Orlando Harmon
When you apply for auto insurance, insurance companies will check your driving record to assess how much of a risk you are. They will look at your driving history, including any accidents, claims, and tickets, to determine your insurance risk level. This information, along with other factors such as your employment status and where you keep your vehicle, will influence your premium. While insurance companies generally only check your driving record when you apply for a new policy or at renewal, they may also check when you request a new quote, change your level of coverage, or add an extra driver to your policy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often do insurance companies check your driving record? | Insurance companies will check your driving record when you apply for a new policy, when you get a new quote, when your car insurance is up for renewal, when you request to change the level of coverage, change your car, or add an extra driver to the same coverage, and when you move. |
| What do insurance companies check? | Insurance companies will check your driving history, including accidents, claims, and tickets. They will also check your Claims Loss Underwriting Exchange report, which details how often you have made insurance claims on your car and home. |
| How far back do insurance companies check? | This depends on the insurance company and state regulations. Insurance companies may check the past three to ten years when calculating your premium. In most states, they will only look into the past three years, but it is possible that the company will check further. |
| What happens if my record isn't clean? | If you have several accidents or traffic infractions, you will be deemed a high-risk driver and will have to pay higher premiums. However, once your infractions are older than the lookback period, they will no longer be considered when determining your premium. |
| How do insurance companies check your driving record? | Insurance companies typically check your auto insurance record by accessing information from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or similar government agencies. They will ask for your driver's license number to retrieve this information. |
What You'll Learn
How to check your driving record
To check your driving record, you need to go through your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or state driver’s licensing office. The process for checking your driving record can vary depending on the state you live in, but there are some general steps you can follow:
- Determine which type of driving record you'd like to receive. Different types of driving records may be used for different purposes, such as background checks or court appearances. For example, a residential history record lists your residential driving history, while a certified true copy is a complete driving record designed for official use by government agencies and courts.
- Complete the appropriate application. You may be able to request your driving record online, through the mail, or in person.
- Provide proof of identification, including your Social Security number.
- Pay any applicable fees. The cost of obtaining a driving record can range from $2 to $25, depending on the state and the type of record requested.
It's important to note that you can only request your own driving record through the online system in most states. If you need to request someone else's driving record, you may need to complete a separate form and submit it by mail. Additionally, keep in mind that your driving record may not include any pending charges you have for traffic violations.
Checking your driving record can be useful to verify the information it contains and address any inaccuracies or discrepancies. It can also help you understand how your driving history may impact your car insurance rates, as insurance companies use driving records to assess the risk associated with insuring drivers.
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How your driving record impacts your insurance rates
When you apply for car insurance, the insurance company will check your driving record to assess how much of a risk you are. This is one of the most important factors in determining your insurance premium. The company will want to know how you drive and how responsible you are behind the wheel. Your driving record will give them a good indication of this.
Your driving record includes your personal identification, license information, and any tickets, violations, convictions, fines, accidents, and license suspensions or revocations. Insurance companies will check for a history of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUIs. These driving behaviours increase your risk as a driver, which leads to higher insurance rates.
If you have a history of accidents or serious traffic violations, you will be considered a high-risk driver and will have to pay higher insurance rates. A serious offence, such as a DUI or reckless driving charge, can label you as a high-risk driver and push your premiums up by 30% to 300%. Even a speeding ticket can bump your rates by 20%.
If you have a clean driving record, you may be able to apply for safe driving discounts. However, every accident or speeding ticket will increase your risk level with car insurance companies until they lapse. It is up to the company how far back they look into your records. Most companies look back over the previous three to five years for violations and accidents, but some will go back further.
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When insurance companies will check your driving record
When you apply for auto insurance, insurance companies will check your driving record to assess your risk level. They will look at your driving history, including accidents, claims, and tickets, to determine your behaviour on the road. This information, along with other factors such as your employment status, extra driving courses, and vehicle storage location, will help them categorise you as a high-risk or low-risk driver. This, in turn, will impact your insurance premium.
Insurance companies will typically check your driving record when:
- You are applying for a new insurance policy.
- You are getting a new quote.
- Your car insurance is up for renewal (usually a few weeks before the expiry date).
- You request to change the level of coverage, change your car, or add an extra driver to the same coverage.
- You move, which changes the policy term and risk assessment.
In addition, insurance companies may also check your Claims Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report, which details your insurance claims history on car and home insurance. This helps them predict your future claim risk.
It's important to note that insurance companies don't just check your driving record when you initially apply for insurance. They will also periodically review your record at renewal or if you make changes to your policy. Therefore, it's essential to maintain a clean driving record and drive safely to avoid increases in your insurance premium.
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What insurance companies look for on your driving record
When applying for car insurance, insurance companies will check your driving record to determine your risk level. They will look for any negative marks that may indicate you are a high-risk driver.
Insurance companies will check for a history of:
- Speeding tickets
- At-fault accidents
- Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Driving without a license
- Driving without a seatbelt
- Speeding over a certain limit (e.g., 30 mph over the speed limit)
They will also check your Claims Loss Underwriting Exchange report to see how often you have made insurance claims and help them predict your future claim risk.
The length of time insurance companies will look back into your driving history depends on the state and the company. In most states, they will only look into the past three years, but some companies will check further—up to five or even ten years in some cases.
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How to get cheaper insurance with a bad driving record
Yes, auto insurance companies will check your driving record when you apply for a new policy and at renewal. They will look at your driving history, including accidents, claims, and tickets, to determine your risk level. This information is obtained from your motor vehicle report and Claims Loss Underwriting Exchange report.
If you have a bad driving record, you can still find affordable car insurance by following these steps:
- Compare quotes from different insurers: Not all insurance companies will charge the same rates for high-risk drivers. State Farm, Progressive, American Family, and The General are known for offering affordable rates for drivers with a history of violations.
- Understand your situation: Request a copy of your driving record from your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to know exactly what's on it and how it affects your insurance premiums.
- Reduce your coverage: If you own your car outright, consider reducing or removing your comprehensive and collision coverage. However, this may not be an option if you lease your car or have a car loan, as lenders typically require full coverage insurance.
- Maintain continuous coverage: Gaps in your insurance coverage can lead to higher premiums. Even if you don't currently have a car, consider maintaining a non-owner policy to show insurers that you're committed to maintaining coverage.
- Trade in your vehicle: Insuring a newer vehicle with low mileage and modern safety features can be more expensive. Trading it in for a smaller or less expensive vehicle can help lower your premiums.
- Raise your deductible: Increasing your deductible can keep your insurance premium low, but be aware that you'll have to pay more out-of-pocket in the event of an accident.
- Take advantage of discounts: Many insurance companies offer discounts for completing a defensive driving course or having low mileage. Improving your credit score can also help lower your auto insurance premiums.
- Work on improving your driving record: Avoiding further infractions and demonstrating safe driving habits over time can help reduce the impact of past violations on your insurance rates.
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Frequently asked questions
Insurance companies typically check your driving record by accessing information from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or similar government agencies. They use this information to assess the risk associated with insuring you.
When providers check your driving record, they can usually see traffic violations, accidents, license suspensions or revocations, DUIs, and any other relevant driving-related incidents. Your record may also include details such as the date of the incidents, points on your driver's license, and any restrictions or endorsements on the license.
Insurance companies want to know your driving habits and history to determine your risk level. High-risk drivers are more likely to file claims and pay higher rates.
Insurance companies may run an insurance record check for the past three to ten years when calculating your premium. The more recent and severe violations or accidents you have, the more likely they will affect your rates.
