Can you add accident forgiveness after an accident? This question is about Best Accident Forgiveness Companies

Can you add accident forgiveness after an accident?

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This question is about Best Accident Forgiveness Companies

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@WalletHub • 11/02/20 This answer was first published on 11/02/20. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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No, you cannot add accident forgiveness after an accident in order to get that same accident forgiven. Accident forgiveness is designed to be purchased or earned in advance, so it cannot be applied retroactively after an accident.

If you recently had an at-fault accident and want to buy accident forgiveness for future crashes, some insurers will allow you to purchase an accident-forgiveness add-on. For example, Allstate offers Gold and Platinum auto insurance packages, which are available at an additional cost and provide accident forgiveness with no eligibility requirements. On the other hand, accident forgiveness from insurers like Progressive and State Farm requires years of a clean driving record, meaning you cannot get it soon after an accident.

If you don’t have accident forgiveness already, you will likely be stuck paying increased premiums after an at-fault accident. However, having an at-fault accident is a good time to compare quotes, since every insurer will raise your premium by a different amount after an accident. And keep in mind that for small amounts of damage, it might be cheaper to pay for repairs yourself than to file a claim and increase your insurance costs in the long-run.

Accident forgiveness eligibility varies by state and insurer, so call your agent or insurance company if you’re wondering whether you qualify. And if you are paying higher rates due to an at-fault accident, check out WalletHub’s guides to Switching Car Insurance Companies and Car Insurance Discounts.

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Does Geico have accident forgiveness?

Yes, Geico offers accident forgiveness in 47 states and the District of Columbia, with the exceptions being California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Geico accident forgiveness protects you from increases to your car insurance premium after your first at-fault accident.

The accident forgiveness feature may only be used once. How much your premium would rise without accident forgiveness depends on your state, driving record, and claim payment amount. The increase could range from 2% to 50%,...

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Should I get accident forgiveness?

You should get accident forgiveness if it’s included at no extra cost or if the added peace of mind outweighs the price, especially for any high-risk drivers on your policy. Accident forgiveness car insurance is available from many insurers and usually prevents one at-fault accident from increasing your premium every three years.

Some car insurance companies include accident forgiveness as a free loyalty perk for long-time customers. Others charge extra for it. And if it’s only available...

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How long does it take for accident forgiveness to reset?

Accident forgiveness resets after 3-5 years with most insurance companies. Loyalty-based accident forgiveness, which does not cost extra, normally requires drivers to go five years without at-fault accidents to get an accident forgiven, while accident forgiveness policies that drivers can purchase usually take three years to reset. Timeframes vary by insurance company, though.

How Long Accident Forgiveness Takes to Reset, by Company

Progressive: 3 years
Farmers: 3 years
Travelers: 3...

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