Cars With the Highest Accident Rates (2026)

Maintaining a safe driving record is one of the most meaningful ways drivers can avoid a spike in their insurance costs. A single at-fault accident raises rates by about 34%, on average.

Nationally, full-coverage car insurance rates have already risen more than 30% since 2022, far outpacing inflation, according to Compare.com data. An increase in risky driving in the wake of the pandemic contributed to that spike. After years of relatively open roads and lax traffic enforcement, drivers picked up less safe behaviors: hard braking, speeding, and distracted driving.^[1]

The good news is that nationwide, fatal crashes declined by about 20% from 2021 to 2025.^[2] Still, risky driving persists and tends to be more common among drivers of certain vehicles.

Compare.com found that two of the three car models with the highest at-fault accident rates are BMW sedans, the 3 Series and 5 Series, according to our proprietary database of more than 58 million insurance quotes.

Driver applications for these quotes collect whether the applicant has caused an accident in the past three years, providing insights into which vehicles tend to have the most dangerous drivers. To prioritize mainstream vehicles, Compare.com data scientists examined the 111 most popular car models still in production.

In addition to identifying the 10 models with the highest overall at-fault accident rate, Compare.com also analyzed accident-prone models by driver age.

Key Findings

• BMW 3 Series drivers are the most accident-prone, according to Compare.com quote data. About 1 in 12 (8.4%) reported an at-fault accident in the past three years, compared to a national average of 4.8%.

• A driver with a previously clean driving record can expect to see their rates jump by about 34% on average after causing an accident, according to Compare.com’s proprietary quote database.

• Gen Z drivers have an at-fault accident rate of 7.8%, more than double the rate baby boomers reported (3.6%).

• The car models with the highest accident rates for Gen Z are the BMW 2 Series (19.0%), Chevrolet Blazer (13.8%), BMW 3 Series (11.8%), and BMW 5 Series (10.5%).

Top 10 Car Models With the Highest At-Fault Accident Rates

A key aspect of car insurance pricing is whether insurers expect a driver to file accident claims. Of course, drivers can’t control what other motorists do on the road, so insurers rely, in part, on whether the applicant has caused an accident in recent years.

Compare.com data shows that after an at-fault accident, average premiums for the driver jump by about $396 to $732. On average, about 1 in 20 drivers (4.8%) have a recent at-fault accident on their record, but that rate tends to vary significantly depending on what vehicle they use.

1. BMW 3 Series

• Percentage of drivers with a recent at-fault accident: 8.4%

• Average annual premium with an accident: $3,910

• Average annual premium with a clean record: $2,817

The BMW 3 Series is a luxury sports sedan that has the highest accident rate of any popular vehicle in Compare.com’s quote database. Its at-fault accident rate of 8.4% is noticeably higher than the average car model’s rate of 4.8%. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave 2025 models a 5-star safety rating. However, BMW issued a recall for older model years (2021 to 2024) in February due to the possibility of the engine starter overheating and catching fire.^[3]

2. Chevrolet Blazer

• Percentage of drivers with a recent at-fault accident: 7.5%

• Average annual premium with an accident: $3,462

• Average annual premium with a clean record: $2,485

The Chevrolet Blazer has evolved over the years, ditching its boxy truck base and becoming a sleeker midsize crossover SUV.^[4] The Blazer has electric and gas-powered models, both of which received 5-star safety ratings from the NHTSA in 2025. The gas-powered models, however, didn’t meet the agency’s performance criteria for dynamic braking support, and some vehicles were recalled in 2024 due to doors potentially opening unexpectedly.^[5]

3. BMW 5 Series

• Percentage of drivers with a recent at-fault accident: 6.8%

• Average annual premium with an accident: $4,251

• Average annual premium with a clean record: $3,212

This executive luxury sedan has the third-highest at-fault accident rate of popular models. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the BMW 5 Series a Top Safety Pick in 2024.^[6] In February, BMW recalled some 5 Series vehicles due to a risk of short-circuiting, potentially causing a fire, from damaged wire harnesses.^[7]

4. Ford Bronco

• Percentage of drivers with a recent at-fault accident: 6.6%

• Average annual premium with an accident: $3,372

• Average annual premium with a clean record: $2,282

The Ford Bronco is an off-road SUV that mainly competes against the Jeep Wrangler. Models have received good reviews for their all-terrain capabilities but have also been dinged for low fuel economy.^[8] The NHTSA gave 2025 models 4 out of 5 stars for frontal crash safety and 3 out of 5 for rollover safety, reporting a rollover risk of 25.6% with its high-riding design.^[9]

5. Kia K4

• Percentage of drivers with a recent at-fault accident: 6.5%

• Average annual premium with an accident: $4,219

• Average annual premium with a clean record: $3,262

This compact sedan is an updated, larger version of its predecessor, the Kia Forte. The K4’s 2025 models received a 5-star safety rating from NHTSA, with 4 out of 5 stars specifically for frontal crash safety.^[10] In general, the smaller size of compact and subcompact cars leads to an above-average fatality rate, due to collision risk with larger vehicles.^[11]

6. Lexus IS

• Percentage of drivers with a recent at-fault accident: 6.4%

• Average annual premium with an accident: $3,939

• Average annual premium with a clean record: $2,940

The Lexus IS is a luxury sports sedan that competes against the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Audi A4. While the car is priced close to sports sedans in its class, Edmunds reviewers say it has fallen behind competitors, with less space for rear seating and a less advanced entertainment system. In terms of safety, the NHTSA awarded all 2025 trims 5-star safety ratings, with the agency reporting no recalls.^[12]

7. Subaru Impreza

• Percentage of drivers with a recent at-fault accident: 6.2%

• Average annual premium with an accident: $2,568

• Average annual premium with a clean record: $2,045

The Subaru Impreza is a compact hatchback that is generally cheaper to insure than many of the other models on this list, according to Compare.com data. That could change moving forward. Subaru no longer offers the base model starting with model year 2026, in favor of pricier trims.^[13] The NHTSA hasn’t yet posted an overall safety rating for 2026 models, yet previous model years scored consistent 5-star safety ratings.^[14]

8. Ford Bronco Sport

• Percentage of drivers with a recent at-fault accident: 6.2%

• Average annual premium with an accident: $3,158

• Average annual premium with a clean record: $2,272

The Ford Bronco Sport is a distinct model from the Ford Bronco. The Ford Bronco Sport is smaller, cheaper, and closer to a crossover than the Ford Bronco. In late May, Ford recalled certain Bronco Sport vehicles from model years 2021 to 2026, prompting the NHTSA to issue a “Do Not Drive” warning. The agency reports that a problem affecting wheel attachment could “cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.”^[15]

9. Kia K5

• Percentage of drivers with a recent at-fault accident: 6.2%

• Average annual premium with an accident: $4,114

• Average annual premium with a clean record: $3,172

The K5, previously known as the Kia Optima, is a midsize sedan that competes against the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.^[16] The NHTSA gave the 2025 models an overall safety rating of 5 stars, with 4 stars specifically for frontal crash safety and rollover risk.^[17] The automotive website Jalopnik, however, called it “the deadliest car in its class,” citing a fatal accident rate of 7.1 per billion miles traveled, compared to 2.5 per billion miles for other midsize cars.^[11]

10. Tesla Model 3

• Percentage of drivers with a recent at-fault accident: 6.2%

• Average annual premium with an accident: $5,334

• Average annual premium with a clean record: $4,162

While other popular Tesla models saw declining sales in 2025, the Model 3 reported a 37% sales increase from the previous year, likely due to its position as the cheapest vehicle in Tesla’s lineup.^[18] The NHTSA gave the car 5-star safety ratings for model year 2023, the most recent rating for the vehicle.^[19] While the Model 3 has the highest at-fault accident rate of Tesla’s models, our research shows the Cybertruck has a DUI rate triple that of other Teslas.

Gen Z Drivers Report Twice As Many At-Fault Accidents As Baby Boomers

Younger drivers often pay higher car insurance rates than older drivers. Compare.com data shows the average full-coverage rate for a driver in their teens is 116% higher than for senior drivers.

Car insurance companies constantly try to balance the rates they charge with the financial risk they face. Gen Z drivers tend to be riskier to insure, given that their rate of reported at-fault accidents is more than double that of baby boomers (7.8% vs. 3.6%).

Gen Z

Gen Z has the highest at-fault accident rate of any generation, illustrating why car insurance companies generally charge higher premiums to younger drivers. Younger drivers are more likely to speed, tailgate, and drive distracted. Research suggests those behaviors are a result of ongoing development in areas of the brain responsible for judgment and decisions.^[20]

These behaviors manifest relatively frequently for young BMW drivers. Gen Zers who drive a BMW 2 Series have an at-fault accident rate nearly four times the national average (19.0% vs. 4.8%).

Gen Z: Top 5 Models With Highest At-Fault Accident Rates

Model	At-Fault Accident Rate for Gen Z	Average Annual Cost of Full-Coverage Insurance With an Accident
BMW 2 Series	19.0%	$5,199
Chevrolet Blazer	13.8%	$4,224
BMW 3 Series	11.8%	$4,788
BMW 5 Series	10.5%	$5,459
Ford Bronco Sport	10.1%	$3,862

Millennials

Millennials don’t scare insurers as much as Gen Z drivers, yet they still report above-average rates of at-fault accidents. Millennials today are between 30 and 45 years old, and they pay less for car insurance than drivers in their 20s. But they still pay more than drivers in their 50s or 60s on average.

Millennials: Top 5 Models With Highest At-Fault Accident Rates

Model	At-Fault Accident Rate for Millennials	Average Annual Cost of Full-Coverage Insurance With an Accident
BMW 4 Series	10.1%	$4,629
Chrysler Voyager	9.4%	$3,107
Chevrolet Blazer	9.2%	$3,346
Ford Bronco	9.0%	$3,072
BMW 3 Series	8.9%	$3,793

Gen X

Gen X is unique in that it’s the only generation for which its most accident-prone drivers aren’t behind the wheel of a BMW. Instead, the Audi Q5 has the highest at-fault accident rate, followed by the Tesla Model 3. Despite ranking lower for at-fault accident rates, Tesla models often face higher insurance premiums because of advanced technology that’s more expensive for insurers to replace.

Gen X: Top 5 Models With Highest At-Fault Accident Rates

Model	At-Fault Accident Rate for Gen X	Average Annual Cost of Full-Coverage Insurance With an Accident
Audi Q5	5.4%	$3,181
Tesla Model 3	5.3%	$5,136
Volkswagen Tiguan	5.3%	$2,810
BMW 3 Series	5.2%	$3,476
Volvo XC90	5.1%	$2,765

Baby boomers

More driving experience generally correlates with fewer accidents.^[21] The youngest baby boomers today are 62 years old, which means they may have upwards of 40 years of driving experience.

The car with the highest at-fault accident rate for baby boomers is the BMW 3 Series, with 4.9% reporting an at-fault accident. This is even lower than the least accident-prone qualifying vehicle for Gen Z drivers, the Nissan Armada, which has an at-fault accident rate of 5.2% when younger drivers are behind the wheel, according to Compare.com data.

Baby Boomers: Top 5 Models With Highest At-Fault Accident Rates

Model	At-Fault Accident Rate for Baby Boomers	Average Annual Cost of Full-Coverage Insurance With an Accident
BMW 3 Series	4.9%	$3,156
Volkswagen Tiguan	4.5%	$2,551
Toyota Prius	4.4%	$2,547
RAM 2500	4.4%	$2,917
Mazda CX-5	4.4%	$2,309

Tips: How Drivers Can Save on Car Insurance Premiums

A propensity for risky driving is one of the most important factors insurers take into account when setting car insurance premiums. Risky driving means a higher chance of an accident, which means a higher likelihood that the driver will cost their insurer more money in claims payments, both to other drivers and to their vehicle repairs if the driver carries full-coverage insurance.

As such, one of the easiest ways to ensure drivers aren’t overpaying for insurance is to practice safe driving, such as going at or below the speed limit, avoiding distracted driving, and not driving while intoxicated. (Drivers with a DUI on their record pay 44% more for car insurance than those with a clean record, on average.)

If drivers already practice responsible driving, they can still save money on premiums by comparing car insurance quotes among different insurers at least every six months. Drivers who have previously compared and switched insurers pay about 7% less on average than drivers who have never changed insurers, according to our research.

If drivers are happy with their existing policy, they can still seek out extra savings by asking their agent if they’re eligible for any discounts. Drivers may earn discounts for taking a defensive driving course, paying for their policy in full, and bundling multiple policies with the same insurer, among other ways to save.

Methodology

Compare.com data scientists reviewed more than 58 million rates using our proprietary database, quoted via integrations with partnering insurance companies. Insurance applications come from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and contain information on the precise coverage specifications within each policy quote that drivers see.

Accident data in this report comes from insurance applications dated January 2025 to May 2026. Accident rates reflect the share of drivers of a certain model reporting an at-fault accident within the past three years, according to their insurance applications. Compare.com examined the 111 most popular vehicles still in production.

The full-coverage car insurance premiums in this report reflect the median insurance cost for drivers ages 20 to 70, with at least one at-fault accident on their driving record, unless noted. Annual prices use two-year rolling medians to mitigate market volatility in recent years.

Full-coverage premiums represent policies with bodily injury limits between state-minimum requirements and $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident; property damage coverage between $10,000 and $50,000; and comprehensive and collision coverage with deductibles of $1,000.

Car Model	Percentage of Drivers With a Recent At-Fault Accident	Average Annual Full-Coverage Insurance Cost (Clean Record)	Average Annual Full-Coverage Insurance Cost (With Recent At-Fault Accident)
BMW 3 Series	8.4%	$2,817	$3,910
Chevrolet Blazer	7.5%	$2,485	$3,462
BMW 5 Series	6.8%	$3,212	$4,251
Ford Bronco	6.6%	$2,282	$3,372
Kia K4	6.5%	$3,262	$4,219
Lexus IS	6.4%	$2,940	$3,939
GMC Canyon	6.2%	$2,072	$2,897
Ford Bronco Sport	6.2%	$2,272	$3,158
Honda Civic	6.2%	$2,547	$3,321
Kia K5	6.2%	$3,172	$4,114
Tesla Model 3	6.2%	$4,162	$5,334
Subaru Impreza	6.2%	$2,045	$2,568
Volkswagen Jetta	6.0%	$2,451	$3,330
Hyundai Elantra	6.0%	$2,711	$3,524
Audi Q5	5.9%	$2,578	$3,417
Mazda CX-5	5.8%	$2,061	$2,743
Volkswagen Tiguan	5.8%	$2,277	$2,953
Volkswagen Taos	5.8%	$2,555	$3,168
Subaru Crosstrek	5.7%	$1,969	$2,559
Mazda CX-30	5.7%	$2,307	$2,886
Honda Accord	5.6%	$2,459	$3,244
RAM 2500	5.5%	$2,604	$3,671
Mercedes-Benz C-Class	5.5%	$3,211	$4,403
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited	5.5%	$2,186	$2,977
Hyundai Sonata	5.5%	$2,662	$3,508
Chevrolet Trax	5.4%	$2,232	$3,001
Hyundai Kona	5.4%	$2,381	$3,194
RAM 1500	5.4%	$2,539	$3,403
Nissan Sentra	5.4%	$2,772	$3,658
Honda HR-V	5.4%	$2,324	$3,000
Toyota Corolla	5.4%	$2,689	$3,454
Ford Mustang	5.4%	$2,979	$3,799
Mercedes-Benz E-Class	5.3%	$2,960	$3,809
Toyota Prius	5.3%	$2,274	$2,920
BMW X3	5.3%	$2,785	$3,534
Mazda 3	5.2%	$2,380	$3,284
Chevrolet Silverado	5.2%	$2,268	$3,061
Kia Telluride	5.2%	$2,329	$3,080
Nissan Altima	5.2%	$2,863	$3,760
MINI Cooper	5.2%	$2,032	$2,624
Subaru Forester	5.2%	$1,801	$2,319
Dodge Durango	5.1%	$2,495	$3,473
Subaru Outback	5.1%	$1,765	$2,441
Lexus NX	5.1%	$2,604	$3,503
Jeep Cherokee	5.1%	$2,201	$2,886
Toyota Camry	5.1%	$2,734	$3,504
Volkswagen Atlas	5.1%	$2,437	$3,110
Infiniti QX60	5.1%	$2,741	$3,479
Kia Seltos	5.0%	$2,297	$3,141
Tesla Model Y	5.0%	$3,846	$5,204
Toyota Tacoma	5.0%	$2,275	$3,051
Hyundai Tucson	5.0%	$2,229	$2,961
Jeep Compass	5.0%	$2,233	$2,960
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport	5.0%	$2,440	$3,213
Nissan Rogue	5.0%	$2,312	$3,003
Acura RDX	5.0%	$2,159	$2,787
Lexus ES	5.0%	$2,671	$3,403
Volvo XC90	5.0%	$2,241	$2,391
Chevrolet Trailblazer	4.9%	$2,214	$2,926
Toyota RAV4	4.9%	$2,122	$2,800
Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class	4.9%	$2,774	$3,622
Kia Sportage	4.9%	$2,233	$2,899
Toyota Highlander	4.9%	$2,148	$2,766
Honda Pilot	4.9%	$2,086	$2,672
Chevrolet Traverse	4.9%	$2,198	$2,747
RAM 3500	4.8%	$2,655	$3,850
BMW 2 Series	4.8%	$3,059	$4,340
Hyundai Santa FE	4.8%	$2,238	$2,990
Acura MDX	4.8%	$2,398	$3,199
Toyota Tundra	4.8%	$2,278	$2,936
Lexus RX	4.8%	$2,358	$3,038
Honda CR-V	4.8%	$1,963	$2,510
Chevrolet Equinox	4.8%	$2,120	$2,698
Nissan Pathfinder	4.8%	$2,343	$2,911
Nissan Kicks	4.7%	$2,566	$3,403
Buick Encore GX	4.7%	$2,294	$3,023
Volvo XC60	4.7%	$2,214	$2,909
Mitsubishi Outlander	4.7%	$2,578	$3,321
Kia Sorento	4.7%	$2,212	$2,828
Toyota 4Runner	4.6%	$1,948	$2,595
GMC Acadia	4.6%	$2,131	$2,784
GMC Terrain	4.6%	$2,043	$2,658
Chevrolet Colorado	4.6%	$2,148	$2,716
Ford Ranger	4.6%	$2,018	$2,495
Subaru Ascent	4.5%	$2,025	$2,766
Toyota Corolla Cross	4.5%	$2,611	$3,403
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class	4.5%	$2,983	$3,830
GMC Sierra	4.4%	$2,316	$3,099
Nissan Murano	4.4%	$2,109	$2,821
Toyota Sienna	4.4%	$2,017	$2,689
BMW X5	4.4%	$2,933	$3,766
Hyundai Palisade	4.3%	$2,538	$3,353
Chevrolet Tahoe	4.3%	$2,276	$2,940
Toyota Sequoia	4.3%	$2,185	$2,765
Honda Ridgeline	4.1%	$2,070	$2,845
GMC Yukon XL	4.1%	$2,309	$3,064
Chevrolet Suburban	4.1%	$2,294	$3,026
Honda Odyssey	4.1%	$1,920	$2,460
Lincoln Navigator	4.1%	$2,392	$2,879
GMC Yukon	4.0%	$2,221	$2,780
Ford Expedition	4.0%	$2,253	$2,797
Buick Enclave	3.9%	$2,072	$2,724
GMC Savana	3.8%	$2,191	$3,584
Nissan Frontier	3.7%	$2,200	$3,015
Cadillac Escalade	3.6%	$2,810	$3,800
Ford Explorer	3.6%	$2,111	$2,730
Jeep Gladiator	3.6%	$2,427	$3,130
Chevrolet Corvette	3.6%	$2,959	$3,779
Nissan Armada	3.5%	$2,352	$3,110
Mercedes-Benz S-Class	3.0%	$3,857	$5,086
Lexus GX	2.9%	$2,404	$2,987