The truth is that even when that insurance claim is settled, the car accident is going to stay with you for a very long time. All you probably want to do as a driver is forget that the car insurance accident ever happened, but your insurance company, on the other hand, won't forget it. The Impact on a Premium The biggest area where you are going to feel the impact on a car insurance accident is in the premium you pay for your car insurance policy. When you suffer an accident, your insurance company rates it based on the severity of the accident. This will largely depend on the cost to the insurance company of recovering or compensating you. When you have a minor or major accident, the premium will increase depending on the points you have against you on your driving record. The schedule depends on the state. How long a car insurance accident can stay on your policy and its impact. your premium negatively depends largely on the state in which you live. Your motor vehicle record is linked to you at the state level, meaning your record if you drive in Massachusetts, for example, is with it.