Updated: April 6, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
State Farm offers the most affordable full coverage after an accident at $120 per month, with a strong MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100, earning our award for the Best Value for Budget-Conscious Drivers.
Car insurance rates increase 24% on average after an accident, adding $208 annually for three to five years, according to MoneyGeek's analysis of major insurers.
Accident forgiveness car insurance prevents rate increases for your first at-fault accident.
State Farm is the cheapest option at $1,444 per year for full coverage and the only company here that includes accident forgiveness at no extra cost. Auto-Owners offers the best value for drivers willing to spend more: a 94 out of 100 MoneyGeek score at $1,704 annually.
Progressive matches that score at $1,745. GEICO costs $1,968 per year with an 89 MoneyGeek score, the weakest value in this group for drivers with an accident on record.
Provider | Monthly Minimum Coverage | Monthly Full Coverage | MoneyGeek Score | Accident Forgiveness Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$55 | $120 | 90 | Yes - included with full coverage | |
Auto Owners | $75 | $142 | 92 | Yes - available as add-on |
$77 | $145 | 94 | Yes - available as add-on | |
$77 | $148 | 94 | Included after 5 years | |
GEICO | $82 | $164 | 89 | Yes - available as add-on |
Accident forgiveness keeps your rate from increasing after your first at-fault accident. The accident stays on your driving record, though, and other insurers can still use it against you when quoting. State Farm and Travelers include it automatically on qualifying policies. Auto-Owners, Progressive and GEICO offer it as a paid add-on. Most require three to five years without an at-fault claim before you're eligible.
State Farm is the cheapest option for drivers with an accident on record across every age group, and the savings grow with age. Young drivers aged 22 to 29 pay $1,347 annually, middle-aged drivers 30 to 59 pay $1,091 and seniors 60 and older pay $1,004.
Nationwide is the second most affordable in every group at $1,696, $1,409 and $1,310, but scores four to five points lower than State Farm.
Progressive and Farmers are the most expensive across all three groups, both reaching $2,098 annually for young drivers, with scores that don't justify the cost over State Farm or Nationwide.
| State Farm | $91 | $1,091 | 88.96 |
| Travelers | $126 | $1,506 | 88.12 |
| GEICO | $129 | $1,546 | 87.01 |
| Nationwide | $117 | $1,409 | 86.29 |
| Progressive | $151 | $1,810 | 85.67 |
| Allstate | $132 | $1,584 | 85.49 |
| Farmers | $153 | $1,838 | 85.2 |
Travelers has the lowest full coverage rates for drivers with an accident on record in 15 states, more than any other insurer MoneyGeek analyzed, though its rates range from $85 annually in Maine to $257 in Florida depending on the state. Progressive leads in eight states and offers the cheapest full coverage at $94 per year in North Carolina.
Auto-Owners is the strongest option across Midwest states, with the lowest rates in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska and Ohio. State Farm leads in just four states but has some of the lowest individual rates in the table, including $89 annually in Wyoming. California and Nevada have the highest full coverage rates regardless of insurer. The cheapest options in each state are $245 and $252 per year.
| Arizona | Travelers | $84 | $153 |
| Arkansas | Travelers | $69 | $135 |
| California | Progressive | $126 | $245 |
| Connecticut | Geico | $69 | $153 |
| Delaware | Travelers | $85 | $141 |
| Florida | Travelers | $120 | $257 |
| Illinois | Auto Owners | $65 | $118 |
| Indiana | Progressive | $70 | $117 |
| Iowa | Travelers | $48 | $102 |
| Kansas | Travelers | $56 | $124 |
| Kentucky | Travelers | $80 | $149 |
| Maine | Travelers | $48 | $85 |
| Maryland | Travelers | $122 | $215 |
| Michigan | Auto Owners | $101 | $195 |
| Minnesota | Auto Owners | $72 | $135 |
| Missouri | Travelers | $68 | $134 |
| Montana | State Farm | $30 | $98 |
| Nebraska | Auto Owners | $60 | $125 |
| Nevada | Travelers | $145 | $252 |
| New Hampshire | Progressive | $70 | $109 |
| New York | Progressive | $74 | $116 |
| North Carolina | Progressive | $57 | $94 |
| Ohio | Auto Owners | $54 | $119 |
| Oklahoma | Progressive | $84 | $199 |
| Oregon | Progressive | $99 | $176 |
| Rhode Island | Travelers | $68 | $120 |
| South Carolina | Auto Owners | $100 | $164 |
| South Dakota | Progressive | $34 | $108 |
| Tennessee | Travelers | $63 | $134 |
| Texas | State Farm | $69 | $137 |
| Utah | Geico | $96 | $184 |
| Virginia | Travelers | $63 | $115 |
| Washington | State Farm | $83 | $169 |
| Wisconsin | Travelers | $55 | $104 |
| Wyoming | State Farm | $27 | $89 |
We analyzed rates, coverage options and customer service from major insurers to identify which companies serve drivers with accidents best. Progressive offers the most comprehensive coverage, State Farm has the lowest rates and Travelers strikes the best balance of price and features.
Progressive combines extensive coverage and rate-reduction programs for drivers recovering from accidents. You'll pay more upfront ($145 monthly) but get coverage features and discount programs unavailable from cheaper competitors.
Progressive's Snapshot program helps you earn discounts based on current driving behavior rather than past accident history. Progressive also offers the cheapest rates in eight states, including North Carolina, New York and New Hampshire.
Accident forgiveness is available as an add-on for eligible drivers who've been accident-free for five years. The feature costs $30 to $60 annually but can save hundreds in rate increases after your first at-fault accident.
State Farm offers the lowest rates among major national insurers at $120 monthly for full coverage with reliable performance. Its coverage options and customer service scores trail competitors, but its prices won't strain your budget.
State Farm has local agents for face-to-face service if you prefer in-person support. For extensive coverage options or premium customer service, other insurers in our rankings may be a better fit.
Accident forgiveness comes automatically with full coverage policies after three years with a clean driving record, one of the most generous programs available at no extra cost.
Travelers allows drivers to earn discounts through their IntelliDrive program based on their driving habits. Bundling and responsible driver discounts help offset accident-related rate increases.
Travelers provides reliable claims service with strong customer satisfaction scores. Drivers in Travelers' 15 leading states pay less than competitors, even with an accident on record.
Accident forgiveness is included automatically after five years of continuous coverage and a clean driving record, protecting long-term customers without additional fees.
GEICO's digital tools and efficient claims processing make insurance more manageable for drivers with accidents on record. The mobile app lets you report accidents instantly, track claim progress and manage your policy, which helps when dealing with post-accident stress. GEICO's premiums run higher, but military families can access sizable discounts that help offset the cost.
Auto-Owners has a stronger grasp of Midwest regional driving conditions, weather patterns and customer expectations than national carriers. It operates in select states but has built deep community roots through a local agent network.
Auto-Owners' claims service consistently ranks above industry averages, and its accident forgiveness program offers more generous terms than national competitors.
An accident increases your car insurance premiums 24% on average, adding $208 annually. Offset this increase by switching providers, comparing quotes regularly, bundling policies, maximizing discounts and adjusting coverage options like deductibles or accident forgiveness.
Your insurer may raise your rates at renewal, but competitors price accidents differently. Switch car insurance after an accident anytime; you don't need to wait for renewal. Work with your previous insurer if you filed a claim to make the transition smooth.
Get quotes from at least three providers every six months. Insurance companies use different pricing models, so rates vary widely. Accidents affect your rates less over time, and insurers regularly adjust pricing, so shopping around gets you better deals.
Home and auto bundles result in lower rates. Insuring multiple vehicles with the same company also qualifies you for discounts. Ask about bundling options for potential savings.
Accidents don't disqualify you from other discounts. Save on premiums by paying your policy in full, installing safety or security devices or participating in telematics programs like Progressive's Snapshot.
Your vehicle type affects insurance costs. Cars with better safety features or lower repair costs cost less to insure. Vehicles like the Toyota Camry, known for safety and affordability, help lower premiums.
Compare quotes every six months as rates change frequently. Insurers adjust their pricing models regularly, and you may find better deals by shopping around.
Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 lowers your premium by 10% to 15%. Deductibles don't apply to liability coverage, which pays for damage you cause to others, only to comprehensive and collision coverage for your vehicle.
Ask about accident forgiveness before another accident occurs. Adding this coverage now protects you from rate increases if you have a future accident.
Avoid gaps in coverage to prevent additional penalties. Coverage gaps result in higher rates when you restart your policy because insurers view lapses as increased risk.
State-approved defensive driving programs qualify you for 5% to 10% discounts with many insurers. Check with your provider about eligible courses in your state.
Full coverage jumps 24% on average after an at-fault crash, adding about $208 yearly. Insurers see drivers with crashes as higher risks.
Annual Premium Increases
$883Annual Premium
$1,091This is 24% more expensive.
You can get affordable car insurance after an accident. Compare quotes, use available discounts and understand your coverage options to find a policy that fits your needs. Explore different providers to keep premiums low while staying adequately covered.
Find answers to common questions about choosing car insurance after an accident.
Car insurance after an accident costs 24% more than standard rates. The cheapest car insurance companies after accidents like State Farm offer rates starting at $120 monthly for full coverage.
To get affordable car insurance after an accident, shop multiple providers. Bundle auto and home policies to save 10% to 25%, keep continuous coverage, and take advantage of telematics programs that monitor current driving behavior rather than past incidents. Switch to safer vehicles with lower repair costs.
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance after accidents with full coverage rates starting at $120 monthly.
An accident stays on your driving record for three to five years, directly raising your car insurance premiums during that time.
Yes. Having an accident on your record doesn't disqualify you from car insurance discounts.
You can switch car insurance after filing a claim. If your current insurer raises rates at renewal, it's often worth shopping for a better deal.
Non-standard insurance is for drivers who may not qualify for a typical policy, often due to a higher risk profile from infractions like DUI or at-fault accidents. Because of the increased risk, drivers with non-standard policies pay higher premiums.
Insurers price accidents differently, so getting multiple quotes can save you hundreds annually. This analysis shows which insurers offer the best combination of affordable rates and reliable service for drivers with at-fault accidents on their records.
We gathered rate data from hundreds of insurance companies and evaluated which ones treat drivers with accidents most fairly. Our analysis reveals both what you'll pay and which companies actually deliver quality service when you file claims.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
