If you get into a car accident, Progressive keeps your accident on record for 3-5 years, which means you could see higher insurance rates for a while.

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How a car accident impacts your car insurance rates

If you get into a motor vehicle accident and

file an insurance claim

through your Progressive car insurance policy, that accident will immediately go on your record and remain there for a total of five years.

During the first three years, you’ll most likely pay more for your auto insurance policy. According to Progressive countrywide data, one at-fault accident results in an average rate increase of up to 28%.

After the first three years, your accident will no longer be surcharged for. However, the accident will remain on your record for an additional two years, disqualifying you from certain

car insurance discounts

, such as

safe driver

or accident-free discounts.

Keep in mind: In addition to disqualifying you from discounts, insurers can look back at your overall driving history in the past five years to determine your base rate. The more activity you have in five years, the higher the likelihood that your general insurance rates will go up indefinitely.

To find the best deal when it comes to your premium, the best thing you can do is compare quotes from different car insurance companies. Even if you’ve recently gone through the claims process, you can use a licensed insurance agency like the Jerry mobile app to help you narrow down

real car insurance rates

from the country’s

best insurers

and easily compare your options.

Comparing quotes with Jerry is as simple as entering your personal information and vehicle details, and receiving different personalized quotes based on your user profile

Turning on automatic reshopping in the Jerry app means you'll automatically get price check alerts when your policy is up for renewal or any time a new insurer starts offering policies in your region with the potential for cheaper rates.

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Can you remove an auto accident from your driving record?

It is not possible to remove an accident from your driving record.

If you were to get a ticket for an accident, the DMV may allow you to take a defensive driver course to remove

points

from your license; however, an accident cannot be removed from your insurance record.

Additionally, if you received a ticket associated with your accident, you can fight it in court. If you plead “not guilty” and are never convicted of your ticket, it will not go on your driving record. Both the DMV and your insurance company do not have access to negatively impact you for a ticket until you've been convicted and found guilty of the offense.

Otherwise, the only way to remove points from your driving record is to wait it out. The most severe violations—such as

DUIs

—could remain on your record for as long as ten years, but an accident should become a thing of the past in no more than five years.

Does Progressive have accident forgiveness?

Generally, Progressive offers

accident forgiveness

to their customers in most U.S. states.

With accident forgiveness, your rates won't be surcharged after your first at-fault accident claim. Some insurers include accident forgiveness at no charge, while others offer it as a purchased endorsement—meaning you pay a higher premium in exchange for the benefit.

When building your Progressive policy, you may be able to opt for one of three types of accident forgiveness:

New Progressive customers—in most states—receive this benefit automatically. With small accident forgiveness, your insurance premium will remain the same if your accident-related claim is less than $500.

This type of accident forgiveness automatically applies to customers in most states as part of Progressive’s Loyalty Rewards Program. However, it’s only available to customers who have stayed with Progressive for at least five years, and stipulates that you must remain accident- and violation-free for five consecutive years. In this case, your premiums will stay the same despite an at-fault accident—even if you have to claim damages in excess of $500.

Available for purchase, this custom accident forgiveness will be presented as an option when you buy or renew your Progressive auto insurance policy. If you purchase this accident forgiveness, one eligible accident can be forgiven per policy period—regardless of the size of the claim.

The bottom line: In order to qualify for the best rates on car insurance coverage, take the time to carefully discuss your options with a Progressive insurance adjuster. They’ll be able to advise you if purchasing Progressive Accident Forgiveness is the right choice for you.

How to improve your driving record

While accidents can happen to anyone, if you’re looking for the best car insurance rates possible, you’ll want to maintain a

clean driving record

. If you’ve been in an accident, received a speeding ticket, or even been charged with a DUI, there are ways you can

improve your driving record

in order to qualify for cheap car insurance in the future.

Here are some quick tips:

Always be aware of your driving record: If you notice any issues on your record (such as an accident you weren’t involved in or a violation that should have disappeared) you can file a discrepancy with the DMV to have the mistake corrected. However, this may take some time to process.

Consider whether making a claim is necessary: If you’re involved in an accident where only minor property damages occur, it may be best to pay for them out of pocket. This is especially relevant if you have a plan with a higher deductible, which you’ll be responsible for anyway, before your provider pays out any benefits.

Fix the problem before it goes on your record: If you receive a ticket while driving, there are a couple of ways you can keep it from being added to your record in the first place. If it’s a minor “fix-it ticket” (issued for basic mechanical violations such as broken tail lights), you can usually have the ticket thrown away so long as you quickly address the related issue.

Take it to court: If you’re issued a ticket for a more serious violation, you can plead “not guilty” and see a district attorney or judge in court. They may be willing to reduce your sentencing to something that doesn’t show up on your record.

Expunge your record: Not all states allow you to do this, but in states like

California

, a traffic violation or accident will be automatically expunged from your record after three years—if and only if you have no other violations in that 3-year time period and have never been found driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Check with your DMV to see what the exact process is for expungement.

Take a defensive driving course: If the points are already on your license, you may be able to enroll in a state-approved defensive driving course to remove them. For example, the

New York State

DMV offers online and in-person courses which, upon completion, will remove up to four points from your license.

FAQs

How do insurance providers pay out claims?

Auto insurance companies initiate the claims process by investigating the circumstances, verifying the policy coverage, and assessing the extent of damages. Once these steps are out of the way and the claim is deemed valid, the insurer issues a payment to the policyholder or directly to the service provider, ensuring the necessary funds are allocated for repairs or compensation.

How does one remove an accident from your insurance?

Removing an accident from your car insurance record typically involves waiting for a specific period, as accidents generally stay on your record for a set number of years. Additionally, you can explore options such as accident forgiveness programs offered by some insurance companies, which may allow you to maintain a clean record even after a first at-fault accident.

Why is accident forgiveness important?

Some of the accident forgiveness benefits include protecting your driving record and keeping your car insurance rates unchanged even in the aftermath of an at-fault accident.

How long do accidents stay on your insurance?

The amount of time accidents stay on your insurance record depends on your provider, but you can expect anywhere between three to five years.

Will my rates increase after a not-at-fault accident?

Yes, typically your car insurance rates will increase even if you’re not at fault for the accident.

How much does accident forgiveness cost?

The cost of accident forgiveness will depend on your car insurance company, but you can expect to pay up to $100 extra per year.

What is a deductible?

A car insurance deductible is the amount you personally pay upfront in a claim before your insurance covers the remaining costs, commonly associated with coverages like collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, and personal injury protection.

What is the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage?

Collision coverage pays for your vehicle’s damage if you hit another vehicle or object. Meanwhile, comprehensive coverage pays for damage that isn’t caused by a collision, such as weather events, vandalism, fires, animal damages, and theft.

What is Progressive accident forgiveness?

Progressive offers three different levels of accident forgiveness to policyholders: Small Accident Forgiveness, Large Accident Forgiveness, and Progressive Accident Forgiveness. Depending on your level, accident forgiveness protects you by not raising your insurance premium after your first accident.

Does Progressive raise rates after 6 months?

It’s possible that Progressive will raise your rates after six months. The best way to ensure you don’t end up overpaying for your premium is periodically comparison shopping for new car insurance quotes.

Will Progressive raise your insurance premium after a car accident claim?

Most likely, yes. According to Progressive countrywide data, one at-fault accident results in an average rate increase of up to 28%.

However, in certain situations, you may qualify for accident forgiveness. For example, if your claim is less than $500, or you’ve been with Progressive for over 5 years and have never had a previous accident.

How much do Progressive rates increase after an accident?

The average Progressive customer will experience an increase of up to 28% after an at-fault accident. However, the exact amount of your increase will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of the accident and size of your insurance claim.

If you have to make claims against multiple types of coverage—such as property liability coverage, bodily injury liability coverage, and collision coverage—because of an extremely severe accident expect a steeper increase.