Your Driving Record and Automobile Insurance
By: David Schneider, Car Insurance Expert
CheaperCarInsurance.com
Do you know the status of your driving record? It could give you a little information about the rate you’re paying on your automobile insurance. Anything that goes on your driving record, such as traffic violations, could affect your insurance rates.
There are point values on different violations that go on your driving record, for instance:
- Running a red light
- Parking violations
- Charged with DUI or DWI
- Accidents that you’re found guilty for
Each violation has a point value that varies from state to state. This value, according to the offense you are charged with, goes on your driving record. The purpose of this point system is to identify reckless drivers and try to prevent them from racking up too many points (eventually they will lose their license if they keep up the bad behavior); however, automobile insurance companies can also use them to increase your rates. So if you have a poor driving record, say from a number of traffic tickets, you could be paying a hefty premium.
How Automobile Insurance Companies Account for Points
Unlike your favorite board game, there is no advantage in collecting these types of points. In fact, the higher your points are on your driving record, the more you could be paying on automobile insurance. As each state accounts for points differently, you would need to check with your state’s department of insurance to understand how your state’s point system works.
Each state has a point system for driving infractions. Let’s take California for example. If you get a traffic ticket for a minor infraction, you would have one point placed on your driving record. Some states will add an additional point for each time you have a minor infraction. The point value does increase for more serious misdemeanors. Not only could you end up paying much more than you expected for your automobile insurance, you could also risk having your license suspended or worse.
Each time you renew your automobile insurance, you can expect them to check your driving record. A rating factor is used to determine whether your rate will be higher or lower depending on the point value. Your rate could go up by as much as 26% for a major violation. The insurance company could even drop you if you have acquired enough points on your record.
A few examples of penalties for traffic violations in California. Courtesy of the State of California
Avoid Accumulating Points to Save on Your Automobile Insurance
The best way to avoid acquiring points on your driving record is to abide by all traffic laws. However, there are a few ways to clear or reduce points from your record to avoid paying more on your automobile insurance.
- Points will be deducted and cleared from your record over time
- Check your driving record to correct any errors
- Attend traffic school
- Contact a lawyer who specializes in traffic tickets
Within time, points will be cleared from your driving record. It may take up to three years to clear minor violations with a point value of one. Not showing up in court for a traffic violation may stay on your record for up to five years. Furthermore, it can take up to ten years to clear points for not showing up in court for DUI.
It’s important to check your driving record for any mistakes to avoid paying more for your automobile insurance due to inaccuracies. You want to be sure your license is valid as well.
You could possibly avoid having points added to your record for a minor traffic violation if you take a traffic course. You may even find it will improve your awareness for safety and traffic laws. A traffic course, however, will not clear points for a major infraction.
If you have an accumulation of points on your record, hiring a skilled attorney could help in bringing down the cost on your automobile insurance. Ultimately you want to prevent acquiring points to begin with, so always drive safely.
Posted: January 26, 2010
