Does Farmers Have Accident Forgiveness?
Last Updated on February 5, 2026
Farmers offers accident forgiveness to qualifying drivers as an optional add-on (availability and eligibility vary by state and policy type).
Accident forgiveness is meant to protect you from a premium surcharge after a qualifying at-fault accident. With Farmers, the headline feature is that it can apply again over time—rather than being a one-time perk in the “lifetime” of the policy.
- It’s About Renewal Pricing: Accident forgiveness is designed to prevent a qualifying at-fault accident from triggering a surcharge at renewal.
- Farmers Uses a Three-Year Cycle: Farmers states it forgives 1 at-fault accident for every 3 years you drive without one when the feature is included and the accident qualifies.
- Not Available in Every State: Farmers states accident forgiveness isn’t available in CA, HI, NC, NY, or SC, and policy-type eligibility can vary.
- Add It Before You Need It: Accident forgiveness generally can’t be added after a crash to apply retroactively—confirm endorsement details on your declarations page.
- Farmers Accident Forgiveness at a Glance
- How Does Farmers Accident Forgiveness Work?
- Farmers Accident Forgiveness Requirements
- Farmers Offers Better Accident Forgiveness than Other Insurers
- Benefits of Farmers Accident Forgiveness
- How Much Will Farmers Raise Rates After an Accident?
- Where Is Farmers Accident Forgiveness Available?
- How to Add Accident Forgiveness to Your Farmers Policy
- Is Farmers Accident Forgiveness Worth It?
- Final Word on Farmers Accident Forgiveness
- FAQs on Farmers Accident Forgiveness
Farmers Accident Forgiveness at a Glance
| Topic | What to Know |
|---|---|
| What It’s Designed to Do | Helps prevent a surcharge after a qualifying at-fault accident (typically reflected at renewal). |
| How Often It Can Apply | Farmers states it forgives 1 at-fault accident for every 3 years you drive without one (when included/purchased and when the accident qualifies). |
| Where It’s Not Offered | Farmers states accident forgiveness isn’t available in CA, HI, NC, NY, or SC. |
| What It Doesn’t Do | Doesn’t erase the accident from records, doesn’t change fault, and usually doesn’t waive your deductible. |
| Best For | Drivers who want protection from a “first mistake” and prefer more predictable renewal pricing. |
How Does Farmers Accident Forgiveness Work?
Accident forgiveness is a policy feature that can prevent your premium from increasing due to a qualifying at-fault accident. Farmers’ published description says it will forgive one at-fault accident for every three years you drive without one when accident forgiveness is included/purchased (subject to terms, limitations, and eligibility requirements).
In most cases, you don’t “file” accident forgiveness separately. You report the claim normally, and the feature typically affects how your premium is calculated at renewal.
For an overview of the concept and how insurers usually define “forgiveness,” see our explainer on accident forgiveness.
Quick tip: Ask Farmers whether the feature applies only to surcharges (rate penalties) or also protects any safe-driver pricing you currently receive—policy form rules can vary.
Farmers Accident Forgiveness Requirements
Not all drivers qualify. Requirements vary by state and policy form, but accident forgiveness programs commonly require a clean recent driving/claims history and a minimum amount of driving experience.
When you’re checking eligibility, focus on three practical questions:
- Driver history: Are there recent at-fault accidents, citations, or major violations on the drivers being rated?
- Policy history: Have you maintained continuous coverage long enough to qualify under the program rules?
- Policy type: Is your Farmers policy form eligible for accident forgiveness in your state?
Maintaining a clean driving record is still the best way to keep long-term pricing competitive—accident forgiveness is a backstop, not a free pass.
Farmers Offers Better Accident Forgiveness than Other Insurers
Many insurers treat accident forgiveness as a one-time perk or require a long reset period after it’s used. Farmers’ “every three years” structure can be more flexible for drivers who want ongoing protection (as long as they remain eligible).
That said, the “best” insurer depends on price, coverage, and claims experience—not just one feature. Here’s a broader perspective on major auto insurance companies vs. smaller ones.
Benefits of Farmers Accident Forgiveness
When it applies, accident forgiveness can help you avoid some of the biggest pricing consequences of an at-fault accident. Benefits can include:
- Protection from a surcharge at renewal: A qualifying accident may not trigger the same premium penalty it otherwise would.
- Potentially preserving safe-driver pricing: Depending on your policy form, accident forgiveness may help you keep certain safe-driving savings. Learn how safe-driver pricing works in our guide to the good driver discount.
- Household protection: If multiple drivers are rated on the policy, accident forgiveness can be especially valuable because one driver’s mistake can affect the household’s renewal price.
How Much Will Farmers Raise Rates After an Accident?
Rate increases after an at-fault accident can vary widely based on state rules, claim severity, your prior record, and the insurer’s rating model. This is why many drivers consider accident forgiveness as a hedge against a big renewal jump.
If you want a detailed breakdown of why premiums can change after a claim, see: does your car insurance go up after an accident?
Insurers often consider your history for several years. These two guides explain the typical timelines and why your record matters so much:
Where Is Farmers Accident Forgiveness Available?
Farmers states accident forgiveness is available with certain Farmers-branded auto policy types in most states, but it is not available in California, Hawaii, North Carolina, New York, or South Carolina. Products, eligibility rules, and availability can vary by state and by policy form.
For the most current state availability language and policy-type details, review Farmers’ official disclosure on its auto insurance page:
Farmers: Auto Insurance (Accident Forgiveness Disclosure)
How to Add Accident Forgiveness to Your Farmers Policy
Accident forgiveness generally must be on your policy before an accident happens. If you try to add it after a crash, it typically won’t apply retroactively. Some policies may also have eligibility rules or waiting periods before the feature is active.
- Check availability for your state and policy form. Accident forgiveness isn’t available on every Farmers policy type.
- Confirm eligibility for all rated drivers. Household drivers and recent incidents can affect qualification.
- Verify the endorsement on your declarations page. Don’t assume you have it—make sure it’s listed.
To add it or confirm if it’s already included, contact your Farmers insurance agent or check your online policy documents.
Quick tip: If you’re shopping policies, ask for the quote both ways (with and without accident forgiveness) so you can see the real price difference for your household.
Is Farmers Accident Forgiveness Worth It?
It depends on your exposure to risk and how hard a renewal surcharge would hit your budget. Accident forgiveness often makes more sense when you drive a lot, commute in heavy traffic, or have multiple rated drivers in the household.
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| How Much You Drive | Higher mileage can mean more exposure to accidents. See how annual mileage impacts car insurance rates. |
| Local Accident Risk | Urban density, weather, and commute patterns can raise crash frequency. Here are the basics on car accident odds. |
| Your Claims History | If you’ve been claim-free for a long time, you may already benefit from lower-risk pricing. Learn more about the claims-free discount. |
| Endorsement Cost | If the add-on cost is low, it may be a reasonable hedge. If it’s high, comparing quotes or adjusting coverage may deliver more value. |
Final Word on Farmers Accident Forgiveness
Farmers accident forgiveness can help protect your premium after a qualifying at-fault accident. Farmers states it forgives one at-fault accident for every three years you drive without one (when included/purchased and when the accident qualifies), but availability and eligibility depend on your state and policy form.
Disclaimer: Program rules vary by state and policy type and may change. Always review your policy documents and endorsements (or confirm details with your agent) for your specific situation.
