How long does an accident affect my insurance rate?
In general, insurance companies look back at several years of your driving history when determining your car insurance rate. The amount of time an accident remains on your driving record, which can be used to determine your car insurance rate, may vary by your state and insurer.
How do at-fault vs. no-fault accidents affect my insurance rate?
At-fault accidents: Accidents you cause will almost always raise your insurance rate. In certain states, however, your insurer may not raise your premium for an accident if the damage is under a certain dollar amount. Your insurance company will stop charging you for the accident after a certain number of years (the length varies by insurer and state).
Do insurance rates go up after no-fault accidents?
It may seem unfair, but accidents that aren't your fault may still increase your rate depending on your state and insurer. Not-at-fault accidents can indicate a higher likelihood of future accidents. As with speeding tickets and most other violations, not-at-fault accidents stay on your driving record for a certain number of years (the length varies by state).
Will comprehensive claims increase my rate?
Yes, a comprehensive claim might increase your rate, depending on your insurer and state. Comprehensive claims include non-collision events like car theft, car vandalism, car fire, chipped/cracked windshield, hitting an animal, and acts of nature.
Insurers factor in comprehensive claims because they can indicate higher risk for filing more claims. For example: If you hit a deer once, insurers may view you as more likely to make another claim in the future.
What should I do after an accident?
After you've been in a car accident, your first steps are to ensure everyone's safety, report the accident to the police, exchange insurance information with the other driver, and start the insurance claims process. Find out how to file an insurance claim.
Progressive customers can file a claim through the Progressive mobile app, by logging in to your account online, or by calling 1-800-776-4737.
If you're looking for ways to ensure you're getting the lowest insurance rate after an accident, explore these resources:
- Tips to get cheap car insurance at Progressive
- Guide to switching car insurance companies
- How to shop for car insurance
How accident forgiveness can help
Depending on your state, Progressive customers enjoy Accident Forgiveness benefits through our Loyalty Rewards program. If you qualify, we won't increase your rate because you had an accident — even if it's your fault. The longer you're with Progressive, the better the Accident Forgiveness benefit. Here's how it works:
