage, your insurer still records the event and considers it a future risk indicator. Some insurers treat non-fault claims neutrally, while others apply smaller increases to account for the possibility of recurring incidents. It may feel unfair, but there’s logic behind it. Data shows that drivers involved in one accident, even blamelessly, are statistically more likely to be involved in another within three years.
To put this into perspective, imagine you’re paying £650 a year for comprehensive cover and make an at-fault claim worth £2,500. Your renewal might jump to £950 or £1,000. A non-fault claim in the same scenario might lift it to around £720. Over three years, you could pay several hundred pounds more in total, even after your claim is long settled.
The scale of increase also varies by region. Drivers in busy urban areas such as London or Birmingham often see sharper rises than those in rural parts of Cumbria or Northumberland, largely because of higher claim frequency and repair costs. Premium inflation in 2024 reached record highs, driven by the rising cost of parts and labour. These are now key factors in post-claim pricing.
If you’re facing renewal after a recent claim, these figures might seem discouraging. Yet not all insurers rate risk in the same way, and many drivers can limit future costs through no-claims protection or by switching to a more competitive provider. We’ll explore these options shortly.
Do all claims cause an increase?
Not every car insurance claim leads to a price rise, but most will still influence your renewal, even if the accident wasn’t your fault.
When you file a claim, your insurer looks beyond who caused the incident. They analyse what it says about your likelihood of claiming again. At-fault claims nearly always increase premiums because the insurer pays out and recalculates you as a higher risk.
Non-fault claims are more complex. Some insurers treat them neutrally, while others add a small premium because statistics link any prior claim, fault or not, to a higher chance of future incidents. For instance, a car hit while parked might still trigger a modest increase at renewal simply because you have entered their claims dataset.
Typical impact by claim type
| Type of Claim | Average Impact on Premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| At-fault collision | 25% to 50% increase | Larger payouts lead to sharper rises |
| Non-fault accident | 5% to 20% increase | Often depends on whether costs were recovered |
| Windscreen or glass repair | 0% to 5% increase | Usually negligible if covered under glass repair |
| Theft or vandalism | 10% to 30% increase | Depends on security rating and postcode |
| Storm or flood damage | 10% to 25% increase | Treated as high-cost risk events |
There are a few ways to soften these effects. A protected no-claims discount can preserve your bonus even after one or two incidents, although your core premium may still rise slightly. Similarly, policies that classify windscreen or glass claims separately often avoid major penalties.
However, small claims can add up. A driver who reports two minor scrapes over consecutive years may appear riskier than someone with one major incident. That is why it can sometimes make financial sense to repair low-value damage privately rather than making a claim.
Each insurer has its own model, and no two claim histories are treated the same way. Understanding how those judgements are made helps you decide when a claim is worthwhile and when it may cost you more in the long run.
Final thoughts
Car insurance premiums often rise after a claim, but the increase is rarely arbitrary. It stems from risk modelling, industry costs, and the statistical patterns that insurers rely on. Once you understand these mechanisms, the process feels less like a penalty and more like a calculation you can influence.
The difference between drivers who simply accept higher premiums and those who manage them comes down to foresight. Protecting a no-claims discount, comparing quotes, and avoiding small claims when possible are all practical, measurable steps. They do not eliminate increases entirely, but they give you leverage when insurers recalculate your risk.
A claim on your record does not have to define your future premiums. Over time, as you rebuild your claim-free history, the effect of that incident fades. Insurers reward consistency. By focusing on careful driving, transparent disclosure, and regular policy reviews, most motorists can recover their lost ground and bring premiums back under control.
In short, the cost of a claim extends beyond repairs and paperwork. It changes how you’re viewed as a driver. But with the right approach, that perception can be managed, corrected, and eventually reset.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Most claims remain on your insurance record for five years, even if you switch providers. Insurers use this history to calculate future risk when setting premiums.
Yes, you can change insurers at renewal or mid-term, but you must declare the claim. Different insurers treat claim histories differently, so comparing quotes can still save money.
If it’s unprotected, yes, you’ll typically lose two to five years of discount. With protection, your NCD remains intact, though your base premium may still rise slightly.
Yes. Even if you don’t claim, you must disclose all incidents. Failing to do so can invalidate your cover or future claims.
Absolutely. High-value or performance cars usually attract steeper increases because repairs and replacement parts cost more than standard models.
Yes, even small accidents can influence future quotes. Insurers record every incident, and any claimable event may alter your perceived risk.
Usually, yes. An at-fault claim where another driver is compensated will almost always increase your premium at renewal.
You can request your data from the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) database. It lists your past claims and helps you confirm the accuracy of insurer records.