Getting in a car accident can be very shocking and traumatic. You may end up feeling even worse if you caused the accident and your auto insurance company will be covering the costs to repair the other driver's car as well as your own. When you're found liable for causing a car accident, your auto insurance premiums can go up — sometimes dramatically. Most people don't have a ton of extra money to spend on auto insurance, so an increase in rates can be hard on a person's budget. Use the following tips to help reduce your auto insurance rates after being found responsible for causing a car accident:

Ask About Accident Forgiveness

If you have maintained a very good driving record for several years, you may be in luck after causing a car accident. Many auto insurance companies offer accident forgiveness to loyal customers that do not have any other moving violations or car accidents on their driving records. When you contact your auto insurance company after you have caused a car accident, it is well worth your time to inquire about accident forgiveness and see if you qualify. In the event that your policy does qualify for accident forgiveness, you won't have to worry about your auto insurance premiums skyrocketing.

Enroll in a Defensive Driving Course

After being found liable for causing a car accident, one of the best things that you can do is enroll in a reputable defensive driving course. Almost all insurance companies offer discounts on auto insurance premiums if a driver successfully completes a defensive driving course. If you complete a defensive driving course and submit the certificate of completion to your auto insurance company, the discount may help offset the increase in your auto insurance premiums, making your rates more affordable. 

Increase Your Deductible

When it comes to auto insurance, the higher your deductible, the lower your premiums. In the event that your premiums become unaffordable after causing an auto accident, you may want to consider increasing the deductible on your policy. If you do choose a much higher insurance deductible, make sure that you put a little bit of money aside each month until you have saved up the entire deductible amount so you have those funds available in the event that you need to make an auto insurance claim in the future. In addition to raising your deductible, you may also want to think about dropping comprehensive insurance coverage if you own an older car that is paid off.

If you're looking for more information on reducing your auto insurance after experiencing an auto accident, consider calling an insurance agency like Wolf Insurance Agency for help.