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Auto insurance is often expensive for drivers with accident histories. But these nine insurers offer pretty reasonable rates.
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The average American driver with a single accident on their record paid $3,370 for auto insurance in 2023. That’s $981 more than drivers with clean records. And in some states, that figure is a lot higher.
But a lot also depends on which insurance provider a driver works with. We dug into our data and found the nine companies that offered the lowest rates to drivers with accident histories in 2023.
Nine companies with the best rates for drivers with accident histories in 2023
The following nine car insurance companies had the most affordable rates for drivers with one accident on their records in 2023. This isn’t a guarantee that they’ll be the cheapest in 2024 or for any particular driver. But they’re worth investigating for drivers with accident histories who want to keep their premiums manageable next year.
COUNTRY Financial ($2,183)USAA ($2,329)*GEICO ($2,378)Travelers ($2,450)Erie Insurance ($2,647)State Farm ($2,874)Nationwide ($3,122)Progressive ($3,140)Farmers ($3,145)
* USAA insurance is only available to active-duty military members, veterans, and their family members.
It’s important to recognize that the above figures are averages for the entire country. Factors like where a driver lives and the type of vehicle they own will also have a huge effect on premium rates.
How drivers with accident histories can keep costs down in 2024
Affordable rates aren’t always easy to find for drivers with accident histories, but shopping around can help them score the lowest possible prices. Every insurer weighs the aspects of a driver’s application a little differently, and some penalize drivers for accidents more than others. The only way to know which will offer a particular person the best rate is to compare quotes from a handful of providers.
Drivers with special considerations, like those who have served in the military and those who own electric vehicles, may want to seek out companies that offer discounts for these factors. However, it’s important to recognize that more discounts don’t always translate to a lower rate.
A surer way to reduce monthly premiums is to aim for a higher deductible. This will increase out-of-pocket costs in the event of another accident, but this might not be a concern for those who can save for their deductible in an emergency fund.
Another option is to reduce coverage, but be careful with this. It could leave drivers without enough insurance in severe accidents, and this could lead to even larger out-of-pocket costs than an insurance premium or deductible.
Even the lowest auto insurance premium a driver with an accident history finds might not be very affordable. But try not to get too discouraged. Accidents don’t stay on a driving record forever. Most fall off within three to five years. When they do, these drivers will be able to find cheaper insurance again.
Our best car insurance companies for 2022
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