Will my insurance premium increase if I file an auto insurance claim with Nationwide? (2026)

As one of the country’s best affordable auto insurance companies, Nationwide abides by standard rules concerning premium increases and accident claims. 

So if you’re wondering if your premium will increase if you file an auto insurance claim with Nationwide, the answer will depend on whether you’re at fault for an accident or have a questionable, high-risk driving record. Understanding when claims can cause a premium increase should help you become the most responsible driver you can be. 

When Auto Insurance Claims Cause a Premium Increase With Nationwide

Filing a claim doesn’t increase auto insurance premiums, but the nature of the claim and the details surrounding the accident can cause a rise in monthly premiums with Nationwide. Whether or not your rate increases after you file a claim depends on who is at fault.

If you cause an accident, you will likely see your monthly premium increase because you caused Nationwide financial loss. Nationwide pays for the damage to the other driver’s vehicle via your liability auto insurance coverage and for your own damages when you have collision insurance. Increasing premiums helps Nationwide offset the costs of the claim you’ve recently filed and any claims you may file in the future. 

Premium Increases Depend on the Accident

The type of accident may determine how much your monthly premium increases with Nationwide. For example, you might see an especially high increase if you drove under the influence, caused extensive property damage, or severely injured yourself and others. In these scenarios, Nationwide may also deny policy renewal.

Read More: How a DUI Affects Your Auto Insurance Rates

While keeping in mind that you do have to tell your insurer about old car accidents, you can shop around for auto insurance discounts and find auto insurance quotes online if your premiums increase too much. 

When You’re Not At Fault in an Accident

If you are not at fault for a collision, your insurance premium generally won’t increase. However, sometimes there is a disagreement about who is at fault. Read more on what happens if the other driver disputes who is at fault in the accident and what happens if fault can’t be determined after a car accident.

Your insurance rates don’t go up when you’re not at fault because the at-fault driver’s insurance company is financially responsible for repairs and injuries. That said, if you have a history of claims or caused an accident in the past, your driving record might show that you have a knack for being involved in accidents. This might lead to an increase even if you were not at fault for this specific incident.

Furthermore, if the at-fault driver doesn’t have coverage, you may need to use uninsured motorist coverage, a type of auto insurance coverage that costs Nationwide money. If your claim reflects this, you may see an increase in monthly premiums despite not bearing the blame for the incident. 

Nationwide’s Accident Forgiveness Program

First-time drivers who cause an accident may be able to avoid premium increases with Nationwide.

Drivers can buy accident forgiveness with Nationwide as an add-on to their current policy. The idea is to sacrifice a small amount to offset the cost of paying for insurance rate hikes in the future. However, it is only available in select states, and you can only use it once per policy. 

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Increasing Premiums After Filing an Auto Insurance Claim With Nationwide

Many drivers will make a mistake in their lifetime, but you don’t have to let an at-fault accident claim ruin your finances. Increases in premiums are often unavoidable when you make a mistake, but not letting it become a trend that tarnishes your reputation as a driver is critical. Even not-at-fault drivers can see premium increases, so keeping your eyes peeled for more affordable insurance options is always a good idea.