Insurer ranking: which carriers raise premiums the least after a claim (useful for switching insurers)

A definitive, data-driven guide to which U.S. auto insurers raise rates the least after a claim — and exactly how to use that knowledge when switching carriers. This guide pulls together insurer-level studies, state differences, real-dollar examples and actionable switching tactics so you can minimize the long-term cost of a claim.

Key takeaways (fast answers)

Insurers that consistently show the smallest premium increases after an at‑fault accident: State Farm, USAA (members only), Erie and some regional mutuals/Auto‑Owners. Multiple industry analyses put State Farm among the lowest national increases. (forbes.com)
Insurers that commonly show larger post‑claim hikes: GEICO, Allstate, Farmers, Nationwide, Progressive — though results vary by state and scenario. (autoinsurance.com)
Typical national range: one at‑fault accident commonly increases full‑coverage premiums roughly 30%–60% (wide variation by state, insurer and claim severity). Expect the surcharge to affect renewals for 3–5 years in most states. (autoinsurance.com)
If you’re considering switching after a claim, shop around at renewal, compare post‑claim quotes from multiple carriers, check for accident forgiveness options, and weigh paying small claims out‑of‑pocket vs filing. See strategy section below. (nerdwallet.com)

Table of contents

How much a claim typically changes your premium (national averages & duration)
Data & methodology: how this insurer ranking was built
Ranked list: insurers that raise premiums the least (and why)
Company-by-company quick profiles
State and claim‑type variation (why a carrier may be gentle in one state and harsh in another)
Real examples and 3–5 year ownership cost comparisons
When to file a claim vs pay out‑of‑pocket (calculator logic + examples)
How to switch insurers after a claim (step‑by‑step, timing, and traps)
Policy levers and tactics that reduce post‑claim premium impact
Checklist: immediate actions after a claim
Further reading (internal links to deeper resources)

Table of Contents

How much a claim typically changes your premium (nationwide context)

Average national increase after one at‑fault accident: industry analyses center around ~40%–50% for a full‑coverage policy, with a typical dollar jump of roughly $800–$1,300 per year depending on the baseline premium. Different studies vary but they converge on a large, material jump. (autoinsurance.com)
Shorter answer by claim type:
- At‑fault property‑damage only accidents: increases are material but lower than injury claims. Company tables in published studies show a wide band (20% to 80% by carrier). (forbes.com)
- At‑fault accidents with injuries: higher increases and longer underwriting scrutiny. (forbes.com)
- Not‑at‑fault claims: many insurers still raise rates modestly (10% on average in some analyses), because insurers use claims as a risk signal beyond "fault." (insurify.com)
How long the surcharge sticks: 3–5 years is common; some states and drivers face effects for up to 7–10 years depending on records and state MVR/CLUE retention rules. Check your state‑specific rules when deciding whether to switch. (insurify.com)

(If you want exact state‑by‑state dollar examples, see: How a car insurance claim affects your premium: state-by-state cost increases and real dollar examples.)

Data & methodology — how we built this ranking

Short version: there is no single public dataset that gives a canonical “post‑claim surcharge per insurer nationwide.” Instead, top consumer research sites and industry data providers publish insurer breakdowns based on quote panels, LexisNexis/CLUE-fed data, and Quadrant/Insurify sample‑quote analyses. To produce a reliable, practical ranking we:

Aggregated insurer‑level post‑claim increases from multiple industry analyses and consumer research (Forbes Advisor / Quadrant, NerdWallet, AutoInsurance.com, Insure.com, Insurify). (forbes.com)
Focused on full‑coverage examples for a mid‑age driver profile (this is where post‑claim dollar impact is largest). Full‑coverage scenarios most reliably show the financial effect of property and collision claims. (nerdwallet.com)
Normalized where necessary (studies used slightly different scenarios) and emphasized consensus across sources rather than single‑source outliers. When sources diverge, we call it out below.
Flagged insurers with generous accident‑forgiveness programs or state‑limited practices (USAA, some Geico/State Farm regional programs, Erie in many states). (forbes.com)

Important: insurer behavior is dynamic — rate filings change, state rules evolve, and each driver’s profile matters. Use the ranking as a practical starting point, then get live quotes before switching. For more on how claims affect premiums by state and to run your own numbers, see: Will my rates go up? Quantifying insurance premium hikes after a claim (by claim type and state) and the Accident claim cost calculator: estimate your premium increase and long-term ownership expense.

Caveat: all tables below show average or typical results from public analyses; your mileage will vary.

Ranked list — which carriers raise premiums the least after a claim (summary ranking)

Below is a practical, consensus ranking of major carriers based on aggregated public analyses. The “Approx. post‑claim %” is a rounded, consensus percent increase for a single at‑fault accident on a full‑coverage policy (national average ranges across sources); the “Notes” column flags accident‑forgiveness availability and special restrictions.

Rank	Insurer	Approx. post‑claim % increase (consensus band)	Notes / practical implications
1	State Farm	~20%–30%	Consistently among the lowest post‑claim increases in multiple studies; broad availability; offers accident forgiveness in some states/for long‑term customers. (forbes.com)
2	USAA (membership only)	~25%–40%	Low dollar increases overall; restricted to military community; strong claims service. Not available to general public. (forbes.com)
3	Erie	~25%–35%	Regional mutual with favorable post‑claim behavior in many markets; small company, good loss‑control programs. Availability is regional. (forbes.com)
4	Auto‑Owners / regional mutuals	~25%–40%	Auto‑Owners and some mutuals (Hastings, etc.) show modest increases in panels that include regional carriers. Good for regional shoppers. (autoinsurance.com)
5	Travelers	~35%–45%	Mid‑range increases; sometimes offers responsible‑driver discounts/forgiveness in some states. (nerdwallet.com)
6	Progressive	~40%–55%	Wide variation by state; larger increases in several national studies. Offers accident forgiveness as optional in some states. (autoinsurance.com)
7	Nationwide	~45%–65%	Mid‑to‑high on many published lists; state and risk‑profile dependent. (forbes.com)
8	Farmers	~45%–70%	Frequently in the higher end of published increases. Consider local Farmers agent for forgiveness options. (autoinsurance.com)
9	Allstate	~45%–70%	Often shown with above‑average increases in national comparisons. Offers accident forgiveness with conditions. (forbes.com)
10	GEICO	~50%–80%	Large variation by study (some show very high increases). GEICO may still be competitive on absolute post‑claim premium in some ZIPs, but percent jump is often above average. (nerdwallet.com)

Sources used to build the ranking: Forbes Advisor / Quadrant data, NerdWallet analysis, AutoInsurance.com, Insure.com and Insurify sample quote data. See source notes for each company section below. (forbes.com)

Company-by-company quick profiles (what the data shows and practical advice)

Note: percentages here are typical consensus bands from the sources cited. Use them as directional guides when you shop.

State Farm — low post‑claim increases

What studies show: State Farm repeatedly appears among the carriers with the smallest percentage increases after at‑fault claims (often in the low‑20s to high‑20s percent range). (forbes.com)
Why: large book of business, detailed state rating plans, and in many states a focus on pricing to retain customers. Offers accident forgiveness in many states (often after a clean period).
Practical tip: If you have a clean history with State Farm and want to avoid a big jump after an accident, check whether you qualify for accident forgiveness — sometimes offered after several years claim‑free.

USAA — low increases but limited access

What studies show: USAA typically posts low dollar and percent increases post‑claim. However, membership restricts access. (forbes.com)
Practical tip: Military eligibility is the gating factor. If you’re eligible, get quotes — USAA often remains competitive even after a claim.

Erie & select regional mutuals — favorable in many markets

What studies show: Regional insurers like Erie and some mutual companies often show modest increases. Their underwriting and local loss control programs can reduce surcharge impact. (forbes.com)
Practical tip: If you live in an Erie territory or served by a smaller mutual, include them in quote runs; they can outperform national carriers on post‑claim pricing.

Travelers — mid‑range

What studies show: Travelers sits in the middle: not the softest but generally more forgiving than the largest national heavy hitters in some markets. (nerdwallet.com)

Progressive / Nationwide / Farmers / Allstate / GEICO — larger variation, often higher increases

What studies show: These national carriers frequently appear near the upper end of published percent increases after an at‑fault accident. GEICO and Progressive show big spread across sources — they can be cheap pre‑claim but show a larger percentage jump afterward in some analyses. (autoinsurance.com)
Practical tip: Don’t assume the pre‑claim cheapest carrier remains the cheapest post‑claim. Always request comparative post‑claim quotes.

State and claim‑type variation — why the same claim triggers different outcomes

Insurer actions after a claim are shaped by three interacting factors:

Carrier rating plans and surcharge tables (varies by insurer and state).
The state regulatory environment (states restrict how insurers surcharge for accidents and for how long). For example, New York and some others limit surcharges below certain dollar thresholds. (caranddriver.com)
Claim severity and fault (not‑at‑fault still sometimes increases rates; injuries and large paid claims increase the surcharge). (forbes.com)

Examples:

California and New Jersey reported among the highest post‑accident increases in national studies, while Wyoming, Maine and some rural states are often on the lower side. That means an insurer that raises rates little in Iowa may still be stingy in California. (forbes.com)

For state‑specific guidance and real dollar examples, see:

Real examples — 3‑year and 5‑year ownership cost after a claim

Below are simplified examples that show why percent increases matter in dollars. We use conservative, easy‑to‑follow math for a full‑coverage policy with a baseline premium of $2,400/year (a round number close to national full‑coverage averages in recent analyses). These are illustrative — quotes vary by ZIP, vehicle, age and coverage.

Scenario A — low‑increase carrier (State Farm, ~25% increase):

Year 0 (pre‑claim): $2,400
Year 1 (post‑claim renewal): $2,400 × 1.25 = $3,000 (+$600)
Years 1–3 combined (assuming surcharge lasts 3 years): $3,000 × 3 = $9,000
Total 3‑year spend (incl. Year 0 pre‑claim) = $2,400 + $9,000 = $11,400

Scenario B — high‑increase carrier (GEICO/Allstate type, ~60% increase):

Year 0: $2,400
Year 1: $2,400 × 1.60 = $3,840 (+$1,440)
Years 1–3 combined: $3,840 × 3 = $11,520
Total 3‑year spend = $2,400 + $11,520 = $13,920

3‑Year difference: $13,920 − $11,400 = $2,520 more with the higher‑increase carrier (for one at‑fault accident on this baseline premium).

If you face a choice of switching carriers after a claim, that dollar difference is the practical currency — not just the percent. For a detailed, interactive calculation see: Accident claim cost calculator: estimate your premium increase and long-term ownership expense.

Source context: national studies show similar scale dollar effects; the magnitude rises as base premiums increase. (autoinsurance.com)

When to file a claim vs pay out‑of‑pocket (simple decision logic)

Filing small claims can be tempting — but it may be the costliest long‑term choice. Use this decision rule:

If repair cost < (your deductible) → obviously pay out‑of‑pocket.
If repair cost is slightly above deductible, compare:
- The out‑of‑pocket repair + expected post‑claim surcharge over 3 years (use % increases from insurer-specific data)
- vs. the sum of paying the full repair (if you don’t file, you keep your clean risk rating)

Simple example decision threshold:

Deductible = $500; repairs = $1,200 → claim will recover $700. But if filing triggers an extra $1,000/year for 3 years, you lose money long‑term. Often better to self‑pay if the long‑term surcharge > a few years’ worth of the benefit of filing.

Detailed guide and examples: Cost comparisons: filing small claims vs paying out-of-pocket — which saves money over 3–5 years?

Caveats:

If injuries or liability exposure exist, file the claim to protect yourself legally and financially — the potential claim is larger than premium arithmetic.
If a third party sues, you must involve your insurer.

Data support: multiple consumer studies and insurer filings show that filing small claims often triggers a percent surcharge that outweighs the benefit of recovering small repair dollars. (insurance.com)

How to shop/switch insurers after a claim — step‑by‑step

Don’t cancel immediately. Wait until your insurer issues the renewal (or you have multiple quotes). Many companies apply mid‑term cancellation penalties; timing matters. (nerdwallet.com)
Get at least 4 competitive quotes that explicitly include the claim on your driving record (some online quote forms allow you to enter prior claims). Ask each carrier: “How will a single at‑fault accident from [date] affect my renewal premium?” — get the dollar figure. (forbes.com)
Check accident forgiveness / first‑accident forgiveness availability and price — it can be cheaper than a 1–3 year surcharge. Some carriers offer it as a free benefit if you have long tenure with the company. (insurify.com)
Compare net annual cost (post‑claim premium) rather than percent change alone — a carrier with a larger percent increase could still result in a lower total premium if their starting rate is far lower. (nerdwallet.com)
Confirm how claims are reported to CLUE/MVR and how long they remain visible — new carriers will see claims and will price them. There’s no “secret” way to hide a claim when switching. (insurify.com)
Time your switch (if any) to the policy renewal date for cleaner underwriting and easier premium proration.
When you bind: get written confirmation of limits, discounts, accident forgiveness (if included) and cancel old policy only after new binder is active.

Practical examples covered in depth: Minimize premium impact after a claim: policy choices and tactics that reduce long-term car insurance cost.

Policy levers and tactics to reduce post‑claim premium impact

Accident Forgiveness: Add or qualify for it — often the cheapest way to avoid a first accident surcharge. Offered by State Farm, Allstate, Progressive (some states), and others as either optional or retention benefit. (forbes.com)
Higher Deductible: Increases savings on small claims and sometimes reduces surcharges tied to small paid claims. But you pay more upfront on repair. (insurance.com)
Safety/Anti‑theft/Usage Discounts: Telematics programs or defensive driving course discounts can counterbalance surcharges. Ask insurers about usage‑based discounts post‑claim. (nerdwallet.com)
Bundle & Loyalty: Bundling home and auto or keeping a clean tenure can yield discounts and forgiveness benefits. But don’t overpay for loyalty — always compare post‑claim rates. (autoinsurance.com)
Shop Regionally: Some regional mutuals are more forgiving. Include local mutuals and regional carriers in quote runs. (caranddriver.com)

Practical switching scenarios and recommendations

If your current insurer will charge a modest increase (e.g., State Farm showing a ~25% hike) and competing carriers quote you materially lower post‑claim premiums, switching makes sense — but get written binders and confirm accident forgiveness terms. (autoinsurance.com)
If you have access to USAA and you're eligible, always include it in post‑claim shopping — USAA remains competitive post‑claim in multiple analyses. (nerdwallet.com)
If you have a small repair (just above deductible) and the expected 3‑year surcharge exceeds the insurance payout benefit, pay out‑of‑pocket unless there’s bodily injury or liability risk. See the calculator link above. (insurance.com)

Checklist: immediate actions after an accident to minimize premium impact

File legally required reports and exchange information. (Do not admit fault.)
If injuries or major liability exist: report to your insurer. Legal exposure outweighs premium math.
If damage is minor and repairs are <$1,000: get independent repair estimates and weigh paying out‑of‑pocket. Use the 3‑year cost comparison logic. (insurance.com)
Call your insurer to start a claim only when necessary — ask explicitly how a claim will impact your premium (get the estimate in writing if possible). (nerdwallet.com)
Gather quotes 30–60 days before renewal to understand your switching options. (forbes.com)

Common questions (quick answers)

Q: Will switching insurers after a claim hide my claim and reduce the surcharge?
A: No. Claims are visible to insurers via CLUE and MVR reports. New insurers will see the claim and price accordingly. Switching can give you a different post‑claim premium, but it does not “erase” the claim. (insurify.com)

Q: Can I keep my rate from increasing after an at‑fault accident?
A: Possibly — via accident forgiveness (if you already have it or purchase it), or if the insurer’s rating rules in your state exclude small claims below a threshold. Ask your carrier. (insurify.com)

Q: How long will the increase last?
A: Typically 3–5 years; some records persist longer (state dependent). (insurify.com)

Final recommendations — how to act right now

If you’ve just had a claim: gather repair estimates and decide whether the claim is necessary (liability/injury = file, minor property damage = evaluate as above).
Get at least 4 post‑claim quotes (include State Farm, Erie/regional, USAA if eligible, Progressive, GEICO) and compare absolute premium bills, not just percent changes. (nerdwallet.com)
Ask each prospective insurer about accident forgiveness, how they treat one at‑fault accident, and how long the surcharge will apply. Get the response in writing or as part of the quote.
If switching, bind the new policy before canceling the old one and confirm prorated refunds and effective dates.
Use the internal tools and articles linked here to refine state‑specific and claim‑type strategy: Will my rates go up? Quantifying insurance premium hikes after a claim (by claim type and state), Compare post-claim rate shock: top insurers’ average premium increases after at-fault, not-at-fault and glass claims, and Minimize premium impact after a claim: policy choices and tactics that reduce long-term car insurance cost.

Sources & further reading (selected industry analyses used)

Forbes Advisor (Quadrant data): company‑by‑company post‑claim increases and injury vs property damage comparisons. (forbes.com)
NerdWallet: insurer comparisons and state‑by‑state cheapness after a crash. (nerdwallet.com)
AutoInsurance.com: national average post‑accident increases and company tables. (autoinsurance.com)
Insure.com & Insurify: quote‑panel based tables and actionable averages used by shoppers. (insure.com)
Insurify / Insure platforms: on how accident forgiveness and telematics affect surcharge outcomes. (insurify.com)

If you want, I can:

Run post‑claim sample quotes in your ZIP code and compare the actual dollar impact across top carriers (need ZIP, driver age, vehicle, coverage limits).
Walk you through a 3‑year ownership cost worksheet using your current premium and likely post‑claim increases.
Pull the latest insurer rate‑filing excerpts for a specific state to show exact surcharge tables (state + insurer required).

Which of these would be most useful right now?