Geico insurance will go up by about 79% after your first accident resulting in a claim of $750 or more. If this is your second accident in less than three years, your insurance will go up at least twice as much, depending on the total cost of the claim. If you have more than two accidents in a three-year period, you can expect to pay 225% more. These surcharges will be in effect for three years after the claim.
Your rate won’t increase if the accident is not your fault and the other driver’s insurance pays for your claim, or if the damage is less than $750. Keep in mind that Geico also assigns points for other traffic offenses. A DUI conviction is three points, for example, and a speeding ticket of 20 MPH over the posted limit is one point. Your first accident resulting in a claim of $750 or more also gets one point. Your total number of points determines your final surcharge.
Will my Geico insurance go up after an accident if I...
Wasn’t at-fault?
No, if your claim is reimbursed by the other driver or their insurance company, the cost of your insurance will not go up. If you aren’t cited by law enforcement and the other driver is, your premium won’t be affected, either.
Use my Personal Injury Protection?
If you need PIP to cover your or your passengers’ medical bills but don’t need to use your liability or collision coverage, your rates won’t be affected.
Was involved in a hit and run?
A hit and run will not affect your rates as long as you file a police report with 24 hours.
Hit a deer?
Most comprehensive claims are considered beyond your control and do not count against you. But if you’ve filed another claim of any kind in the last three years, hitting a deer could raise your rates.
Was hit by flying or falling objects?
If gravel on the highway shatters your windshield or a tree branch lands on your car, it won’t increase your premium unless you’ve had another claim in the last three years.
Geico has twoaccident forgiveness programs, which waive the surcharge following an at-fault accident. The first works like a loyalty program for safe, long-time customers. To be eligible, you must have been insured by the company and accident-free for at least five years.
The second way to get accident forgiveness is to pay for it as supplemental coverage. Geico’s website says you still have to meet certain driving-record requirements to be able to buy accident forgiveness, but the rules and terms vary by state. You must also be 21 or older to qualify.
Ultimately, Geico’s policies mean your premiums might not be affected by a single accident if you stick with Geico over time. Since car insurance industry estimates show the average driver files a claim for a car accident about once every 18 years, it’s possible loyal customers’ premiums could never be affected by an accident with Geico.
This answer was first published on 04/21/23 and it was last updated on 08/07/23. 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.
FAQs
An accident in California will double full coverage insurance rates.
Why is my Geico insurance all of a sudden so much higher? ›
If you leave out information in the quoting process about accidents you've been in (even minor ones), your policy rate may be higher. If you forget to provide details about your significant others' driving history, such as speeding tickets, this may lead to a higher rate.
Do insurance rates go up after no fault accident progressive? ›
You may ask, will my insurance go up if I file a claim for an accident that isn't my fault? In some cases, yes — even accidents you didn't cause can increase your rate in states that allow it, as insurers have data showing that some drivers have a propensity for not-at-fault accidents.
What is the best car insurance after an accident? ›
The best accident forgiveness insurance companies are Allstate and Geico, according to WalletHub's analysis. These companies offer the best accident forgiveness options at affordable prices and receive great customer service ratings.
Is Geico cheaper than Progressive? ›
Key Takeaways: Geico is best for you if you're simply looking for the cheapest option, as the provider has a cheaper average rate estimate in 82% of states across the U.S. Progressive is best for you if you're looking for more coverage options, add-ons and customizations.
How much does insurance increase after a claim? ›
That said, you'll usually be looking at an increase of 20%-50%. Unless it's protected, you should also expect to lose any no-claims discount you've built up. Even if it's protected you could still see your premiums rise – this is because a no-claims discount is a reduction from a baseline car insurance premium.
How many accidents before Progressive Drops you? ›
Insurers may not drop a customer after their first one or two incidents. The first step is often to increase your car insurance rate. From there, if a customer has another accident or files more claims, the insurer may send a notice that they won't be renewing the policy at the end of its term.
Should I call my insurance if it wasn't my fault progressive? ›
Technically, you're required to report a claim even if it's not your fault. We're here to protect your interests and help when you're involved in an auto accident, no matter who was at fault. Reporting a claim is particularly important when people are injured or there's damage to another person's car or property.
What is progressive accident forgiveness? ›
Large accident forgiveness
You automatically get this free benefit in most states if you've been a Progressive customer for at least five years and accident and violation-free for up to five consecutive years. Then your rate won't increase if you have a claim. Large Accident Forgiveness can vary by state.
Does Geico offer large accident forgiveness? ›
GEICO also offers perks such as “ accident forgiveness,”1 which means that your premiums will not increase upon a claim if you have not had an accident in the past five years.
Cheapest Car Insurance After an Accident
| National Provider | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|
| State Farm | Annual Premium$1,091 | Monthly Premium$91 |
| Nationwide | Annual Premium$1,409 | Monthly Premium$117 |
| Travelers | Annual Premium$1,506 | Monthly Premium$126 |
| GEICO | Annual Premium$1,546 | Monthly Premium$129 |
3 more rowsMay 20, 2024
Auto Insurance Companies with the Most Complaints
| Company | NAIC Score |
|---|
| California Casualty | 13.16 |
| Metromile | 2.02 |
| National General | 5.57 |
| SafeAuto | 9.12 |
6 more rowsOct 26, 2021
Under California law, an insurer cannot increase your premiums when you aren't at fault.
Is Geico accident forgiveness worth it? ›
For drivers in California, accident forgiveness isn't an option. Proposition 103, which passed in the state in 1988, outlaws “excessive” insurance rates and accident forgiveness was deemed excessive as you're essentially paying for coverage on an accident that hasn't happened yet.
How to get Geico to lower your rate? ›
How to lower my car insurance rates
- Add multiple cars to your policy: Adding multiple cars to your insurance policy can often lead to lower rates through multi-vehicle discounts.
- Bundling auto and home policies: We offer bundling discounts for loyal customers who purchase multiple policies through GEICO.
An accident stays on your insurance record with Geico for five years. The accident will be factored into your Geico premium for the first three years. After five years, you can be considered for Geico's good driver discount again, as long as you haven't had any additional accidents or moving violations.
