Will Your Auto Insurer Forgive Your First Accident?
A single at-fault accident can have a devastating effect on your car insurance rates. In some cases, your annual premiums may increase by over 100 percent. If your driving record contains past at-fault collisions, your rates may climb even higher as you’re placed into a high-risk category of drivers.
But what if your first accident could be forgiven? What if, after reporting the incident to your insurance company, they agreed to keep your rates at the same level, or only raise them slightly? A lot of consumers are unaware that many auto insurers will do exactly that. It’s a feature called “accident forgiveness.” Below, we’ll explain how it works, and the different ways it is offered to policyholders. You’ll also learn what to expect if you somehow cause a second collision.
How “Forgiveness” Is Granted Following An Accident
Auto insurers use a star rating system to determine the risk of extending coverage to any given driver. Someone with six stars (the maximum number) is deemed to be safe. Someone with a three-star rating is considered to be less so. The worse your driving record, the lower your rating.
Without the benefit of accident forgiveness, a single at-fault collision may cause your star rating to plummet. For example, if you once enjoyed a perfect six-star rating, and cause a major accident, your rating may decline to two or three stars. Because many insurers base part of their rate calculation on this number, you can expect your premiums to rise dramatically.
If your car insurance policy includes accident forgiveness, an at-fault collision won’t have nearly the same effect on your star rating or premiums. Returning to the above example, your insurer might lower your rating to five or four stars. As a result, any rate increase will be much smaller.
It’s worth mentioning that insurance companies are unlikely to extend this feature to any but the safest drivers. If you already have an at-fault collision on your driving record, your insurer is unlikely to “forgive” another.
“Free” Feature Versus A For-Fee Endorsement
Each insurance company handles accident forgiveness differently. Some will automatically add the feature to your policy (assuming your driving record is clean); others will allow you to purchase the feature as an optional rider, or endorsement; and still others will refrain from offering the provision, even if your driving record is flawless.
When this feature is added to your policy automatically, it is usually extended in one of two ways. Your insurer will either forgive an accident entirely or partly. In the former case, your star rating will remain the same, and your premiums will not increase. With the latter, your rating may decline by one or two stars, which will result in a rate increase. However, any rise will be far less than would be the case without this endorsement. In both cases, you may lose your “good driver” discount.
When accident forgiveness is purchased as an optional provision, your insurer will forgive an at-fault collision entirely. Moreover, you can pay extra in order to preserve your good driver discount, or any discount that might otherwise be in jeopardy.
What To Expect Following A Second (Or Third!) Accident
Once your insurance company forgives one at-fault collision, it’s tempting to think they will forgive a second one. But your insurer is likely to treat a second accident as they would a first-time event without the benefit of accident forgiveness. That is, your star rating will probably plummet, and your rates will likely increase substantially.
The reason is because your first accident will still be listed on your driving record. It does not vanish when your insurance company forgives you. When a second accident occurs, it too is added to your record, which drives your premiums skyward. There are policies that will forgive multiple collisions, but the rates attached to them tend to be very high.
The Case For Comparison Shopping Auto Insurers
As with most facets of car insurance coverage, the amount you can expect to pay for accident forgiveness will vary by insurer. For this reason, take the time to compare quotes from multiple companies. You may find that this feature can be added to your other coverages without a significant increase in your premiums.
Online Comparison of Auto Insurance Quotes
Almost everyone can get their needed coverage in auto insurance policy at better rates and lower premiums by shopping around. Especially when you do a bit of research online, you can get what you want easily, quickly, safely and comfortably. There are many online auto insurance sites which helps you to compare quotes from many reputable companies for your requirements. The sites take up the responsibility of researching and providing you the best ones. They come up with only those packages offered by the reputable companies providing good customer service and also at the best available rates.
Auto insurance is mandatory in all states in the US. It costs you high if you break the rules like hefty fines, loss of driving license, etc and in case of an accident it may cost you your savings, home, retirement, etc and also can get sued by the other driver. Obtaining auto insurance will make you feel free-at-ease and gives you peace of mind. This feeling is priceless, but you need to pay a reasonable cost to get the needed coverage and hence the feeling.
The quotes differ from company to company for the same coverage. Some may charge high but not provide you the best coverage. You need to compare the quotes of numerous carriers side by side to get the best deal. Recent studies indicate a difference of nearly $500 between the auto insurance carriers. Owing to a number of companies offering different coverage at different rates, you must be careful in selecting the company and the coverage at your affordable rates. This can be done by researching online. You do a lot of research before buying things like refrigerators, cars, television, etc. It is good to do the same in case of auto insurance.
The carriers are similarly different in their servicing and offerings and also the discounts offered by the companies depending upon your lifestyle. It is not required to get anxious over this. There are people who feel this task so daunting filled with dangers and pitfalls. This is where the online services are helpful. The sites are easily accessible at any time. You can shop leisurely without any hassle and sweat.
You must have heard of the expression “comparing apples to oranges?” This is one of the commonest mistakes done while comparing. Though you get quotes from different companies, they are all not for the same coverage. This hence is a difficult situation. You need to be aware of the coverage offered and compare “apples to apples” and “oranges to oranges” meaning that the comparison must be between the same type of coverage to pick the best company out of a lot. But the online form filled in the site assures that all carriers offer the quotes for the same coverage.
So it makes clear that you will lose nothing and in fact save money. It is not required to pay higher for auto insurance when it is available at lower rates. Hence the choice becomes yours. Just do a side by side comparison of the quotes online. You can compare rates, coverage offered and required by you, company services, etc. By doing so, you will obtain an affordable policy with the required coverage easily. There is no compulsion at any stage. You can decide on your own. You just need to provide the basic information alone to get the quotes. It is hence a win-win situation. Irrespective of all your drawbacks, you can find policies with better rates online.
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