Will The Hartford raise rates with the first accident?

I’ve been with The Hartford for years through the AARP program. If I get into my first accident, will my rates go up right away?

That’s a great question, and one we hear a lot. The Hartford does offer accident forgiveness in many states, which means your very first at-fault accident won’t automatically increase your premium. According to The Hartford's website via AARP, accident forgiveness, “excuses your first accident if you need to file a car insurance claim, as long as all drivers on your policy have a clean driving record and are accident-free for five straight years with The Hartford.”

It’s important to know that accident forgiveness isn’t automatically included in every policy. Some customers have it built in, while others need to request it as an add-on, depending on where they live. If you don’t have it today, you can usually ask about adding it for future protection.

Why does this matter?

Insurance companies look at your driving history when setting your rates. If you’re involved in an at-fault accident and don’t have accident forgiveness, your premium can go up — how much depends on the severity of the crash and your prior record. Since most accidents and tickets stay on your driving record for three to five years, practicing safe driving and avoiding violations really pays off.

And if you’re comparing options, some insurers structure their accident forgiveness programs differently. If you’d like, one of our in-house agents can walk you through which programs might be the best fit for your situation. An accident can also be a catalyst for shopping around to see if you might be able to get a better rate with another company, which we can help you out with as well.