How Long Do Tickets and Accidents Affect Insurance?

Traffic violations and accidents can significantly impact auto insurance premiums. This article will explain how long tickets and accidents typically affect your insurance, the factors that influence this duration, and how to access your driving and claims history reports.

Typical Duration of Insurance Impact for Violations and Accidents

The period during which a traffic violation or accident affects your car insurance rates is not uniform, but common ranges exist for various types of incidents.

Minor moving violations, such as a speeding ticket for a few miles over the limit, generally impact insurance premiums for approximately three to five years. This timeframe often aligns with how long insurance companies typically consider such incidents when calculating rates.

More severe infractions, including reckless driving or driving under the influence (DUI/DWI), have a longer effect on insurance costs. While the incident might remain on an official driving record for five to ten years, or even permanently in some states, its impact on insurance rates usually spans three to five years. Insurers perceive these violations as indicators of higher risk, leading to substantial premium increases during this period.

At-fault accidents typically influence insurance rates for about three to five years. Insurance companies factor these accidents into their risk assessments, as they suggest a higher likelihood of future claims. Conversely, not-at-fault accidents usually do not affect rates in the same way.

Key Factors Influencing Impact Duration

Several elements determine how long a traffic violation or accident affects your auto insurance premiums. State regulations play a significant role, as each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) maintains rules regarding how long violations stay on a public driving record. Many states also operate a points system, where infractions add points to a driver’s license, influencing both license status and insurance rates.

The severity of the incident is another important factor. Minor infractions, such as non-moving violations like parking tickets, have little impact on insurance rates. In contrast, major moving violations or at-fault accidents signal a greater risk to insurers, resulting in more significant and prolonged premium increases.

While state laws dictate record keeping, individual insurance companies maintain their own underwriting guidelines and risk assessment models. These internal policies determine how long an insurer will factor an incident into premium calculations, often reviewing driving records at each policy renewal. The presence of multiple incidents, even if minor, can also extend the period of increased premiums. A history of repeated violations signals a pattern of risky behavior, which insurers view as a higher probability of future claims.

Accessing Your Driving Record and Claims History

Understanding what information insurance companies see is important for drivers. One primary source is your official driving record, also known as a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR), which can be requested from your state’s DMV. This report details your driving history, including traffic violations, accidents, and any license suspensions. Accessing this record often involves an online portal, mail request, or an in-person visit to the agency.

Another crucial report is the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report. This report provides a detailed history of auto insurance claims, covering a seven-year period. It includes information such as the policyholder’s name, date of birth, policy number, type and date of loss, and the amount paid on claims.

You can obtain a free copy of your CLUE report once every twelve months through LexisNexis. Reviewing both your driving record and CLUE report provides a comprehensive view of the information insurers use when assessing your risk and calculating premiums.