Do you take pride in having a clean driving record? Your auto insurer will be happy about it, too. If you manage three to five years without filing a claim, your insurance company may apply a discount to your premium.
Your claims history is a rate factor insurers use to determine how much you pay for coverage. Any time you file one, it costs your provider time and money. This is why providers reward you when you don’t file.
This article will teach you all about the claims-free discount, including how it works and whether you qualify. We’ll also give you an idea of how much it can save you. Finally, we’ll list specific insurance providers offering this discount.
Find the best car insurance deal
Get better coverage, lower rates, or both by comparing quotes with our fast, easy-to-use form.
How the Claims-Free Discount Works
Insurers love policyholders that never file a claim and offer rich discounts for keeping your record claims-free. Qualifying is easy. Drivers save when they avoid filing for three to five years (the same amount of time they remain on your record). Five years may seem like a long time, but millions of drivers manage this. And you can, too.
While some insurance carriers come right out and tell you about rewards, others will surprise and delight you by lowering your premium automatically if you go an unspecified period without filing a claim.
Many providers also offer insurance discounts for safe driving that take both your claim filing history and driving record into account. However, despite any similarities, the two are substantially different. The claims-free discount focuses only on whether you’ve filed one. For instance, you might require a windshield replacement if a rock shatters it. Not your fault, but if you ask your provider to pay to fix it, you’re no longer eligible.
How Much You Save
As is the case with all auto insurance pricing, how much you save varies. The amount you save from the claims-free discount mainly depends on which company carries your policy. Another factor can be time. Some companies lower your rates each year you go without a claim. According to Progressive, drivers with a clean driving history save an average of 31%. To be sure how much you can save, speak with an agent or company representative.
Insurance Companies With a Claims-Free Discount
Only a few major insurers have an official claims-free discount on their websites. That doesn’t necessarily mean that your safe driving will go unrewarded if your provider doesn’t list it on theirs, however. Many insurance companies reward policyholders that manage to at least three years without an accident and filing a claim.
Below are top providers who either reward customers that don’t file or will offer you an incentive for avoiding car accidents:
Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual offers a discount when you keep your record clean for three to five years. The insurer doesn’t say how much this benefit will lower your rates. Be sure to speak with your agent or contact Liberty Mutual directly to learn more.
State Farm
State Farm rewards accident-free drivers with lower rates when they avoid crashes and don’t file claims for at least three to five years. The exact savings you could expect aren’t posted on State Farm’s website. You’ll need to reach out to your agent for details.
Amica
Amica also offers a claims-free discount. To qualify, you must go three years without filing an auto insurance claim and have at least one driver on your policy with 39 or more months of driving experience. The exact savings are unclear. Be sure to speak with an agent or Amica representative to learn more.
USAA
USAA offers a car insurance discount to drivers that go an unspecified time without filing a claim. Savings can be as high as 12% for eligible drivers. Ask your USAA agent for more information.
Claims-Free Discount on Insurance by Company
| Insurance Company | Claim-Free Years | Max Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty Mutual | 3 to 5 | N/A |
| State Farm | 3 to 5 | N/A |
| Amica | 39 months | N/A |
| USAA | N/A | 12% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back do insurers look at your driving record?
You can expect most insurance companies to look back on the last three to five years of your record. Some may consider up to seven years. If you had an accident or filed a claim within the last three years, chances are you won’t get a discount.
Will my savings go away if I have a car accident?
If you get into a car accident and file a claim your insurer, these savings will probably disappear. Each provider has different rules regarding this discount. However, if you have a fender-bender and pay out of pocket, your claims-free benefit may continue. At times, a minor claim, such as for roadside assistance, won’t result in losing your benefit. Be sure to ask your provider about this before you file.
How many years of claims-free driving does it take to qualify?
In general, you need to go at least three to five years without filing a single claim before you receive any type of savings. Each insurer sets a different limit on this. For example, Progressive wants you to go three years without filing before you see any markdown. On the flip side, GEICO requires at least a five-year period without an incident before qualifying.
