Best Auto Insurance Companies for Accident Forgiveness (2023)
Accident forgiveness is offered in most states and by most auto insurers. To qualify for the best accident forgiveness auto insurance companies quotes you must have a clean driving record for at least five years. State Farm accident forgiveness insurance requires nine years accident free. Without accident forgiveness your first at-fault accident can affect your premium for a minimum of five years.
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Heidi Mertlich
Licensed Insurance Agent
Heidi works with top-rated insurance carriers to bring her clients the highest quality protection at the most competitive prices. She founded NoPhysicalTermLife.com, specializing in life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. Heidi is a regular contributor to several insurance websites, including FinanceBuzz.com, Insurist.com, Finance101.com, and Forbes. As a parent herself, she under...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Dec 4, 2023
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Dec 4, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Accident forgiveness is offered to safe drivers with no accidents or violations for at least five years
- Without accident forgiveness, your auto insurance rates can be affected for five years or more
- Not all states allow accident forgiveness as a part of auto insurance
Accidents can do major damage not just to your vehicle but to your auto insurance as well.
The best accident forgiveness auto insurance companies offer coverage to a policyholder for one at-fault incident. Accident forgiveness can lower a policyholders burden by maintaining decreased rates. However, it won’t change the other factors that affect car insurance rates.
Of course, there are certain eligibility requirements you have to meet to receive accident forgiveness car insurance. These requirements include clean driving records and safe driver records. There are also limitations such as one accident per policy and not per driver.
Discovering the most affordable accident forgiveness auto insurance companies will come down to your specific need for accident forgiveness, how and if accident forgiveness will affect your rate and what each auto insurance company offers under accident forgiveness.
Enter your ZIP code in the free tool above to see accident forgiveness car insurance quotes in your area.
What are the best accident forgiveness auto insurance companies?
Accident forgiveness means no increased rates after an accident but not all auto insurance companies offer accident forgiveness. Those that do include:
Allstate: Accident forgiveness is an optional policy feature. Accident forgiveness starts the day you sign up and is available for use after qualifying. Eligibility requirements include no reported accidents for a specified time period.
Geico: You can request accident forgiveness as an add-on policy feature. It can begin the day you sign up and is available for use after meeting the requirements. Eligibility requirements include no reported accidents or violations for a five-year time period. Your first at-fault accident is covered.
Liberty Mutual: Under this insurer, accident forgiveness is an add-on feature. To receive accident forgiveness you must have no reported accidents or violations for a five-year time period. Your first at-fault accident is covered.
Nationwide: You can purchase accident forgiveness as an add-on and your first at-fault accident will be covered. One must meet the eligibility requirements and keep a clean driving record with no reported accidents or violations for a specified time.
Progressive: Small Accident Forgiveness is an automatic feature available in every state where accident forgiveness is permitted. It covers the first at-fault accident under $500. Large Accident Forgiveness covers your first at-fault accident over $500 if you have no reported accidents for five years.
State Farm: State Farm accident forgiveness is an automatic feature available that covers your first at-fault accident. To be eligible, policyholders must have clean driving records and no accidents for nine years.
Travelers: The Responsible Driving Plan is an optional feature. It covers the first accident or minor violation. The Premier Driving Plan is an add-on feature and includes decreasing and total loss deductibles.
USAA: The USAA accident forgiveness feature is optional. Accident forgiveness can be used if all drivers under the policy have a clean record with no accidents for at least five years.
Not all states allow accident forgiveness. For example, California passed Proposition 103 which makes accident forgiveness illegal in the state. The other states that don’t allow accident forgiveness are Hawaii, New York, and South Carolina.
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What are the best accident forgiveness auto insurance company rates?
Without accident forgiveness, your first at-fault accident can skyrocket your premium when it’s time to renew.
| Auto Insurance Company | Rate Increase Without Accident Forgiveness | Rate Increase With Accident Forgiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $131.75 | $27.50 |
| USAA | $144.00 | $43.50 |
| State Farm | $160.42 | $25.33 |
| Geico | $165.92 | $60.83 |
| Nationwide | $181.17 | $68.83 |
| Liberty Mutual | $196.50 | $59.17 |
| Progressive | $213.00 | $97.33 |
| Allstate | $280.58 | $82.17 |
Even though an at-fault accident will remain on your driving record, accident forgiveness auto insurance quotes will remain low.
How Drivers With Accidents Save Money on Auto Insurance
Don’t worry if you’ve had a car accident. There are ways to lower your rates despite your driving record.
Some companies provide accident forgiveness if you’ve only been in one accident. Take advantage of this program when looking for auto insurance.
You can also enroll in a telematics program. Auto insurance companies use these programs to monitor your drive and offer you a discount based on how well you do.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, telematics programs can also make you a safer driver since you receive immediate feedback on your driving.
The easiest way to lower your rates is to look for auto insurance discounts. While some discounts are tied to your driving, such as a claims-free discount, other discounts are based on your policy itself or even your car.
This table shows you the common car insurance discounts for some of the top companies in the country. The amount of the discount is listed if it’s known.
| Discount Name | Allstate | American Family | Farmers | Geico | Liberty Mutual | Nationwide | Progressive | State Farm | Travelers | USAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes | 10% | ✓ | ✓ | 5% | 5% | 5% | ✓ | 5% | ||
| Anti-Theft | 10% | ✓ | 23% | 20% | 25% | ✓ | 15% | |||
| Claim Free | 35% | ✓ | ✓ | 26% | ✓ | 10% | ✓ | 15% | 23% | 12% |
| Continuous Coverage | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 15% | ✓ | ||
| Daytime Running Lights | 2% | ✓ | 3% | 5% | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Defensive Driver | 10% | 10% | ✓ | ✓ | 10% | 5% | 10% | 5% | 10% | 3% |
| Distant Student | 35% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 10% | ✓ | 7% | ||
| Driver's Ed | 10% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 10% | ✓ | 10% | 15% | 8% | 3% |
| Driving Device/App | 20% | 40% | ✓ | ✓ | 30% | 40% | 20% | 50% | 30% | 5% |
| Early Signing | 10% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 8% | ✓ | ✓ | 10% | 12% |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Emergency Deployment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 25% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Engaged Couple | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Family Legacy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 10% |
| Family Plan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 25% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Farm Vehicle | 10% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Fast 5 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Federal Employee | ✓ | ✓ | 12% | 10% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Forward Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Full Payment | 10% | ✓ | ✓ | $50 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 8% | ✓ | |
| Further Education | ✓ | ✓ | 10% | 15% | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Garaging/Storing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 90% | ||
| Good Credit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Good Student | 20% | ✓ | 15% | 23% | 10% | ✓ | 25% | 8% | 3% | |
| Green Vehicle | 10% | ✓ | 5% | ✓ | 10% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 10% | ✓ |
| Homeowner | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5% | ✓ | 3% | 5% | ✓ | |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Life Insurance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Low Mileage | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 30% | ||||||
| Loyalty | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Married | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Membership/Group | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 10% | 7% | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Military | ✓ | ✓ | 15% | 4% | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Military Garaging | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 15% |
| Multiple Drivers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multiple Policies | 10% | 29% | ✓ | 10% | 20% | 10% | 12% | 17% | 13% | |
| Multiple Vehicles | ✓ | ✓ | 25% | 10% | 20% | 10% | 20% | 8% | ||
| New Address | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| New Customer/New Plan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| New Graduate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| New Vehicle | 30% | ✓ | ✓ | 15% | ✓ | 40% | 10% | 12% | ||
| Newly Licensed | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Newlyweds | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Non-Smoker/Non-Drinker | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Occasional Operator | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Occupation | ✓ | 10% | 15% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| On-Time Payments | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 15% | ✓ | |
| Online Shopper | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 7% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paperless Documents | 10% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5% | $50 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Paperless/Auto Billing | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | $30 | ✓ | $20 | 3% | 3% | |
| Passive Restraint | 30% | 30% | 40% | 20% | ✓ | 40% | ||||
| Recent Retirees | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 4% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Renter | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roadside Assistance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Safe Driver | 45% | ✓ | 15% | ✓ | 35% | 31% | 15% | 23% | 12% | |
| Seat Belt Use | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 15% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Senior Driver | 10% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Stable Residence | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Students & Alumni | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 10% | 7% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Switching Provider | ✓ | ✓ | 10% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Utility Vehicle | 15% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Vehicle Recovery | 10% | ✓ | ✓ | 15% | 35% | 25% | ✓ | 5% | ||
| VIN Etching | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Volunteer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Young Driver | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | $75 |
Safety is important when purchasing a vehicle and can really make a difference in an accident. But, did you know that those safety features can also help lower your auto insurance?
According to MyCarDoesWhat.org, some safety features, such as anti-lock brakes and collision warnings, are common on most newer cars.
Auto insurance companies are willing to give discounts for those features since they can help you avoid an accident. Be sure to know what features are on your vehicle and ask for those discounts.
Is accident forgiveness auto insurance worth it?
Auto insurance needs differ from person to person. Accident forgiveness is the same. You have to weigh if it’s worth it for you to invest in accident insurance.
If you’ve never had an accident and boast a clean record accident forgiveness may seem irrelevant. But some environmental situations may prompt you towards the idea.
if you live in a high-risk area or you’re often stuck in traffic during your commute or if one of your policyholders is a younger driver accident forgiveness may be worth it to you.
Some states also require a certain amount of coverage that falls under accident forgiveness. Learn the minimum car insurance requirements in your state.
Choosing the best accident forgiveness auto insurance company for your lifestyle comes down to your state, environmental driving factors, the right rate, and the accident forgiveness auto insurance company requirements that are easiest to meet for you.
Best Auto Insurance Companies for Accident Forgiveness: The Bottom Line
The best auto insurance companies for people with accidents will vary for each driver, but many companies offer accident forgiveness and discounts to help keep rates low.
At-fault accidents, traffic tickets, and DUIs, OH MY!!!😱 These will raise drivers’ auto insurance rates!👀 Shop around at https://t.co/27f1xf131D for quotes to find cheaper rates! Visit: https://t.co/tczSjuPzp4 for more info on buying car insurance with a bad driving record.🚗 pic.twitter.com/WTU64wckUP
— AutoInsurance.org (@AutoInsurance) March 21, 2023
Shop around to find the best deal before you buy cheap car insurance after an accident. Compare rates and discounts to get the most coverage with the lowest rates.
Enter your ZIP code to compare quotes from the best auto insurance companies for people with accidents in your area for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my rates be higher if I have a history of accidents?
Generally, having a history of accidents may lead to higher insurance rates. Insurance companies often consider an individual’s driving record as a factor in determining premiums. However, the exact impact on rates can vary depending on the severity and frequency of the accidents, as well as other factors such as your age and location.
What is accident forgiveness in auto insurance?
Accident forgiveness is a feature offered by some auto insurance companies that protects drivers from premium increases following their first at-fault accident. It allows policyholders to maintain their current rates even after being involved in an accident.
How does accident forgiveness work?
The specifics of accident forgiveness can vary depending on the insurance company. Generally, it requires drivers to meet certain criteria, such as maintaining a clean driving record for a specified period before the accident forgiveness takes effect. Once the criteria are met, the policyholder’s first at-fault accident will not result in a premium increase.
What factors should I consider when choosing an auto insurance company with accident forgiveness?
When selecting an auto insurance company with accident forgiveness, consider the following six factors:
- Eligibility requirements
- Policy cost
- Coverage options
- Deductibles
- Customer service and claims process
- Additional benefits
Which are the best auto insurance companies for drivers with accidents?
While the best auto insurance companies for drivers with accidents can vary depending on individual circumstances, some companies are known for providing competitive rates and options for drivers with accident histories. Examples of such companies include Geico, Progressive, Allstate, State Farm, and Farmers Insurance.
Can accident forgiveness be added to an existing auto insurance policy?
Yes, accident forgiveness coverage can usually be added to an existing auto insurance policy. However, the availability and terms of accident forgiveness may vary depending on the insurance company. Contact your insurance provider to inquire about adding accident forgiveness to your policy.
Is accident forgiveness available for all drivers?
Accident forgiveness may not be available to all drivers. Insurance companies typically have eligibility requirements, such as maintaining a clean driving record for a specific period. Additionally, some companies may exclude certain types of drivers, such as new drivers or drivers with certain violations on their record. Check with your insurance provider to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Does accident forgiveness affect my premium or deductible?
Accident forgiveness usually does not impact your premium or deductible directly. The primary benefit is that your insurance rates will not increase after your first at-fault accident. However, accident forgiveness typically does not waive your deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in.
Can I transfer accident forgiveness coverage to a new insurance company?
Accident forgiveness coverage is typically tied to the insurance company providing the policy. If you switch insurers, you may lose the accident forgiveness benefit associated with your previous policy.
However, some insurance companies may offer similar forgiveness programs, so it’s worth inquiring about accident forgiveness when obtaining quotes from new providers.
Are there any discounts available for drivers with accidents?
In addition to the accident forgiveness program, some auto insurance companies offer safe driving programs that can help you earn discounts over time by maintaining a clean driving record.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Heidi Mertlich
Licensed Insurance Agent
Heidi works with top-rated insurance carriers to bring her clients the highest quality protection at the most competitive prices. She founded NoPhysicalTermLife.com, specializing in life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. Heidi is a regular contributor to several insurance websites, including FinanceBuzz.com, Insurist.com, Finance101.com, and Forbes. As a parent herself, she under...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.