Can I switch car insurance after an accident?

Yes, you can switch car insurance after an accident, or any time you choose. You don’t have to wait until your policy is up for renewal to switch car insurance companies, and you can even change insurers if you have an open claim.

What Happens If You Switch Insurers After an Accident?

There's no penalty for switching car insurance companies after an accident, in particular, but you may face cancellation fees from your current insurance company for stopping your policy early. You’re also less likely to save money switching car insurance companies right after you have an accident, as your rate will include your latest mishap on the road. In other words, you can’t switch insurance companies to avoid being held accountable for the accident.

Also, keep in mind that if you cause an accident, the insurance provider you had at the time of the accident will still be responsible for handling the claim, even if you cancel their coverage and switch companies. You can’t switch insurance providers after an accident to have a new company manage the claim.

What to Do Before Switching Car Insurance Companies

Switching car insurance providers on the same day you have an accident might be viewed as suspicious by some insurance companies, so it’s best to wait at least until the claims process begins before switching. You might even want to wait until the process is complete, so you don’t have to deal with two car insurance companies simultaneously.

In addition, if you decide to switch car insurance providers, be sure to have your new policy in place before canceling your old policy. It’s better to have an overlap of policies for at least a day than it is to have a gap of even one day between auto insurance policies. A gap in your insurance history will be viewed poorly by insurance companies, and it’s against the law to drive without adequate insurance coverage.