What are the best companies for car insurance after an accident?
Travelers is the best car insurance company after an accident that has no eligibility requirements, with average annual rates of $2,832 a year, an A++ AM Best rating, a low NAIC complaint ratio of 0.62 and a score in our annual customer survey of 4.37 out of 5, resulting in an overall score of 4.66 for drivers with tickets.
USAA's rates are cheaper, but the carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims. is only available to military members, veterans and their families. And, while State Farm has the smallest increase after an accident of 26%, its base rates are higher, making Travelers, with a 44% rate increase, still the better deal, unless you were already paying a higher base rate before the accident.
Compare top carriers for drivers with an accident in the table below.
| Company | NAIC complaint ratio | AM Best | Survey score | Rate after accident | Rate before accident | % difference | Overall score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 1.2 | A+ | 4.35 | $5,589 | $3,159 | 88% | 3.61 |
| Amica | 0.59 | A+ | 4.19 | $4,308 | $2,769 | 56% | 4.13 |
| Farmers | 1.24 | A | 4.3 | $5,823 | $3,207 | 82% | 3.43 |
| GEICO | 0.6 | A++ | 4.27 | $3,872 | $2,159 | 79% | 4.35 |
| Nationwide | 0.64 | A | 4.41 | $4,359 | $2,524 | 73% | 4.1 |
| Progressive | 0.6 | A+ | 4.15 | $4,061 | $2,569 | 58% | 4.17 |
| State Farm | 0.87 | A+ | 4.38 | $3,634 | $2,875 | 26% | 4.27 |
| Travelers | 0.62 | A++ | 4.37 | $2,823 | $1,962 | 44% | 4.66 |
| USAA* | 1.16 | A++ | 4.55 | $2,490 | $1,628 | 53% | 4.53 |
*USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families.
Best car insurance after an accident for young drivers
The best car insurance company for young drivers is Travelers, with the cheapest average rate after an accident of $7,669 a year for an 18-year-old driver, along with the top AM Best financial stability score of A++, low complaint volume, and a high survey score.
Rates are already higher for young drivers, and can increase by as much as 55% after an accident at Allstate; while rate increases are lower at several carriers (16% at Amica, Progressive and Nationwide), higher base rates mean a much higher premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. after the increase. Travelers' rate increase of 27% is offset by its low base rates.
Here's how top carriers compare for an 18-year-old driver with an accident.
| Company | NAIC complaint ratio | AM Best | Survey score | Rate after accident | Rate before accident | Difference | Overall score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 1.2 | A+ | 4.35 | $14,524 | $8,737 | 55% | 3.85 |
| Amica | 0.59 | A+ | 4.19 | $10,440 | $8,778 | 16% | 4.26 |
| Farmers | 1.24 | A | 4.3 | $19,753 | $12,109 | 39% | 3.43 |
| GEICO | 0.6 | A++ | 4.27 | $9,667 | $5,972 | 38% | 4.41 |
| Nationwide | 0.64 | A | 4.41 | $10,113 | $8,531 | 16% | 4.26 |
| Progressive | 0.6 | A+ | 4.15 | $11,459 | $9,626 | 16% | 4.18 |
| State Farm | 0.87 | A+ | 4.38 | $9,324 | $7,537 | 19% | 4.28 |
| Travelers | 0.62 | A++ | 4.37 | $7,669 | $5,566 | 27% | 4.56 |
| USAA* | 1.16 | A++ | 4.55 | $7,861 | $4,581 | 42% | 4.4 |
*USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families.
Best car insurance after an accident for seniors
The best and cheapest car insurance company for seniors after an accident is Travelers, at an average rate of $2,779 a year for a 65-year-old driver and boasting a top AM Best score, low complaint volume and high score in our annual survey for an overall score of 4.62. For eligible military families, USAA is cheaper at an average of $2,556 a year.
State Farm has the smallest increase in rates after an accident at 20%, but has higher base rates; Travelers increases rates by an average of 34% with lower base rates, making it the cheaper choice overall.
Compare car insurance for seniors with an accident below.
| Company | NAIC complaint ratio | AM Best | Survey score | Rate after accident | Rate before accident | Difference | Overall score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 1.2 | A+ | 4.35 | $5,372 | $2,998 | 56% | 3.61 |
| Amica | 0.59 | A+ | 4.19 | $4,238 | $2,717 | 36% | 4.1 |
| Farmers | 1.24 | A | 4.3 | $5,362 | $2,829 | 47% | 3.5 |
| GEICO | 0.6 | A++ | 4.27 | $3,762 | $2,025 | 46% | 4.33 |
| Nationwide | 0.64 | A | 4.41 | $3,940 | $2,233 | 43% | 4.16 |
| Progressive | 0.6 | A+ | 4.15 | $3,774 | $2,218 | 41% | 4.19 |
| State Farm | 0.87 | A+ | 4.38 | $3,264 | $2,596 | 20% | 4.31 |
| Travelers | 0.62 | A++ | 4.37 | $2,779 | $1,836 | 34% | 4.62 |
| USAA | 1.16 | A++ | 4.55 | $2,556 | $1,531 | 40% | 4.53 |
Cheapest car insurance after an accident by state
The cheapest car insurance after an accident varies by state and carrier, with rates ranging from $1,381 a year with USAA in Indiana to $23,726 a year with The Hanover in Michigan. USAA, Travelers and State Farm frequently the cheapest option for those who qualify, but local carriers may also offer better rates; in Louisiana Southern Farm Bureau is the cheapest option at $2,819, and in Massachusetts it's Plymouth Rock at $2,587, highlighting the importance of shopping around.
Compare car insurance carriers for drivers with an accident in your state below.
| Carrier | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $2,849 | $237 |
| State Farm | $2,949 | $246 |
| GEICO | $3,235 | $270 |
| Allstate | $4,137 | $345 |
| USAA | $2,403 | $200 |
Can you get car insurance after an accident?
Yes, you can get car insurance after an accident, but rates will be higher, and coverage might be harder to obtain. For a single accident, expect a rate increase; if you have multiple accidents, your insurer may not renew your policy, in which case you'll have to find new coverage, possibly with a high-risk car insurance carrier.
Rate increases, or surcharges, for an accident are often accompanied by the loss of discounts, such as the good driver discount, which can further increase your rates.
“Accidents that show up on a driver's record will be seen negatively by an insurance company, likely causing an increase in premium,” says Lauren McKenzie of APlus Insurance in Liberty, South Carolina. “Along with the overall increase in premium, which is calculated based on the amount of points received, once drivers have an accident on their record, it may result in a loss of other discounts they were once receiving.”
However, some insurance carriers have cheaper rates after an accident, and shopping around can help you find them.
How much does car insurance go up after an accident?
Car insurance rates go up between 26% and 88% after a single at-fault accident, based on an Insurance.com analysis of rates from top carriers. While a not-at-fault accident can still raise your rates, it's unlikely unless if you have filed other claims in the past three years. The exact rate increase after an accident depends on your location, your driving history and your insurance company.
How to lower car insurance after an accident
To lower your car insurance after an accident, compare quotes from multiple insurance companies, raise your deductibleThe deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered loss when you file a claim., take a defensive driving course, and adjust your policy with additional discounts or changes to your coverage. Take these steps:
- Shop around: Get quotes from as many carriers as you can to compare and find the best rate
- Raise your deductible: A higher deductible means lower rates, but choose one you can afford
- Take a driving course: A defensive driving course can earn you a discount, but check with your carrier to find out which courses are approved
- Take advantage of other discounts: Ask about discounts you might be missing, like good student or low mileage discounts.
- Reduce coverage you don’t need: If you have an older car that is paid off, consider dropping to liability-only coverage.
Shopping around is the single most effective way to find a better rate after an accident. Rates can vary by thousands of dollars a year between carriers, as shown in the company comparison tables above.
Methodology
Insurance.com commissioned car insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services for drivers with and without accidents.
Unless otherwise indicated, averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:
- Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
- Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
- Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
- 40-year-old driver
- Honda Accord LX
- Good credit
- A clean driving record and a single at-fault accident
- 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage
The survey score is based on our annual best car insurance companies ranking, which is calculated based on a survey of insurance customers, NAIC complaint ratios, AM Best scores and average rates. See the full methodology on the best car insurance companies page.
Learn more about our data and methodology.
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