We all make mistakes but when you make mistakes while driving your vehicle and you’re deemed at-fault, they can make getting car insurance tricky. Tricky, but not impossible.
We’re going to tell you everything you need to know about getting auto insurance after an accident, starting with the most important question: Can I get insurance after an accident?
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Yes, you can get car insurance after an accident but you can also expect it to cost roughly 38% more than your pre-accident insurance. 38% is only the average increase in cost too—some states may charge more and the greater the damage you do in the accident, the more you can expect to pay.
Why?
Because being at-fault in an accident makes you a risky driver, and when you are a higher risk driver, you’re more likely (as far as the insurance company is concerned) to get in more accidents, file more claims and need more money from them. So, they’re going to charge you more to cover you.
Car accidents usually stay on your record for about three years, but that can go as high as 10 years for serious accidents or incidents like reckless driving, hit and runs and DUIs.
Your accident may be a thing of the past but it can still impact your life now. There are, however, ways to offset the cost of the premium increase by taking advantage of certain discounts.
These discounts include:
Discounts aren’t the only way to reduce your car insurance after an accident. You may also want to pay a higher deductible, which is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in. This will lower your premiums, sometimes significantly.
You can also change your coverage to get rid of optional coverages, though you’ll need to maintain the minimum required levels by your state.
Finally, shop around. You may want to think about switching car insurance after an accident if your current provider’s premiums are prohibitive. Just be sure to settle the claim with your existing provider first and to avoid lapses between coverage, since coverage gaps can also increase your rates. Some providers charge fees if you cancel mid-policies, so that’s something to look into as well.
And remember, when you get quotes from other companies, do not take the first decent quote you receive. Get at least three quotes from a trusted agent.
One more thing, and we know it probably goes without saying: To lower your premiums after an accident, maintain a good driving record. Follow the speed limits and drive responsibly and within a few years, your rates will go back to normal.
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Accident forgiveness is great—If you had it before yoru accident. Accident forgiveness is a program offered by some providers that waives the first at-fault surcharge waived. These programs will only “forgive” one claim per set time (usually three to five years), but if you have it in place pre-accident, you can save yourself a lot of money in the long-run.
This said, not all providers offer this program and those that do charge a little more for it. So, if you need it, it’s worth it. And if you never end up needing it, it could be a waste of money.
An easy way to determine if it is right for you is to consider your driving history and your driving frequency. Even if you have a spotless driving record, if you are on the road a lot, you’re more likely to be in an accident so benefiting from accident forgiveness is a surer bet.
Conversely, if you don’t drive a lot and have a good driving record, then you probably won’t benefit from accident forgiveness.
When in doubt about anything to do with your auto insurance, talk to your agent. Request a fast and free quote and we’ll get you in touch with one, pronto.
Getting insurance after an accident is more expensive, but it’s not impossible. The key is reducing your rates through applicable discounts, and–of course–improving your driving habits so you don’t rack up more red flags on your record.
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That depends on the severity of the accident. Three to five years is standard for more minor infractions whereas your insurance rates could stay elevated for as long as 10 years after serious offences like reckless driving or a DUI.
Usually, yes. However, if the accident is small and you can pay out-of-pocket, then you may want to get an estimate before you file—which will almost inevitably increase your premiums. If you can pay for a minor fender bender yourself, you probably want to.
Jessica Fox Jessica Fox has been a freelance writer for five years, with a specialty in health, wellness, and insurance. During this time, she’s written for some of the biggest B2B and B2C brands from around the world. Jessica is also the mother of two young daughters and loves coffee, writing, and working out.
