Do you sometimes wish you had a rewind button? We’ve all had those mornings where we’re rushing to get to work and finishing our breakfast in the car. Sometimes you get there just fine, and sometimes you end up with coffee stains down your shirt. But what if suddenly the worst were to happen — in the flash of a second you’ve gotten into an accident.
It’s no secret than an accident can affect your car insurance premium, even if you weren’t at fault. Insurance companies look at several factors when determining your policy, one being the likelihood of an accident. After you get into an accident, your chances of being in another, unfortunately, increase.
How can accident forgiveness help if you get into an accident?
If you are a qualified driver and add an accident forgiveness endorsement to your auto policy, your insurance company won’t penalize you for getting into an accident. This means that if you have an accident forgiveness endorsement and were to get into an auto accident, this would not be calculated into the evaluation of your auto insurance premium. Therefore, your rates won’t go up. Conversely, if you don’t have accident forgiveness in Massachusetts and get in an accident, you could face increased insurance premiums for the next six years.
Do you qualify for an accident forgiveness endorsement?
This money-saving endorsement isn’t available to every driver. For example, if you have been in several accidents, it is unlikely that you will be eligible for accident forgiveness. However, if you are an experienced driver with a clean driving record, you should talk to your local agent to see if accident forgiveness could work for you. It’s also important to understand that accident forgiveness will only apply to you, even if your spouse is listed on your policy. And for new drivers, no matter what your age, you must have at least six years of driving experience to be eligible for this endorsement.
Other Things To Know About Accident Forgiveness in Massachusetts
If you qualify for accident forgiveness in Massachusetts and choose to use it, it’s important to note a few things. After an accident, you must contact your insurance carrier directly to report the at-fault accident and use this endorsement. If a third-party contacts the carrier, accident forgiveness won’t apply. Also, if you choose to leave your carrier, accident forgiveness doesn’t transfer. The accident is still on your driving record and a new insurance carrier will calculate this into a quote for a new policy. Lastly, accident forgiveness is a one and done endorsement. Once you choose to use accident forgiveness, you cannot access this coverage for any other accident until your driving record clears again, likely after 6 years.
Accidents happen, even to the best of drivers. And for many, accident forgiveness can be a great addition to a current car insurance policy. Contact an HIG insurance professional today about adding accident forgiveness to your car insurance policy — Contact us today about adding accident forgiveness to your car insurance policy, or call our office: (508) 676-5949.
