How many points is a claim worth? State-specific examples of claims, surcharges and monthly cost changes

Ultimate guide — Cost Impact of Claims on Premiums & Rate Comparisons (U.S. market)

Written for drivers who want to understand exactly how a single claim or traffic incident can translate into DMV “points,” insurer surcharges, and real dollar changes to monthly premiums. This guide maps the difference between DMV point systems and insurer risk scoring, explains how long claims and surcharges stick, shows realistic state-specific examples, and offers tactical moves to reduce the long-term cost of filing claims.

Table of contents

What “points” mean: DMV points vs. insurance points (and why they’re different)
How insurers actually treat claims: CLUE, lookbacks and surcharge windows
Typical premium impacts by claim type (at-fault, not-at-fault, comprehensive, glass)
State-specific examples: California, Florida, New York, Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania (realistic monthly changes)
How insurer policies and company differences change outcomes (who raises the least)
When to file a claim vs. pay out-of-pocket — 3–5 year cost comparison
Policy choices and tactics to minimize premium impact
Checklist: what to do immediately after an accident to limit cost impact
Related reading (internal links)

Table of Contents

What “points” mean: DMV points vs. insurance points — and why the two are not interchangeable

First, the single most important clarity: “points” are not one uniform currency. There are at least two separate systems that matter:

DMV / state point systems (driver record points)
- Administered by state motor vehicle agencies (DMV, DPS, DHSMV, etc.).
- Points are assigned for convictions (speeding, reckless driving, hit-and-run, DUI) and sometimes for accidents if a citation is issued.
- Accumulating too many DMV points can trigger administrative actions (warnings, higher fines, license suspension or probation).
- Example: California’s Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) assigns 0–3 “negligent operator” points for convictions and collisions and uses them to decide NOTS letters, hearings and suspensions. (dmv.ca.gov)
Insurance points / surcharges
- These are insurer-side classifications (sometimes required or standardized by state law) used to compute premium surcharges.
- Some states have formal “insurance point” schedules or surcharge programs (e.g., programs like North Carolina’s historical SDIP-style approach), while many insurers simply use proprietary rating algorithms that count accidents/violations for 3–5 years.
- Insurance “points” determine premium multipliers or surcharges — but insurers do not always use DMV point totals directly. They will, however, check the same underlying convictions and claims.

Why this matters

An at-fault accident can produce: (a) DMV points if you were cited; (b) an insurer surcharge even if no DMV points were applied; and (c) a CLUE (loss-history) entry that other insurers will see for years. The same event therefore creates layered consequences across different systems.

How insurers actually treat claims: CLUE reports, lookbacks and surcharge windows

Claims history is shared across industry databases. The most common one consumers see referenced is C.L.U.E. (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) (LexisNexis), which retains auto and property claims data for roughly seven years and is routinely pulled by insurers during underwriting. This means claims — whether you were at fault or not — generally remain discoverable for insurers for up to seven years via CLUE/loss-history reports. (insure.com)
Insurers’ active rating window (the time they use a claim to increase rates) is typically 3–5 years. Most carriers increase premiums most sharply in the first 12–24 months after an at-fault collision and gradually reduce the surcharge over the next 2–4 years; for major offenses (DUI, hit-and-run), lookbacks can be longer. The practical result: you’ll often pay higher premiums for 3–5 years even though CLUE records last 7 years. (thezebra.com)
Not-at-fault claims: many insurers will not surcharge (or surcharge much less) if you are clearly not at fault and the other party is properly insured — but some carriers still increase rates slightly because claims signal exposure and administrative costs. Expect variance by carrier and state.
Company-specific behavior: studies and market data show large variation across insurers — some increase an at-fault driver’s rate moderately (20–30% average), others more aggressively (50–70%); hit-and-run and DUI cause the largest increases. See company-specific examples later. (lendingtree.com)

Key takeaways (short)

CLUE: claim stays visible ~7 years.
Insurer rating window: typically 3–5 years (varies by company and state).
DMV points: used for license actions and sometimes intersect with insurance surcharges.
Company behavior varies—shop after a claim.

Typical premium impacts by claim type — percentages, monthly deltas and examples

Below is a synthesized, practical table using published industry analyses (national averages across carriers) to show how common claim types typically affect average premiums. Use as a starting point — your carrier and state will change the final numbers.

Table: Typical national average premium impact by claim type (approximate)

Claim / incident type	Typical first‑year premium increase* (range)	Typical multi‑year window billed by insurers
At‑fault accident (property damage only)	20%–50% (commonly ~30–45%)	3–5 years. (insurify.com)
At‑fault accident with bodily injury	40%–100%+	3–7 years (depending on severity, settlements)
Not‑at‑fault accident	0%–20% (many carriers 0% if clear liability; some small surcharge otherwise)	0–3 years typically
Comprehensive (theft, hail, animal)	0%–10% (often small)	1–3 years
Glass-only claim (windshield)	0%–5% (many carriers waive surcharge; safe to claim in many states)	0–2 years
DUI / reckless driving / hit-and-run	60%–200% (or policy nonrenewal / SR-22)	3–10 years (may require SR‑22)

*Percent ranges are national industry averages built from insurer research and market studies; actual increases vary significantly by company, state regulation and underwriting history. See cited insurer analyses and consumer comparison reports. (thezebra.com)

A quick worked example (national baseline)

Baseline full‑coverage annual premium: $1,760 (The Zebra baseline example for a clean driver). If you incur one at‑fault accident that causes a 40% increase:
- New annual premium ≈ $1,760 × 1.40 = $2,464 → monthly ≈ $205 (clean driver monthly ≈ $147) → difference ≈ +$58/mo.
- Over 3 years: extra ≈ $58 × 36 = $2,088 in additional premiums (in addition to deductibles and other costs). (thezebra.com)

Why the first-year bump is not the whole story

Insurers typically front-load surcharges and might apply an immediate non‑renewal decision at time of renewal. Additionally, higher premiums can persist across future policy terms even after surcharges reduce. Always compute the 3–5 year total expected cost when deciding whether to file.

State-specific examples: how many “points” or surcharges a claim can equal, and what it might do to monthly premiums

Below are representative examples in six large or instructive states. These are examples built from typical state trends and national insurer behavior (percent-change sources noted). Use these scenarios to model your own outcome; always request a sample post-claim quote from your own carrier and any potential replacement carriers.

Methodology note: examples use (A) an illustrative baseline full‑coverage premium aligned to national/state averages, (B) published average percent increases for at-fault, not-at-fault and other claims, and (C) cite the data sources used for percent estimates (Insurify, The Zebra, LendingTree). Numbers are rounded for clarity.

Important: these are representative scenarios (not guaranteed quotes). Always get firm quotes. See sources for state trend context. (insurify.com)

1) California — example: at‑fault property damage accident

Baseline (full coverage): $1,900/year (~$158/mo) — California averages vary by county, but this is a typical full‑coverage sample.
Typical at‑fault increase (CA carriers): ~30%–50% first year (CA uses DMV NOTS points which can also affect insurer decisions). Use 40% as a practical mid-point. (dmv.ca.gov)
- New annual premium ≈ $1,900 × 1.40 = $2,660 → monthly ≈ $222 → delta ≈ +$64/mo.
- 3‑year extra premium ≈ $64 × 36 = $2,304.
DMV side: If you were cited (speeding/violation), you may receive NOTS negligent operator points which could trigger DMV letters or additional penalties; separate from insurer surcharge. (dmv.ca.gov)

Why CA can feel expensive after an accident

California’s population density and repair/medical cost trends push insurers to apply stronger surcharges in many urban counties; also DMV administrative actions affect your overall risk profile.

2) Florida — example: not-at‑fault accident where third party pays

Baseline (full coverage): Florida averages are higher; use $3,160/year (~$263/mo) (statewide average cited for full coverage). (consumeraffairs.com)
Not-at-fault handling: many Florida carriers still show small increases (~5%–10%) even for not-at-fault events due to exposure and administrative costs.
- Use a conservative 8% increase: new annual ≈ $3,160 × 1.08 = $3,413 → monthly ≈ $284 → delta ≈ +$21/mo.
If Florida rules or litigation result in bodily injury claims, the impact can be far larger (and Florida has been one of the states with big rate increases in recent years). (thezebra.com)

3) New York — example: glass / comprehensive claim (hail or windshield)

Baseline (full coverage): use $2,000/year (~$167/mo) (NY city/rural variation huge).
Glass claim: many carriers treat windshield or other comprehensive claims as low-impact; average increases often $0–$90/year (~$0–$8/mo).
- Example: 5% increase → new annual ≈ $2,000 × 1.05 = $2,100 → monthly ≈ $175 → delta ≈ +$8/mo.
Note: some insurers offer glass repair without surcharge or a special glass rider to avoid increased premiums. Always ask. (thezebra.com)

4) Texas — example: at‑fault accident with moderate property damage ($3,000)

Baseline full coverage: $1,900/year (~$158/mo) typical in many Texas metros.
Typical at-fault increase in Texas: 30%–60% depending on carrier; use 45% midpoint.
- New annual ≈ $1,900 × 1.45 = $2,755 → monthly ≈ $230 → delta ≈ +$72/mo.
Two-year / three-year total impact: +$72 × 36 = $2,592 extra in premiums (not counting deductible / settlement cost).

5) North Carolina — example: single at-fault accident that triggers SDIP insurance points

Baseline full coverage: $1,100–$1,500/year (varies widely). Use $1,400/year (~$117/mo) for example.
Historically NC uses a Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP)-style surcharge approach where insurance points translate to explicit surcharges; an at-fault accident frequently adds points and an SDIP surcharge that can be sharp in the first years.
- Example insurer increase: 35% for an at-fault collision → new annual ≈ $1,400 × 1.35 = $1,890 → monthly ≈ $158 → delta ≈ +$41/mo.
Legislative changes in 2025 and insurer responses are changing the lookback and surcharge length in some cases — always confirm with NCDOI and carriers when you have an NC incident. (selectinsgrp.com)

6) Pennsylvania — example: at-fault accident, minor property damage <$2,000

Baseline: $1,200/year (~$100/mo).
Typical small at-fault accident surcharge: 20%–35% (many carriers), use 28%.
- New annual ≈ $1,200 × 1.28 = $1,536 → monthly ≈ $128 → delta ≈ +$28/mo.
Pennsylvania’s regulatory environment moderates some surcharges, but impact still material.

State summary table (selected states): example monthly deltas after a single at‑fault accident

State	Baseline monthly	Estimated pct increase	New monthly	Monthly delta
California	$158	40%	$222	+$64
Florida	$263	8% (not‑at‑fault example)	$284	+$21
New York	$167	5% (comprehensive/glass)	$175	+$8
Texas	$158	45%	$230	+$72
North Carolina	$117	35%	$158	+$41
Pennsylvania	$100	28%	$128	+$28

Notes:

Percentages are example midpoints from insurer and market reports (Insurify, The Zebra, LendingTree) and reflect national/state trends; your carrier quote may differ materially. (insurify.com)

Company differences: which insurers raise premiums the least after a claim?

Carrier behavior varies a lot. Published consumer studies and quote-exchange data show:

Some regional insurers and mutuals (Erie, USAA where available, State Farm historically) tend to show smaller average increases after at-fault accidents.
Large national direct writers (GEICO, Progressive, Allstate) can show higher percent increases in aggregate data, though results differ by driver profile and state.
Example published findings (illustrative):
- Erie: one of the smaller average increases after an at-fault accident (~25% in one study).
- State Farm: often among the more moderate increases for large national carriers (~24% in some studies).
- GEICO: often shows higher average increase figures (over 50% in some comparisons). (lendingtree.com)

Why the variation?

Underwriting target market: some carriers prefer low-risk/more conservative drivers and price accordingly.
Geographic footprint: insurers that underwrite mostly in low-claim regions have different pricing tolerance.
Product design: some carriers offer “accident forgiveness” or “first accident forgiveness” and will not raise premiums for your first claim, effectively nullifying the surcharge if conditions are met.

Action step: after an accident, request quotes from multiple carriers and ask about:

Accident forgiveness eligibility
How long the surcharge will apply
Whether the carrier uses CLUE lookback beyond the typical 3–5 years

Filing claims vs. paying out-of-pocket: 3–5 year cost comparison (worked approach)

When deciding whether to file a claim for a small damage event, weigh:

Immediate repair cost (your deductible + any discretionary gap),
Expected premium increase (annual percent × years of surcharge),
Risk of additional repairs discovered later,
Whether the other party will file against you (liability concerns).

Example decision framework

Repairs estimated at $2,000, deductible $500 → insurance payout $1,500.
If filing triggers a 35% premium increase on a $1,400/year policy → +$490/year → over 3 years = $1,470 additional premiums (approx).
Net effect of filing (3-year window): insurer pays $1,500 but you pay $500 deductible + $1,470 extra premiums = $1,970 net consumer cost over 3 years — higher than the repair cost if you paid out-of-pocket ($2,000) in this example the math almost breaks even; but if the surcharge is larger or your baseline premium higher, filing becomes more expensive long-term.

Rule of thumb:

If the expected multi‑year surcharge cost (pct increase × baseline × years) > (repair cost − deductible), consider paying out-of-pocket — provided there are no safety or liability reasons to file.
Always prioritize bodily injury liability events and legal obligations: if someone is injured or property damage is substantial, you must follow legal reporting and insurance requirements.

For a calculator approach, see the kind of tool described by related content: Accident claim cost calculator: estimate your premium increase and long-term ownership expense. (Internal link for running your own numbers.)

Policy choices and tactics that reduce the premium impact after a claim

Accident forgiveness endorsements
- If your policy has first-accident forgiveness and you qualify, a claim will often not raise your premium. Check eligibility, as forgiveness is sometimes tied to tenure and claims history.
Higher deductibles
- Raise your deductible (e.g., $500 → $1,000) to encourage paying minor repairs out-of-pocket. This reduces both claim frequency and future surcharges.
Shop carriers after an incident
- Many drivers find cheaper post‑claim rates with other carriers; insurers differ widely in how they treat prior claims. See: Insurer ranking: which carriers raise premiums the least after a claim (useful for switching insurers).
Maintain continuous coverage
- Lapses and SR‑22 filings can cause large hikes. Keep continuous coverage even during shopping.
Use glass-only repair programs
- If you have a glass-only claim, some carriers repair/replace without a surcharge or give a glass rider — use these options where available.
Defensive driving / credits
- Complete state‑approved defensive driving courses where allowed to mitigate DMV points and sometimes earn carrier discounts.
Add a pay‑per‑use or telematics policy
- Where available, usage-based programs (telemetry) can help show safer driving and reduce rate impact over renewal cycles.
Negotiate with your agent
- Use comparative renewal quotes to negotiate — agents may offer conservative surcharges if you threaten to switch.

Checklist: what to do immediately after an accident to limit costs and long-term surcharge exposure

Document: take photos, get names, insurance info, witness contacts.
File a police report when required (some states/insurers require it for claims).
Report to your insurer promptly — but understand the threshold for filing a claim (small damage threshold).
Get a repair estimate, compare it to your deductible — compute the long-term premium cost before deciding to claim.
Ask your agent: “If I file this claim, how much will my renewal premium change next term and for how many years?” Get the answer in writing if possible.
If liability is contested, preserve evidence and consider legal counsel before admitting fault.
Order your CLUE/loss history report if you plan to shop — review for errors (you’re entitled to a consumer copy). CLUE entries last about seven years; disputing errors is possible through LexisNexis. (insure.com)

Frequently asked questions (quick)

Q: How long will an at‑fault crash raise my rates?
A: Most insurers apply surcharges for approximately 3–5 years, with the largest effect in years 1–2. Severe incidents (DUI, major bodily injury, hit-and-run) can produce longer-term effects or require SR‑22 filings. (thezebra.com)

Q: Does a not‑at‑fault crash never raise my premiums?
A: Not necessarily — many carriers don’t surcharge if clearly not at fault and the other party pays; others apply a modest administrative surcharge. Always check with your carrier. (thezebra.com)

Q: Can I remove a claim from CLUE?
A: You can dispute errors with LexisNexis. Legitimate paid/denied claims legitimately reported generally remain for the CLUE retention window (~7 years). (insure.com)

Q: Should I ever file a small claim?
A: If the expected multi‑year surcharge cost exceeds your out‑of‑pocket repair cost (after deductible), paying directly may save money — but prioritize legal requirements and health/safety issues. Use a calculator to model the 3–5 year cost. (See internal tool link earlier.)

Final recommendations — practical next steps after reading this guide

Always obtain an immediate estimate of the long‑term premium impact from your agent before filing small claims.
If you have accident forgiveness, verify you qualify and what claims it covers.
If denied or misreported, order your CLUE report and dispute inaccurate entries right away. (insure.com)
Shop carriers if your renewal increases — post‑claim quotes can differ widely; compare at least three.
Consider taking a defensive driving course to reduce risk and possibly earn discounts.