Car Insurance with Multiple Claims
- Even though there's no set limit, you are much more likely to be dropped by your insurer if you have 3 claims in 3 years.
- State Farm offers the cheapest average rates after an accident.
Struggling to get car insurance after multiple claims? Let The Zebra help! Enter your ZIP code to get started.
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Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as a licensed insurance professional and content strategis…
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- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- 5 years of experience in the insurance industry
Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…
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- Associate in Insurance (AINS)
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- Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
Car insurance with multiple accidents
If you’ve been in multiple accidents or filed several claims in a short period, you might be feeling the sting: higher premiums, policy cancellations, or non-renewals. Some insurers may start labeling you as “high risk,” which can make finding affordable coverage even tougher.
Insurance companies don’t just look at your most recent claim. They review your accident history, often using a C.L.U.E. Report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) to see how many accidents and claims you’ve had over the past several years. This report follows you, not your insurer, and plays a major role in pricing and eligibility decisions.
We ran the numbers, and State Farm is the most forgiving of claims in terms of rate hikes.[1] Whether you've filed a comprehensive claim (or two) or experienced at-fault accidents, State Farm premiums show the least change.
Updating data...
| Company | No claims | One at-fault accident | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,556 | $2,426 | 56% |
| American Family | $811 | $1,159 | 43% |
| Farmers | $1,261 | $1,794 | 42% |
| GEICO | $939 | $1,448 | 54% |
| Nationwide | $1,189 | $2,018 | 70% |
| Progressive | $1,098 | $1,746 | 59% |
| State Farm | $1,213 | $1,536 | 27% |
| Travelers | $766 | $1,120 | 46% |
| USAA | $867 | $1,229 | 42% |
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
Car insurance with more than one comprehensive claim
Comprehensive claims are handled differently from collision claims. They cover damage from things other than crashes, like fire, theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. Since these incidents usually aren’t considered your fault, they tend to cause only a modest premium increase, about 5% on average.
That said, claim frequency still matters. Even non-fault claims appear on your CLUE Report, and filing too many in a short time can raise red flags. In some cases, drivers are dropped after an accident or after repeated comprehensive claims through a policy cancellation or non-renewal.
If you only carry liability coverage, you’re responsible for repairs out of pocket.
Updating data...
Source: The Zebra
Compare car insurance quotes with multiple accidents
How to handle policy cancellation or non-renewal
Sometimes, with too many claims, your insurance company can drop you by issuing a policy cancellation or non-renewal. Dealing with this outcome can be challenging, but you're not out of options yet. First, let's understand the difference between these two terms.
Cancellation
Every insurance company sets its own benchmark for triggering a cancellation, but it is more likely that you'll face cancellation or non-renewal if you've made three or more claims within a three-year period. Most cancellations occur within the first 60 days of a policy, usually due to non-compliance.
Non-renewal
Your insurance company may choose to simply not renew your policy at the end of the policy period instead of canceling it. They may do this for a variety of reasons, but having one too many claims on your record is one of them. It's important to start looking for new coverage before your current policy expires to ensure continuous protection.
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Explore liability-only coverage for more affordable rates— though this is only possible if you own your vehicle outright.
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Look into non-standard auto insurance companies. They often specialize in high-risk drivers and may offer more flexible solutions.
Updating data...
| Company | Avg. Monthly Premium | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $94 | $563 |
| Nationwide | $82 | $494 |
| Farmers | $76 | $453 |
| State Farm | $69 | $414 |
| Progressive | $62 | $370 |
| American Family | $58 | $350 |
| Travelers | $51 | $306 |
| GEICO | $47 | $282 |
| USAA | $46 | $274 |
Source: The Zebra
⚠️ A word of caution: If you choose to downgrade to liability-only insurance, any accidents you get in will be on your dime— liability coverage only covers the other driver and their vehicle, not yours.
Your next move: check out non-standard car insurance
After multiple claims or a non-renewal, you may be classified as a high-risk driver. Even with a complicated accident history, coverage is still available. You may need to look beyond traditional insurers and explore non-standard car insurance companies, which specialize in covering drivers who’ve had difficulty getting insured elsewhere.
Working with an independent agent can also help. They can review your C.L.U.E. Report, explain how insurers view how many accidents you’ve had, and help you find coverage that fits your current situation.
Updating data...
| Company | Avg. Monthly Premium | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $159 | $954 |
| Progressive | $181 | $1,083 |
| Infinity | $233 | $1,401 |
| Safe Auto | $267 | $1,601 |
| Foremost | $310 | $1,860 |
| Hallmark | $317 | $1,903 |
| Bristol West | $361 | $2,168 |
| Dairyland | $429 | $2,576 |
Source: The Zebra
The Best Car Insurance Companies for High-Risk Drivers
Multiple tickets, car accidents or a DUI conviction can increase your premiums by more than $600 per year. Find the best auto insurance company for your circumstances.
How to find car insurance after multiple claims
There's no magic trick to lower premiums after multiple claims. Depending on how egregious your claim history is, you may even have trouble finding car insurance coverage. But there are some steps worth considering to alleviate the impact of the claims on your insurance costs and find the best car insurance companies.
Dropping collision and comprehensive coverage will drastically reduce premiums. However, this is not possible with a leased or financed car, nor recommended if your vehicle is worth more than $4,000. One thing you can do to save while carrying full coverage is raise your deductible— it'll cost more out of pocket if you file another claim, but monthly premiums will be lower.
Most discounts are quite small but can add up. See if you qualify for any auto insurance discounts— they vary by insurance company, but most offer discounts for bundling, multiple vehicles, and autopay.
Comparing car insurance quotes every six months is a good way to find affordable car insurance. If you're having trouble finding coverage because of your driving record, talk to an agent or look for non-standard insurance companies.
Along with keeping a clean driving record, practicing safe driving by taking a defensive driving course and improving your credit score, using your insurance coverage carefully can also pay off. If you’re in a situation where you think you need to file a claim, use our claims calculator to determine if it's worth it.
"Claims stay on your record for up to five years and can impact your future insurance rates," says licensed insurance agent Hunter Black. "If you already have two or three claims within a few years and get into another accident, it's best to avoid filing a claim if possible. Once you have more than three claims, finding reasonable rates can be challenging, especially in today's insurance market.
If the damages are minor and the other party agrees, you can opt to pay for the damages yourself without involving insurance. However, if the damages are significant, you may have no choice but to file a claim, as that's what insurance is for."
FAQs: Auto insurance with multiple claims
Insider knowledge, trusted guidance
Meet the experts on the other end of the line.
Blake joined The Zebra in 2021 after a 5-year career at GEICO, where he started as a producer selling auto, property, cycle, RV, and boat policies be…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent - Property and Casualty
- 7+ years insurance experience
Johnny’s insurance experience began when he joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent, supporting the sales team by servicing policies …
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- 5 years experience in property & casualty insurance
Erica began at The Zebra in 2020 as a Licensed Service Agent, bringing six years of insurance experience from her career at Progressive where she spe…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- 10+ years in the insurance industry
Compare insurance rates quickly and easily.
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Data Methodology. The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool
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LexisNexis C.L.U.E. & Telematics OnDemand. CFPB
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.
