Getting Car Insurance If I’ve Had Two Car Accidents?

Caeva O'Callaghan | April 8th, 2024

An accident is a bad enough headache as it is. But when you factor in car insurance, things get more complicated – for instance, will you be able to easily get another car insurance quote after the incident?

Not really – you will be very limited. It all depends on whose fault the accidents were. If you were not at fault on either occasion, you will be in a better position. If one accident was your fault, it may still be possible to obtain an alternative quote.

However, if both accidents were your fault – or the fault of a named driver on your policy, it is going to be very difficult to obtain an alternative quotation to your renewal premium.

In this article, we’ll answer questions such as:

• What does “fault” mean with car insurance?
• Can I renew my car insurance if I have an accident?
• How does an accident affect my car insurance?

It really all comes down to fault when it comes to convincing other insurance providers to give you a quote despite previous claims. Here’s what you need to know.

What happens when you make a claim

Statistically, people who make a claim on their car insurance are more likely to make one in future. It’s proved by nationally gathered data, which insurers rely on to calculate insurance risk. This is why your car insurance premium goes up after you make a claim.

There are many reasons why this is. If you claim on your insurance because a speeding driver hit you as you pulled out, you may live in an area prone to speeding. Your insurer is just protecting their interests in the event something like this should happen again.

These factors, and your insurance provider, will determine how much your premium rises. A general rule is that if you’re in doubt whether to make a claim, just ask your provider if it’s worth it. They won’t lead you down the garden path, as it’s best for everyone to be rational about it.

If your insurance won’t pay substantially more than you could out of your own pocket, it generally isn’t worth it.

Car insurance and at-fault claims

When an accident happens, everyone wants to know who was responsible. Your insurance company certainly wants to know if you are “at fault”.

In insurance parlance, this specific phrase means that you caused the accident to take place, either by your actions or by failing to act. If you are the cause of the accident, you could still be considered to be at fault even if the police or your insurance company divide the blame 51% to you and 49% to the other party.

If you had one accident that was your fault, your car insurance premium will go up even if you don’t make a claim. This is because some insurance providers consider that drivers who’ve had an accident (even if it wasn’t their fault and they didn’t make a claim) are more likely to be involved in another accident later on.

It goes without saying that you should always be up front with your provider about any accidents you have.

Regardless of whose fault it was, making a claim will nearly always lead to an increase in your car insurance premium. But, a non-fault claim won’t affect it as much as an at-fault claim will.

Getting car insurance with an at-fault claim

You will have extra difficulty finding a new car insurance provider if you want to switch after your accident. You always need to disclose previous accidents, even if you didn’t claim, whenever you get a quote. Failure to disclose these events will mean you’re in violation of the insurance policy’s terms and conditions.

You may not have as much trouble renewing your existing policy. However, which way you look at it, you will be paying more for your car insurance premium.

If you have been involved in recent car accidents and are looking to renew your insurance, call and talk to us today!

If you’ve had two or more previous accidents and want to try and save money on your car insurance, it’s worth giving us a call. Talk to our car insurance experts, they know all the angles when it comes to motor insurance. You can rest assured we’ll search the market on your behalf, and find you the most competitive quote we can. We are available for calls Mon-Fri between 8.30am and 5.30pm on 0818 224433 or 042 9359051.

If you are looking to get an immediate car insurance quote online, our quote engine compares the Irish motor insurance market from 13 of the leading insurance providers here.