Travelers offers accident forgiveness to certain qualifying drivers.
You can pay extra to add accident forgiveness to your Travelers car insurance policy. This optional add-on is only available to drivers with a good record.
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about Travelers’ accident forgiveness and how it works.
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Travelers offers accident forgiveness as an optional feature. You can pay a few extra dollars per month to add accident forgiveness to your Travelers car insurance policy.
Like other insurers, Travelers uses accident forgiveness to forgive a single at-fault accident. If you cause an accident and have accident forgiveness on your policy, then Travelers will not raise rates because of that accident, nor will you lose your safe driving discount.
Typically, insurers raise premiums 40% to 60% after a single at-fault accident. With Travelers’ accident forgiveness, you can avoid paying higher premiums after a single accident.
Travelers’ accident forgiveness works similarly to accident forgiveness from other providers. You pay a few extra dollars per month, then avoid the penalties of a single at-fault accident.
You must meet certain qualifications to add accident forgiveness to your Travelers policy.
Travelers may not offer accident forgiveness in certain states. Many insurers avoid offering accident forgiveness in California, for example, because of state insurance laws.
Travelers also offers two unique accident forgiveness plans, including the Responsible Driver Plan and the Premier Responsible Driver Plan. These provide additional protection against accidents, high deductibles, and minor violations. Travelers is one of the few major insurers offering these types of plans.
Contact your Travelers agent to determine if you qualify for accident forgiveness – and to check how much it costs to add accident forgiveness to your policy.
Depending on your unique needs, Travelers’ accident forgiveness may or may not be the right choice for you. Some of the perks of Travelers’ accident forgiveness include:
Travelers offers an additional package called the Responsible Driver Plan.
With Travelers’ Responsible Driver Plan, you get accident forgiveness and minor violation forgiveness. If you receive a speeding ticket, for example, or are involved in an at-fault accident, then Travelers will not raise your insurance premiums.
Accident Forgiveness: The Travelers Responsible Driver Plan includes accident forgiveness, which forgives one accident over a specific period of time to protect you from premium increases due to an accident.
Minor Violation Forgiveness: Travelers offers minor violation forgiveness as part of its Responsible Driver Plan. Travelers will forgive one minor violation over a specific period, which means you won’t pay higher insurance rates after your first minor traffic violation.
Travelers also offers a higher-end accident forgiveness package called the Premier Responsible Driver Plan. You get accident forgiveness combined with a decreasing deductible and a total loss deductible waiver, which makes accidents even more stress-free.
Accident & Minor Violation Forgiveness: The Travelers Premier Responsible Driver Plan includes accident and minor violation forgiveness identical to the Responsible Driver Plan. Travelers forgiveness one accident over a specific period of time and one minor violation over a specific period time.
Decreasing Deductible: Travelers’ Premier Responsible Driver Plan includes a decreasing deductible. For every six months that all drivers on a policy are free of accidents or major violations, you earn a $50 credit, up to $500, to be applied to your deductible in the event of a covered loss. Or, if you have a 12-month policy with Travelers, then you earn $100 off your deductible for every 12 months that all drivers on the policy are free of accidents or major violations. Instead of paying a $500 deductible after your next at-fault accident, you could pay $0.
Total Loss Deductible Waiver: Travelers also offers a total loss deductible waiver as part of its Premier Responsible Driver Plan. This waiver means you will not pay a deductible if your car is totaled. Your car may be declared a total loss when damages exceed a certain threshold – typically 70% to 100% of a car’s value, depending on your state.
Travelers’ accident forgiveness may or may not be worth it, depending on your budget, insurance needs, and driving history.
Here are some things to consider when deciding whether or not to purchase Travelers’ accident forgiveness:
Likelihood of an Accident: Do you drive a lot of miles at rush hour? Do you live in a city with high accident rates? Are you a bad driver? Is someone in your household a bad driver? All of these things increase your likelihood of an accident. Accident forgiveness negates the impact of a single at-fault accident, which could save you thousands on insurance premiums. Accident forgiveness pays for itself after a single at-fault accident every few years. If you think there’s a good chance of an accident, then accident forgiveness may be worth it.
Average Annual Mileage: Some people drive fewer than 5,000 miles per year. Others drive over 15,000 miles per year. The average American drives around 14,000 miles per year. If you drive significantly fewer miles than that number, you may have less chance of getting in an accident, meaning accident forgiveness may not be worth it.
Peace of Mind: Some drivers value peace of mind. They like knowing a single mistake won’t cost them thousands of dollars. They like the comfort of driving with an extra layer of protection. If you value peace of mind and don’t mind paying extra, then Travelers’ accident forgiveness may be worth it.
Driving Record: Travelers only offers accident forgiveness to drivers with a good driving record. Depending on your driving record, you may or may not qualify for accident forgiveness. Generally, you need to be claim-free for three to five years to qualify for Travelers’ accident forgiveness, although rules vary between states.
Cost of Coverage: Travelers’ accident forgiveness pricing varies widely based on your driving record, state insurance laws, vehicle type, and other factors. Some drivers may pay only a few extra dollars annually for accident forgiveness, while others could pay $10 to $20 per month. It’s up to you to determine how much you’re willing to pay for Travelers’ accident forgiveness.
The Value of Travelers’ Responsible Driver Plans: Travelers is one of the few major insurers offering a Responsible Driver Plan and a Premier Responsible Driver Plan. These plans allow you to avoid the impact of a violation and at-fault accident (on the Responsible Driver Plan) while also enjoying a diminishing deductible and a total loss deductible waiver (on the Premier Responsible Driver Plan). If you’re willing to pay extra for even more peace of mind, then the Travelers Responsible Driver Plans are a unique perk that may be worth it.
Travelers offers accident forgiveness to drivers across the United States.
Travelers also offers additional packages like the Responsible Driver Plan and Premier Responsible Driver Plan, providing added perks and peace of mind.
If you’re willing to pay extra for peace of mind, or if you want to avoid higher premiums and other penalties after an accident, then Travelers’ accident forgiveness may be the right choice.
James Shaffer James Shaffer is a writer for InsurancePanda.com and a well-seasoned auto insurance industry veteran. He has a deep knowledge of insurance rules and regulations and is passionate about helping drivers save money on auto insurance. He is responsible for researching and writing about anything auto insurance-related. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bentley University and his work has been quoted by NBC News, CNN, and The Washington Post.