Accident claims are sure to raise insurance rates, but how much more you can expect to pay may vary by where you live. On average nationally, car insurance rates go up 31% — or $450 — after just one at-fault accident with more than $2,000 in damage, according to data from Insurance.com. But for 13 states and the District of Columbia, average annual rates are more than $500 higher for drivers who have caused a recent accident. Drivers in these states and D.C. also pay more than $2,000 yearly for insurance after an accident claim. This information stems from a new study from the consumer resource site, in which Insurance.com researchers examined auto accident claims data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine the best and worst states for auto accident claims. As part of the study, Insurance.com researchers examined how much drivers in each state pay on average after a car accident claim and compiled the state rankings based on that data. |

Behind the rankings

According to the research, repair costs are a contributing factor to expensive insurance premiums after an accident. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the price for motor vehicle repairs was 66% higher in June 2019 than in June 2000. One of the reasons for the jump is the increasingly high-priced components in vehicles, making sufficient liability insurance limits a must for coverage plans. "Purchasing more liability coverage is a smart and fairly affordable option to protect against all sorts of unforeseen expenses after a collision," Penny Gusner, Insurance.com consumer analyst said in a statement. "We all know medical expenses are never cheap. But beyond that, even minor accidents without injuries can produce skyrocketing bills. The latest car models being rolled out cost more than ever to repair due to the expensive technology inside, such as sensors, cameras and electronic safety features that are pricey and difficult to replace." Insurance.com data also shows that drivers can save an average of $600 by comparing rates after an accident claim. The worst state for accident claims also has the highest insurance rates of any state and the Washington D.C. Drivers in this state see insurance premiums climb to an average of $3,502 after an at-fault accident — a 48% jump from the state's average premium cost of $2,368. In the slideshow above, discover which 10 states are the worst for auto accident claims, ranked by their average premium rate increases. See also: |

• The most expensive states for car owners
• QuoteWizard: The most dangerous months to drive during the last 10 years
• Drivers beware: Common auto insurance exclusions