Don’t Miss These Facts
- You could pay more than $100 extra per month for car insurance if you’re at fault in a car accident
- Insurance companies could cancel your policy if you have too many accidents
- Long-term insurance customers may be eligible for accident forgiveness
Did you know Los Angeles car insurance goes up if you’re at fault in an accident? Auto insurance companies can raise your rates if you’re a high-risk driver prone to car accidents.
But how much does your insurance go up after an accident? What about an accident where you’re not at fault? Don’t worry – we’re here to answer your questions and more.
How much does insurance increase after an accident in Los Angeles?
If you’re at fault in a car accident in Los Angeles, you could pay $140 more per month on average. However, your increase depends on the company that has your insurance policy.
Let’s examine how different insurance companies raise LA auto insurance.
Companies | Monthly Average by Clean Driving Record | Monthly Average with One At-Fault Accident | Increase in Dollars |
---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $346 | $585 | $240 |
Farmers | $455 | $619 | $164 |
Geico | $234 | $364 | $130 |
Liberty Mutual | $302 | $404 | $102 |
Nationwide | $414 | $532 | $118 |
Progressive | $223 | $382 | $159 |
State Farm | $348 | $415 | $67 |
Travelers | $270 | $455 | $185 |
USAA | $194 | $290 | $96 |
*Los Angeles Average* | $310 | $450 | $140 |
USAA provides the cheapest car insurance rates, but State Farm has the lowest increase for drivers that get into accidents. Meanwhile, Farmer car insurance has the most expensive rates for drivers with a car accident on their driving record, and Allstate has the highest increase for drivers who have an accident on their record.
Do insurance rates go up after a no-fault accident in Los Angeles?
No, they don’t. Although your situation may vary, it’s not likely for an insurance company to raise your rates for an accident that isn’t your fault. Be sure to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to pay for injuries and damage to your car.
Will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance rates in Los Angeles?
No, it won’t. Hit-and-run claims won’t increase your car insurance rates. Some insurance companies require that you make a hit-and-run claim within 24 hours.
How much does insurance go up after an accident for a teenager in Los Angeles?
Teen drivers could face the same $140 monthly increase after they get into an accident. Teenagers are already considered high-risk drivers by most car insurance companies, so the rise in insurance may be higher than average.
How much does insurance go up after a minor accident?
Your insurance could go up by at least 12% after a minor accident. However, some car insurance companies issue a 48% increase regardless of the severity of an accident.
You may not see your auto insurance rates go up right away, but brace yourself for higher rates. But you can get more affordable rates if you’re under a parent or legal guardian’s policy.
The downside to having a teen driver with an accident on your insurance policy is more expensive car insurance rates. We recommend signing up for a usage-based insurance program to save money and encourage safe driving.
Why do insurance companies charge higher rates after an accident?
An accident follows a car insurance claim, which means the insurance company has to pay out money to you. Although the insurance company’s contract is to cover you, it looks at the accident as a potential to file another claim.
Some car insurance companies have accident forgiveness. Accident forgiveness is a type of car insurance coverage that prevents an insurance company from increasing your rates after an accident.
Most insurance companies provide accident forgiveness for free if you maintain your policy for a year or so, and some companies allow customers to pay for it. If you’ve had an accident before, consider adding it to your policy.
How long does an accident stay on your driving record?
A car accident stays on your driving record for three years in California. Any insurance claims you’ve made due to an accident or other claims will be on your CLUE report between five and seven years.
How much does insurance go up after an accident in California?
California car insurance increases by an average $95 per month after you get into an at-fault accident. On average, auto insurance in California is about $100 cheaper than Los Angeles insurance.
Let’s look at the average insurance cost for the best insurance companies in California.
Companies | Monthly Average by Clean Driving Record | Monthly Average with One At-Fault Accident | Increase in Dollars |
---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $227 | $383 | $156 |
Farmers | $308 | $419 | $111 |
Geico | $168 | $260 | $91 |
Liberty Mutual | $220 | $294 | $75 |
Nationwide | $271 | $347 | $76 |
Progressive | $155 | $264 | $109 |
State Farm | $250 | $298 | $48 |
Travelers | $186 | $304 | $118 |
USAA | $149 | $222 | $73 |
*California Average* | $215 | $310 | $95 |
State Farm car insurance still provides the lowest increase for drivers who have an accident on their driving record. Farmers auto insurance is also the most expensive for accident-related insurance rates.
USAA may be the most affordable company in California, but it’s only available to United States military members, veterans, and their immediate families (such as a spouse and children).
Do insurance rates go up after a no-fault accident in California?
No, they don’t. Car insurance rates generally don’t increase when you file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, your rates could go up if you make multiple claims with your insurance company within six months to a year.
How much will my insurance go up after an accident in San Francisco?
San Francisco drivers could pay $28 less per month on average if they have an accident on their driving record. Car insurance rates in San Francisco are more affordable, but how much more?
Here’s a table that shows the average San Francisco car insurance rates from the top insurance companies in the city.
Companies | Monthly Average by Clean Driving Record | Monthly Average with One At-Fault Accident | Increase in Dollars |
---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $281 | $475 | $194 |
Farmers | $377 | $514 | $137 |
Geico | $178 | $274 | $96 |
Liberty Mutual | $267 | $357 | $91 |
Nationwide | $336 | $430 | $95 |
Progressive | $168 | $286 | $118 |
State Farm | $266 | $317 | $51 |
Travelers | $220 | $361 | $142 |
USAA | $172 | $257 | $85 |
*San Francisco Average* | $252 | $364 | $112 |
Compared to Los Angeles, San Francisco insurance is much cheaper. But State Farm is still considered one of the most lenient car insurance companies in California regarding accidents.
You’ll also notice that Progressive auto insurance is the most affordable company in San Francisco. USAA and Geico are the cheapest insurance companies for drivers with an accident on their driving record.
How much does car insurance go up after an accident in Sacramento?
On the other hand, Sacramento drivers pay $105 more per month for car insurance if they have a car accident on their driving record. But, Sacramento auto insurance is still cheaper than Los Angeles auto insurance.
Let’s have one last look at the cost of car insurance from the best companies in California, but let’s look at how much they charge Sacramento drivers.
Companies | Monthly Average by Clean Driving Record | Monthly Average with One At-Fault Accident | Increase in Dollars |
---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $256 | $431 | $174 |
Farmers | $369 | $502 | $133 |
Geico | $175 | $269 | $94 |
Liberty Mutual | $248 | $332 | $84 |
Nationwide | $302 | $388 | $86 |
Progressive | $157 | $268 | $111 |
State Farm | $284 | $339 | $55 |
Travelers | $202 | $332 | $130 |
USAA | $158 | $235 | $77 |
*Sacramento Average* | $239 | $344 | $105 |
USAA is still the most affordable company for drivers with an accident on their record, and State Farm raises car insurance by only $55 per month in Sacramento. Overall, Sacramento drivers save $35 per month if they have a car accident on their driving record.
Can you get cheaper car insurance rates with an accident on your driving record?
Yes, you can. Even if you have a car accident on your driving record, you can offset expensive insurance rates with good credit, bundling with other insurance products, and using your vehicle’s features.
Good credit can decrease your rates by at least 15%, and bundling another insurance product can save you 12%. Meanwhile, anti-theft and safety features can get you up to 5% off insurance.
Stack your available car insurance deals, and you can lower the cost of your insurance bill by a few hundred dollars per year.
How Much Does Insurance Increase After an Accident: The Bottom Line
Your insurance could increase by $140 per month in Los Angeles. But your rate increase depends on the company. If you have accident forgiveness, you can skip the rise in car insurance rates.
However, you’ll still have an accident on your driving record. If you’re not at fault for an accident, your car insurance rates shouldn’t go up. But watch your insurance bill closely. Car insurance companies are known to drive up rates even if you have a clean driving record.