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One way you can lower your car insurance after an accident is by reducing the amount of coverage that you pay for. Another way to lower your premium is by comparing quotes from multiple insurers and finding a cheaper one. You can also take a defensive driving course and search for additional discounts from your current insurance provider. On average, an at-fault accident raises premiums by about 50%, and the increased cost lasts 3-5 years.
How to Lower Car Insurance After an Accident
1. Shop around for quotes from other insurers
Every insurer uses their own methods to calculate insurance premiums, so the rate that you have with your current provider might not be the best deal. In general, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from at least three different insurance companies every 6-12 months.
2. Consider reducing your coverage
You should never drive without insurance, and you should always buy as much coverage as you can afford. But if an accident raises your rates to a point where you simply cannot afford insurance beyond what’s required, you can consider removing certain types of coverage from your policy or lowering your limits. Just make sure that you’re still carrying at least the minimum amount of car insurance coverage required by state law.
3. Go to traffic school
Most major insurers offer a discount if you take an approved defensive driving course. Additionally, if the accident occurred while you were committing a moving violation, you may be able to remove the ticket or points from your record by taking the course.
4. Check for discounts with your insurer
Most major insurers offer a variety of discounts that drivers can get even if they’ve recently been in an accident. Bundling policies, setting up auto-pay, and going paperless are all easy ways to earn a discount on car insurance. If you want to know what other discounts you may qualify for, you should contact your insurer directly.
5. Practice safe driving habits
The best way to lower your rate long-term is to avoid getting into any more accidents. Even if you have one at-fault accident on your record, your rate will eventually go back down if you don’t get any other infractions for 3-5 years. And if you drive safely for a long period of time, you may qualify for an additional good driver discount from your insurer.
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