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After an at-fault car accident, you’re probably concerned about how your insurance rates will be affected. It’s not uncommon for insurance premiums to go up, but luckily there are a few ways to get lower car insurance after an accident.
Reading: How to lower car insurance after accident
Car accidents are not only emotionally and physically draining, they can also put a dent in your wallet. In this article, we outline seven easy ways you can save money by lowering auto insurance costs after an at-fault accident. We’ve also taken the time to review the top auto insurance companies if you’re considering a new provider after a collision.
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in this article:
- 1. tell your auto insurance provider about your accident
- 2. ask your auto insurer about accident forgiveness
- 3. find an auto insurance provider with a lower premium
- 4. improve your credit score
- 5. look for insurance discounts
- 6. consider dropping your comprehensive coverage
- 7. join a usage based car insurance program
- best car insurance companies after an accident
1. tell your auto insurance provider about your accident
It may be tempting not to tell your insurance company about an accident if it’s minor, but telling your insurance representative is a wise move. The owner of the vehicle you crashed can sue you for damages you caused, even weeks after it happened.
If a driver sues you and you have not reported the accident to your insurance company, the insurance provider may refuse to pay your legal bills and possible payments to the other driver. therefore, while an insurance company may increase your rates if you report an accident, it is much safer to report it than not to report it.
2. ask your auto insurer about accident forgiveness
Accidents are a part of life, and some auto insurance companies recognize this by offering accident forgiveness insurance. The conditions required by each insurance company for the cancellation of accidents are different, so it is best to call your provider and ask what your conditions are.
Some insurance companies forgive your first accident and others forgive an accident after you’ve had insurance with them for three to five years. learn more in our guide to accident forgiveness insurance.
Companies that offer forgiveness for accidents include:
- geico
- allstate
- the hartford
- liberty mutual
- national
- progressive
- state farm
3. find a car insurance provider with a lower premium
Providers vary in their average auto insurance rates for drivers in at-fault accidents. Compared to other leading providers, Geico and State Farm generally offer lower auto insurance after an accident.
See also: Why is my insurance so high with no accidents
Our review team wrote an article on the top cheap car insurance providers, and these were our top five picks:
- usaa
- geico
- state farm
- american family insurance
- erie insurance
Whenever you shop for auto insurance, we recommend getting quotes from multiple providers so you can compare insurance coverage and choose the company that can offer the lowest rates. In addition to the insurance company you choose, factors like your age, vehicle make and model, and driving history can affect your premium, so what’s best for your neighbor may not be best for you. /p>
Use our tool below to start comparing cheap auto insurance providers.
4. improve your credit score
Many drivers know that auto insurance companies consider a driver’s accident history and whether they have a clean driving record when determining rates, but did you know that a driver’s credit score can also affect insurance premiums? car?
According to Investopedia, many insurers look at a driver’s credit history to determine the insurance rates they will offer. Insurance companies believe that people with higher credit scores are less likely to file a claim. therefore, it’s a good idea to try to improve your credit.
once your credit score increases, you may be able to get a more affordable policy from a different provider or one you already work with.
5. look for insurance discounts
Several auto insurance companies offer significant discounts to their customers. The table below shows common discounts offered by major insurance companies.
As you can see, many of the discounts vary based on the specific person applying for a discount, so it’s best to call the insurance company to find out what their specific discounts would be.
In addition to the discounts listed below, some insurance companies offer a discount for an anti-theft device. Geico offers a potential savings of 25 percent if you have an anti-theft system for your vehicle. your insurance company should be able to tell you if they offer this discount and which devices may qualify for it.
6. consider dropping your comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive auto insurance covers non-collision damage beyond your control, such as damage caused by a storm, fire or theft. Since this type of insurance is optional, you might consider dropping this coverage to reduce auto insurance after an accident.
Of course, stopping comprehensive coverage could expose you to high costs if a natural disaster or vandalism were to affect your vehicle. If you have a very old car with a low value that you hope to replace soon, it might be worth dropping this coverage. If you have a relatively new car that you would like to drive for many years to come, dropping this coverage is not recommended.
7. join a usage-based auto insurance program
Drivers who average less than 10,000 miles a year might consider joining a usage-based insurance program. When you sign up for one of these programs, a telemetric device will be installed in your car to calculate potential discounts based on how much, how well, and/or when you drive.
See also: Optometry Billing: Why Refraction Should Be Billed Separately?
Popular usage-based programs include drive safe & savetm, progressive’s snapshot® and allstate’s drivewise®. You might also consider purchasing metromile insurance, which charges you exclusively by the mile.
best car insurers after an accident
The aftermath of an accident is a good time to compare your current auto insurance provider’s offerings with those of other leading providers. Below, find out why we trust State Farm and Geico insurance policies to help reduce auto insurance after an accident.
or start comparing auto insurance quotes right away by entering your zip code here:
#1 State Farm Insurance: 4.6 Stars
We give state farm a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars for its coverage options, discounts, and affordability. These factors are important to someone concerned about rising insurance costs after an at-fault accident.
state farm rewards maintaining an accident-free driving record and making efforts to continually educate yourself on safe driving habits. discounts are available for good students, safe drivers, customers who combine multiple policies, and more. For drivers who are new to the road and concerned about an at-fault crash, State Farm is a good option because it has programs to help teen drivers stay safe during their first few years of driving.
To learn more, read our full review of state farm insurance.
geico insurance #2: 4.6 stars
like state farm, geico auto insurance earned a 4.6 star rating in our review. If you’re looking for new car insurance, Geico offers some of the lowest insurance rates in the industry after at-fault collisions.
geico has an easy-to-use mobile app that allows you to manage your account settings and quickly file a claim at the scene of a collision. This insurer also has nice discounts to help lower your premium, like having certain safety features installed on your car.
For more information on this provider’s insurance coverage, please read our full Geico review.
methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team compiles data from dozens of auto insurance providers to formulate rankings of the best insurers. companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Reputation: Insurers with strong financial ratings and customer-centric business practices receive the highest scores in this category.
- Availability: We consider availability by state, as well as exclusions for specific groups of drivers.
- Coverage: This rating is based on the types of insurance available, the maximum coverage limits and policy add-ons.
- cost and discounts: our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of drivers in each state. Companies with the lowest prices and many discount opportunities on auto insurance receive the highest scores.
- Customer Service: We analyzed customer reviews and feedback studies from expert consumers like j.d. power.
- technology: Auto insurers with mobile apps, advanced online services, and telematics are more likely to meet consumer needs.
Read our other auto insurance articles:
- does insurance cover slashed tires?
- car insurance grace period: how long is it covered?
- my car insurance was cancelled: now what?
- Is an aftermarket car warranty worth it?
- our guide to bumper-to-bumper warranties
- how to sue after an accident auto insurance
- do you need a lawyer after a car accident?
- how long after an accident can you sue?
- average cost of car insurance high risk
- I hit a parked car, will my insurance rates go up?
