Finance & accounting · Ranked by price to features
10 Best Car Insurance with Accident Forgiveness of 2026
By the Rankozo research desk · Updated November 11, 2026 · Next review December 26, 2026
Progressive has the best accident forgiveness in 2026 for most drivers, because its free Loyalty Rewards program includes Small Accident Forgiveness from the first day of the policy and Large Accident Forgiveness after five years; GEICO suits drivers who will stay five years, since it then adds Accident Forgiveness at no charge, and Allstate suits switchers who want an at-fault accident covered from the day they buy. The lowest published price on this list is AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford at as little as $87 a month, as of November 2026, and drivers in California should note that Liberty Mutual, Travelers and The Hartford do not sell forgiveness there.
- Tools ranked
- 10
- With free plan
- 0
- Cheapest paid plan
- Allstate, $69
- per month, Pennsylvania average liability-only bought online
Comparison table
| Tool | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | 01 | 9.0 | 9.0 | Customper month, average liability-only policy | No |
| GEICO | 02 | 8.8 | 8.9 | Check price | No |
| Allstate | 03 | 8.5 | 8.3 | $69per month, Pennsylvania average liability-only bought online | No |
| Liberty Mutual | 04 | 8.4 | 8.4 | Custompremium by quote | No |
| Travelers | 05 | 8.3 | 8.2 | Customdeductible credit, premium by quote | No |
| AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford | 06 | 8.1 | 8.0 | $87per month | No |
| USAA | 07 | 8.1 | 8.5 | Check price | No |
| Nationwide | 08 | 7.9 | 7.8 | Check price | No |
| American Family Insurance | 09 | 7.8 | 7.7 | Check price | No |
| Farmers Insurance | 10 | 7.5 | 7.4 | Check price | No |
Click a column to sort. Prices are the cheapest paid plan quoted from each vendor's US pricing page; "Check price" means the US price check is pending.
How this ranking works
One method for every tool. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests. Value carries the most weight.
Full methodThis list is for drivers who want their first at-fault accident not to raise their premium. Accident forgiveness comes in two forms: a free benefit you earn after years of loyalty or a clean record, and a paid add-on you buy with the policy. We compared documented features, eligibility rules, state limits and published prices on each insurer's own pages in November 2026. Rankozo weights value at 40%, features at 35% and ease of use at 25%. Insurers do not publish the price of forgiveness itself, so the prices shown are published averages, starting prices or related credits, and every driver should compare quotes with and without the feature.
The verdict
Progressive is the best car insurance with accident forgiveness for most drivers: Small Accident Forgiveness comes free with its Loyalty Rewards program on day one, and Large Accident Forgiveness follows after five years, with time at a prior insurer counted. GEICO is the best free option for loyal customers, adding Accident Forgiveness after five years of continuous coverage, and Allstate is the cleanest paid route for new customers. Liberty Mutual suits clean drivers switching from another carrier, Travelers adds forgiveness for a first minor ticket, and USAA suits member families with teen drivers. The Hartford, Nationwide, American Family and Farmers fit narrower needs, from AARP members to drivers who want forgiveness every three years. State Farm and Erie Insurance were left out because we could not find first-accident forgiveness documented on their own sites.
- 01Top value
Progressive
9.0/10National insurer whose free Loyalty Rewards program adds Small Accident Forgiveness on day one and Large Accident Forgiveness after five years.
Price
Customper month, average liability-only policy
No forgiveness price; Progressive's average liability-only policy runs from $87.56 a month in low-cost states to $165.02 in high-cost states
“The average cost of Progressive car insurance ranges from $87.56 per month in low-cost states to $165.02 per month in high-cost states for a liability-only policy.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 9.0
- Features (35%)
- 8.8
- Ease of use (25%)
- 9.2
Best forDrivers who want forgiveness included from the first day without paying for an add-on
Progressive gives the most forgiveness for the least effort. Every auto customer is enrolled in Loyalty Rewards automatically and for free, and the program's chart lists Small Accident Forgiveness at the Immediate Day 1 level, so a minor at-fault fender bender early in the policy can be forgiven without any add-on. Large Accident Forgiveness unlocks at the Diamond level after five years, and Progressive says it counts the time you were insured with a prior company toward your loyalty level, which can shorten the wait for drivers who switch. Other rungs add a Continuous Insurance Discount, a Teen Driver Discount and, after 20 years, a Lifetime Renewal Guarantee. Progressive also publishes average liability-only premiums of $87.56 to $165.02 a month by state cost tier. The limit is that a serious crash in the first five years is not covered by the day-one benefit, and Progressive does not define the small and large thresholds on the loyalty page.
- ✓Forgiveness is part of a free loyalty program, not a paid add-on
- ✓Credit for years with your previous insurer can speed up Large Accident Forgiveness
- ✓Publishes average liability-only prices by state cost tier
- ✕Day-one cover is limited to small accidents
- ✕Large Accident Forgiveness needs 5 years of loyalty
- ✕No published price for the forgiveness benefit itself
- Cost of forgiveness:
- Included in free Loyalty Rewards
- Small accidents:
- Forgiven from day 1
- Large accidents:
- Forgiven at 5 years (Diamond level)
- Average liability-only price:
- $87.56 to $165.02 a month
Bottom line: Progressive is the best car insurance with accident forgiveness for most drivers because Small Accident Forgiveness is included from day one at no extra cost. Drivers who need a large accident covered immediately should compare Allstate's paid add-on.
- 02
GEICO
8.8/10National direct insurer that gives free Accident Forgiveness after 5 years of continuous coverage and sells an upgraded version in most states.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.9
- Features (35%)
- 8.7
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.9
Best forCareful drivers who plan to stay with one insurer for 5 years
GEICO offers two routes to the same protection. Stay with GEICO for five years of continuous coverage with a clean record and Accident Forgiveness is added as a reward at no charge, which means your premium will not rise because of your first qualifying accident. If you want protection sooner, Upgraded Claim Forgiveness can be bought in most states when you first buy the policy or at renewal, provided you meet GEICO's driving record and experience rules. GEICO says it waives the surcharge tied to the first qualifying loss caused by an eligible rated driver, and that the benefit belongs to the policy rather than to each driver, so a household gets one use. Once the paid upgrade has been used, the premium charge for it is removed at the next renewal. The free version may not apply to drivers under 21, and GEICO does not publish what the upgrade costs.
- ✓Free version needs no purchase, only time and a clean record
- ✓Paid upgrade gives cover before the 5-year mark
- ✓Clear rule that only the first qualifying loss is forgiven
- ✕Free version may not apply to drivers under 21
- ✕One use per policy, not per driver
- ✕Not available in all states, and GEICO publishes no upgrade price
- Free forgiveness:
- After 5 years of continuous coverage
- Paid option:
- Upgraded Claim Forgiveness, most states
- Uses:
- Once per policy
- Age limit:
- Free version may not apply under 21
Bottom line: GEICO is the best choice for loyal drivers because its Accident Forgiveness is free after 5 years of continuous coverage. Households with young drivers should check the under-21 limit first.
- 03
Allstate
8.5/10National insurer with an optional Accident Forgiveness feature that stops rates rising after an at-fault accident.
Price
$69per month, Pennsylvania average liability-only bought online
No forgiveness price published; Pennsylvania customers who bought online paid $69 a month on average for liability-only cover
“Allstate customers in Pennsylvania who purchased online paid $69/month* – on average – for a liability-only auto insurance policy covering one driver and one vehicle.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.3
- Features (35%)
- 8.6
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.8
Best forDrivers who want forgiveness from the first day of a new policy
Allstate is the simplest option if you want forgiveness in place before you have built up years with an insurer. Its Accident Forgiveness is an optional feature you usually add when you buy the policy, and Allstate states plainly that with it your rates won't go up after an accident, even if it was your fault. Customers who already have a policy may be able to add it by logging in to My Account. That makes it a good fit for drivers moving to Allstate who do not want to wait five years for a loyalty reward. Allstate pairs it with Drivewise, which gives driving feedback and can lower costs, and with student discounts. The trade-offs are cost and reach: Accident Forgiveness is a paid option with no published price, it is not available in every state, and Allstate does not publish an average premium nationally, so the $69 Pennsylvania online average is only a reference point.
- ✓Can be added at purchase, with no waiting period stated on the page
- ✓Covers at-fault accidents, the case most drivers worry about
- ✓Existing customers can add it online
- ✕Paid optional feature, and no price is published
- ✕Not available in every state
- ✕Drivewise can raise rates for risky driving in some states
- Type:
- Optional feature
- When to add:
- At purchase, or later via My Account
- At-fault accidents:
- Covered, rates won't go up
- Availability:
- Not available in every state
Bottom line: Allstate is the best choice for new customers who want an at-fault accident forgiven from the start because Accident Forgiveness can be added when you buy the policy. Expect to pay extra for it.
- 04
Liberty Mutual
8.4/10National insurer selling Accident Forgiveness to new customers who have 5 clean years with any carrier.
Price
Custompremium by quote
No forgiveness price published; Liberty Mutual says drivers who switch could save over $700
“Drivers who switch to Liberty Mutual could save over $700 on car insurance.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.4
- Features (35%)
- 8.4
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.5
Best forDrivers with 5 clean years elsewhere who are switching insurers
Liberty Mutual is built for clean drivers who are changing insurers. Its Accident Forgiveness is optional coverage that, once enrolled, keeps your price from going up at renewal because of your first accident. Eligibility looks at your whole record: no accidents in the last five years regardless of your carrier and no violations in the last five years, so years with a previous insurer count. Drivers 25 and under must total five consecutive clean years before a first accident is forgiven. The fine print limits it to new customers, so existing policyholders should log in or call to check whether they qualify, and it is not available in California. Liberty Mutual says drivers who switch could save over $700, and it also offers a Violation-Free Discount. The strict rule on violations is the main drawback: a single ticket in the past five years can rule you out.
- ✓Clean years with a previous insurer count toward eligibility
- ✓First accident is forgiven at renewal
- ✓Online quotes, phone and agent buying options
- ✕Optional coverage for new customers only
- ✕Not available in California
- ✕Any violation in the past 5 years can disqualify you
- Eligibility:
- 5 years with no accidents or violations
- Who can buy:
- New customers only
- Not available:
- California
- Switching savings:
- Over $700, per Liberty Mutual
Bottom line: Liberty Mutual is the best choice for clean drivers switching insurers because its Accident Forgiveness counts accident-free years with any carrier. It is sold to new customers only and not in California.
- 05
Travelers
8.3/10Agent-sold insurer whose Responsible Driver Plan forgives your first covered accident and your first minor violation.
Price
Customdeductible credit, premium by quote
No forgiveness price published; the Premier Responsible Driver Plan earns a $50 deductible credit per clean six-month term, up to $500
“on a six-month policy, for every six months that all drivers on the policy are accident- or major-violation-free, you can earn a $50 credit up to $500 to be applied toward your deductible in the event of a covered loss.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.2
- Features (35%)
- 8.6
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.0
Best forDrivers who also want a first minor ticket forgiven
Travelers is the strongest pick if a speeding ticket worries you as much as a crash. Its Responsible Driver Plan combines Accident Forgiveness, which forgives one accident over a specified period, with Minor Violation Forgiveness, so your premium does not rise solely because of your first minor traffic violation as a Travelers customer. The Premier Responsible Driver Plan adds Decreasing Deductible, which on a six-month policy earns a $50 credit toward your deductible for every six months all drivers stay accident- and major-violation-free, up to $500, plus a Total Loss Deductible Waiver. Travelers reviews your driving record and the accidents and violations of other drivers in the household before approving the feature, and you check eligibility with a local independent agent or a Travelers representative. None of these features are available in California, and some other states are excluded too. Travelers does not publish what either plan costs.
- ✓Only pick here that documents ticket forgiveness alongside accident forgiveness
- ✓Premier plan cuts the deductible as well as protecting the rate
- ✓Local independent agents can confirm eligibility
- ✕Not available in all states, including California
- ✕Eligibility checks every driver in the household
- ✕No published price for either plan
- Accidents forgiven:
- One over a specified period
- Tickets forgiven:
- First minor violation
- Deductible credit:
- $50 per clean six months, up to $500
- Not available:
- California and some other states
Bottom line: Travelers is the best choice for drivers who want both an accident and a first minor ticket forgiven because its Responsible Driver Plan covers both. Check with an agent, as it is not sold in California.
- 06
AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford
8.1/10Auto insurance for AARP members that excuses the first accident after 5 clean years with The Hartford.
Price
$87per month
Pay as little as $87 a month for AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford
“Pay as little as $87*** a month for AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.0
- Features (35%)
- 8.0
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.2
Best forAARP members with a long clean record
The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford suits older drivers who expect to stay put. Accident forgiveness excuses your first accident if you need to file a claim, as long as all drivers on the policy have a clean record and have been accident-free for five straight years with The Hartford. That last condition matters: unlike Liberty Mutual, clean years with another insurer do not count, so the benefit rewards long-term customers rather than switchers. The Hartford pairs it with a Disappearing Deductible that lowers the collision deductible the longer you drive safely, and it says you can pay as little as $87 a month, one of the few starting prices published by an insurer on this list. Accident forgiveness is not available to California policyholders, and the program is designed for AARP members, so younger households will usually look elsewhere.
- ✓Published starting price of $87 a month
- ✓Forgiveness pairs with a deductible that shrinks over time
- ✓Clear 5-year eligibility rule
- ✕The 5 clean years must be with The Hartford
- ✕Not available to California policyholders
- ✕Built around AARP membership
- Eligibility:
- 5 straight accident-free years with The Hartford
- Not available:
- California
- Starting price:
- As little as $87 a month
- Extra benefit:
- Disappearing Deductible
Bottom line: The Hartford is the best choice for AARP members who plan to stay with one insurer because its accident forgiveness comes after 5 clean years and prices start at $87 a month. Switchers get no credit for clean years elsewhere.
- 07
USAA
8.1/10Insurer for USAA members that offers an accident forgiveness coverage option in most states.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.5
- Features (35%)
- 7.8
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.0
Best forUSAA members, including families adding a teen driver
USAA offers accident forgiveness as a coverage option in most states, and its FAQ says choosing it may prevent a future accident-related premium increase. The feature is especially useful for families: USAA's teen-driver guidance says your premium may not go up after your teen's first at-fault accident if you have accident forgiveness. USAA defines an at-fault accident as one that is chargeable under the Merit Rating Plan on file in your state, and it warns that accidents that are not chargeable can still be used to classify drivers or decide discount eligibility, which may raise the premium. The company also offers a safe driving discount for keeping a good record for more than five years. The limits are membership, since only USAA members can buy its policies, the missing price, and the fact that the option is not offered in every location.
- ✓Covers first at-fault accidents by teen drivers on the policy
- ✓Clear definition of an at-fault accident in the terms
- ✓Can be paired with a long-term safe driving discount
- ✕Only available to USAA members
- ✕Not available in all locations
- ✕Non-chargeable accidents can still affect discounts and classification
- Availability:
- Most states
- Teen drivers:
- First at-fault accident can be covered
- At-fault test:
- Chargeable under the Merit Rating Plan
- Who can buy:
- USAA members
Bottom line: USAA is the best choice for USAA member families with teen drivers because its accident forgiveness can keep the premium flat after a teen's first at-fault accident. Non-members cannot buy it.
- 08
Nationwide
7.9/10National insurer selling Accident Forgiveness as an add-on that covers everyone on the policy once.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 7.8
- Features (35%)
- 7.9
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.0
Best forHouseholds that want one forgiveness shared by every driver
Nationwide treats Accident Forgiveness as a straightforward purchase. It is a coverage option, available in select states, that can help you avoid a rate increase after your first at-fault accident, and other drivers on the policy can benefit as well. The catch is that it can only be used once per policy, so a household with several drivers shares one forgiveness. You have to buy it as an addition to your regular auto policy by talking to an agent or calling Nationwide, and the company acknowledges it costs extra while arguing that it can more than offset the increase you might see after an accident. There is no free version earned through loyalty as with GEICO or Progressive, and Nationwide does not publish the add-on price, so ask for a quote with and without it to see whether the math works in your state.
- ✓Covers every driver on the policy
- ✓No waiting period described for the purchased add-on
- ✓Nationwide says it can more than offset a post-accident increase
- ✕Always costs extra; there is no earned free version
- ✕Only one use per policy
- ✕Available in select states only
- Type:
- Paid add-on
- Uses:
- Once per policy
- Who is covered:
- Others on your policy too
- Availability:
- Select states
Bottom line: Nationwide is a good choice for multi-driver households that want one forgiveness covering everyone on the policy. Because it always costs extra and works once, compare it with free loyalty versions first.
- 09
American Family Insurance
7.8/10Regional insurer in 19 states whose Accident Forgiveness can be purchased or earned.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 7.7
- Features (35%)
- 7.8
- Ease of use (25%)
- 7.8
Best forDrivers in American Family's 19 states who want a buy-or-earn option
American Family Insurance describes Accident Forgiveness as a shield against increased premiums after your first car accident, and says it can be purchased or earned. Its page walks through realistic cases such as rear-ending another car, scraping your mailbox while backing out or sliding on black ice into a parked car, and is clear that you still file a claim and pay your deductible; only the premium stays the same. American Family says it serves 12 million customers across 19 states, and you can quote online or work with an agent. The weak spots are reach and detail: the company sells in only 19 states, eligibility criteria vary by state, and the page does not say how many years it takes to earn the benefit or what the purchased version costs. Ask an agent which route applies to you before you compare quotes.
- ✓Two routes to coverage: buy it or earn it
- ✓Examples on the page show what a first accident looks like
- ✓Agent support for eligibility questions
- ✕Sold in 19 states only
- ✕Earning rules are not spelled out on the page
- ✕You still file a claim and pay your deductible
- How to get it:
- Purchased or earned
- Footprint:
- 19 states
- Customers:
- 12 million, per American Family
- Deductible:
- Still applies
Bottom line: American Family is a solid choice for drivers in its 19 states because Accident Forgiveness can be either purchased or earned. Drivers elsewhere cannot buy it.
- 10
Farmers Insurance
7.5/10Agent-led insurer whose paid accident forgiveness forgives one at-fault accident for every three accident-free years.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 7.4
- Features (35%)
- 7.6
- Ease of use (25%)
- 7.6
Best forDrivers who may need forgiveness more than once over many years
Farmers Insurance takes a different approach from the once-per-policy rules elsewhere on this list. If you add accident forgiveness to your policy, Farmers will forgive one at-fault accident for every three years you drive without one, so a careful driver could use it more than once over a long relationship. It is optional coverage at additional cost, and it is attached to Farmers branded Flex Personal and Farmers Smart Plan Automobile policies, so it is not available with every Farmers policy. Farmers says the feature is offered in most states but lists clear exclusions: it is not available in California, Hawaii, North Carolina, New York or South Carolina. The company does not publish what the add-on costs, and there is no free earned version, which is why it ranks last on value here despite the useful three-year cycle.
- ✓Renewable: one accident every three years, not once per policy
- ✓Clear list of states where it is not sold
- ✓Agent network for policy questions
- ✕Not available in CA, HI, NC, NY or SC
- ✕Always an extra cost
- ✕Not available with all Farmers branded policies
- Frequency:
- 1 accident every 3 years
- Type:
- Optional, additional cost
- Not available:
- CA, HI, NC, NY, SC
- Eligible policies:
- Flex Personal and Smart Plan Automobile
Bottom line: Farmers is the best choice for long-term drivers who want forgiveness to renew because it forgives one at-fault accident every three years. It costs extra and is not sold in five states.
What to check before you pay
Earned or bought
GEICO and Progressive give forgiveness as a free loyalty reward, while Allstate, Nationwide, Farmers and Liberty Mutual sell it as an option. A free version costs nothing but needs years of tenure; a paid version works from the start but adds to every premium.
Check whose clean years count
Liberty Mutual counts five accident-free years with any carrier, and Progressive credits time insured with a prior company toward its loyalty levels. GEICO and The Hartford need the years to be with them, which favors drivers who already hold a policy there.
Read the once-per-policy rule
GEICO and Nationwide allow one use per policy, shared by every driver. Farmers forgives one at-fault accident for every three years without one, so it can be used again. In a household with teen drivers, the first accident by anyone uses the benefit.
Confirm your state
Liberty Mutual, Travelers and The Hartford do not offer forgiveness in California, and Farmers excludes California, Hawaii, North Carolina, New York and South Carolina. American Family sells in 19 states only.
Price the policy both ways
No insurer on this list publishes what forgiveness costs. Ask for a quote with and without it, then compare the difference with the increase a single at-fault claim would cause over three to five years.
FAQ
What car insurance has the best accident forgiveness?
Progressive has the best accident forgiveness for most drivers. Its free Loyalty Rewards program gives Small Accident Forgiveness on day one and Large Accident Forgiveness after five years, and it counts time with your previous insurer toward that wait. GEICO is the best free alternative after five years of continuous coverage.
What is the best car insurance if you have had an accident?
Progressive is a strong first quote after an accident because it publishes average liability-only prices of $87.56 to $165.02 a month and adds Small Accident Forgiveness from day one, which can protect you from the next one. Forgiveness does not erase an accident that happened before you bought it, so compare several quotes and add forgiveness to protect against the next claim.
Which insurers give accident forgiveness for free?
GEICO and Progressive. GEICO adds Accident Forgiveness at no charge after five years of continuous coverage, and Progressive includes Small Accident Forgiveness from day one and Large Accident Forgiveness after five years in its free Loyalty Rewards program.
Does State Farm have accident forgiveness?
We could not find first-accident forgiveness documented on State Farm's own site, so it is not on this list. Drivers who want the feature should quote Progressive, GEICO or Allstate, which describe it on their own pages.
Can I get accident forgiveness as a new customer?
Yes. Allstate lets you add Accident Forgiveness when you buy the policy, Liberty Mutual sells it only to new customers with five clean years at any carrier, and GEICO sells Upgraded Claim Forgiveness at purchase in most states.
Is accident forgiveness available in California?
Often not. Liberty Mutual, Travelers, The Hartford and Farmers all say their forgiveness is not available in California, so California drivers should ask each insurer directly before relying on it.
Does accident forgiveness cover a teen driver's accident?
It can. USAA says your premium may not go up after your teen's first at-fault accident if you have accident forgiveness, and GEICO and Nationwide apply one use per policy across eligible drivers, though GEICO's free version may not apply to drivers under 21.
Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.comSee our disclosure. Prices change; confirm on the vendor page before buying.
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