How Auto Insurance Companies Check Driving Records (2024)
Knowing how auto insurance companies check driving records can help drivers save money. Most companies look back five years when setting insurance rates. One accident can increase auto insurance rates by an average of $80 per month, while one speeding ticket can raise your rates by $45 per month.
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Scott W. Johnson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Scott W Johnson is an independent insurance agent in California. Principal Broker and founder of Marindependent Insurance Services, Scott brings over 25 years of experience to his clients. His Five President’s Council awards prove he uses all he learned at Avocet, Sprint Nextel, and Farmers Insurance to the benefit of his clients. Scott quickly grasped the unique insurance requirements of his...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Sep 11, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Sep 11, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Do insurance companies check your driving record? Yes, and if you have a history of accidents or traffic violations, you’ll have to buy high-risk auto insurance at a more expensive rate.
Insurers check driving records to determine whether you’re a high-risk driver. How auto insurance companies check driving records depends on state law, but most use driver’s license numbers to retrieve information. Enter your ZIP code above to see how your driving record impacts local rates.
Does Progressive check driving records? How often does USAA check driving records? Use this guide to answer these questions and find out what insurance companies are looking for and how to check the accident history of a driver
- Insurance companies check driving records when you apply for a new policy and at renewal
- Accidents and traffic violations are the main red flags that raise insurance rates
- What is considered a clean driving record is no accidents, tickets, or recent claims
How Auto Insurance Companies Check Driving Records
How do insurance companies check driving records? Insurance companies know how to check a driving record with one simple legal identifier: your driver’s license. Any time you have an accident, make an insurance claim, or receive a citation for a traffic violation, your driver’s license number is associated with these events.
Just as creditors can attain information about you through your Social Security number, insurance companies can get the information they require through your driver’s license number.
What do car insurance companies check? Insurance companies want to see your driving habits and how likely you are to make a claim. They will check for a history of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUI/DWIs. Driving behaviors like this increase your risk as a driver, which leads to higher insurance rates.
How far back do insurance companies check for DUI? State laws determine how long insurance companies can look back, but DUI charges stay on your driving record the longest — in some states as long as ten years.
What Insurance Companies Look for on Your Driving Record
Can insurance companies see your driving record? Yes, and they look for any negative marks on your driving record that may indicate you are a high-risk driver.
What driving record do insurance companies look at? Insurers view accidents, excessive insurance claims, and traffic violations as the biggest red flags. If your record check turns up any combination of these factors, your insurer will likely charge you a higher rate.Tim Bain Licensed Insurance Agent
You may be wondering how exactly an insurance company can get this information and how a negative driving record could affect you. Here are the rate increases that you can expect to pay after specific convictions.
Rate Increase Averages Based on Driving Convictions
| Infraction | Annual Rate Increase |
|---|---|
| Careless Driving | 16% |
| Driving Uninsured | 6% |
| Driving Without a License | 18% |
| Driving Without a Seat Belt | 3% |
| DUI | 19% |
| Failure to Stop | 14% |
| Failure to Yield | 9% |
| Improper Passing | 14% |
| Improper Turn | 14% |
| Reckless Driving | 22% |
| Speeding | 12% |
| Speeding 30+ Mph Over the Speed Limit | 15% |
These insurance surcharges affect auto insurance rates, but how much your premiums increase varies from carrier to carrier. Some convictions are considered less serious and come with a lesser penalty than others.
The Difference Between a Clean and Good Driving Record
Do I have a clean driving record? That depends on your driving habits and your insurance company. A clean record typically means that a driver doesn’t have a single violation or claim on their driving record or insurance history, but a good record is a little more flexible.
For instance, while one company might raise your rates by $45 after your first speeding ticket, another provider might not consider your first offense that risky and only raise rates by $20.
This table shows how rates vary at national companies after different offenses:
DUI Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates vs. Clean Record by Provider
| Insurance Company | Clean Record | One DUI |
|---|---|---|
 | $86 | $240 |
 | $160 | $225 |
 | $117 | $176 |
 | $97 | $166 |
 | $139 | $198 |
 | $80 | $132 |
 | $174 | $234 |
 | $115 | $161 |
 | $105 | $186 |
 | $86 | $202 |
 | $112 | $250 |
 | $99 | $239 |
| U.S. Average | $119 | $173 |
State Farm and Geico have the lowest rates after most violations, but American Family doesn’t raise rates nearly as high as other companies after one ticket.
How often does State Farm check driving records? State Farm checks driving history when drivers ask for auto quotes and when existing policyholders renew their coverage. Get a State Farm estimate near you in our State Farm auto insurance review to get the most accurate quotes.
Does Geico check your driving record? Yes, Geico will check your driving and insurance history but it is still one of the cheapest auto insurance companies after most violations. Compare rates in our Geico auto insurance review.
Always compare auto insurance quotes after a traffic citation or claim to see how differently insurance companies interpret a good driving record. Learning how to check your driving record at the DMV can also help you avoid any surprises on your insurance bill.
Read more: Cheap Auto Insurance for a Bad Driving Record
How far back do insurance companies look at your driving record when determining rates?
How often does Geico check your driving record? Most insurance companies check your driving record over the previous three to five years for violations and accidents. How long a speeding ticket affects your auto insurance can vary.
Can insurance companies see your traffic violations? Yes. Unfortunately, a speeding ticket can be even more costly than the fine associated with it. Companies also determine auto insurance rates by age, so let’s look at just how much driving record will affect teen auto insurance rates.
Sports Car Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record
| Insurance Company | Clean Record | One Accident | One Speeding Ticket | One DUI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | $250 | $400 | $320 | $600 |
| Allstate | $222 | $356 | $280 | $520 |
| American Family | $200 | $350 | $250 | $400 |
| Erie | $230 | $380 | $300 | $550 |
| Farmers | $271 | $390 | $320 | $650 |
| Liberty Mutual | $278 | $420 | $350 | $720 |
| Nationwide | $200 | $350 | $250 | $450 |
| Progressive | $280 | $450 | $380 | $700 |
| State Farm | $150 | $300 | $200 | $400 |
| Travelers | $250 | $400 | $320 | $600 |
Just one accident can raise your auto insurance cost by an average of $80 per month, and one speeding ticket can raise your rates by $45 per month.
How far back does State Farm check driving records? That depends on the violation and your state insurance laws. State Farm could look back as few as three years or as many as ten.
Even if you have a traffic violation that’s more than five years old, don’t automatically assume that it won’t be seen. And instead of stressing yourself out with questions like, “How far back does Geico look at your driving record?” or “How far back does Progressive look at your driving record?”, your best bet is to ask the insurance company about their driving record check timeframe.
If you’re curious about what is on your driving record, you can learn how to check driving records for insurance through your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can even get an instant driving record on the DMV website in many states.
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When can car insurance companies deny coverage?
An insurance company can choose to deny you coverage if they determine that you are too big of a risk. While this may seem unfair since most states require insurance to drive a vehicle, insurance companies are not in the business of losing money.
Aside from having too many previous claims or traffic violations, other reasons an insurance company may deny you coverage are:
- Fraudulent claims
- You own a luxury or exotic vehicle
- Providing false information on your insurance application
Can your driving record be checked by your insurance company. Yes, and if the company determines, based on what it finds, that you’re high risk for too many costly claims to be a profitable client, they can refuse to insure you. You will then have to find a cheap auto insurance company for high-risk drivers, which is certainly possible.
In most instances, an insurance company will still offer you coverage even with a negative driving record. Of course, your rates will be higher than someone with a sparkling clean record.Jeffrey Manola Licensed Insurance Agent
In the most extreme circumstances, the insurer is within its right to deny coverage entirely. That’s why learning how to check your accident history before requesting auto insurance quotes can save you time and money.
Maintain a Clean Record and Don’t Sweat Driving Record Checks
Just as employers perform background checks on potential employees, auto insurance companies check driving records to determine whether you are a high-risk driver. Poor driving history can cause a lot of anxiety when you know an insurance company is going to check your record. That’s why it’s important to maintain a clean driving record.
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— AutoInsurance.org (@AutoInsurance) March 21, 2023
Sometimes accidents happen through no fault of your own, and an isolated accident isn’t going to destroy your record. It’s the accumulation of multiple accidents, claims, and traffic violations that can make an impact.
Bottom Line on How Auto Insurance Companies Check Driving Records
Do insurance companies check your license? Yes. How auto insurance companies check driving records is the same across most states since your driver’s license number contains all the information insurers need to determine your risk.
So, if you’re ever wondering, “How do insurance companies find out about tickets?”, it’s through your driver’s license number. And if you have accidents or speeding tickets on your record, your auto insurance rates will go up.
All hope is not lost if you already have a record with more negative marks than you’d like to admit. You can rebuild your record by driving carefully to avoid accidents and traffic violations. You can also take defensive driving classes or sign up for cheap usage-based auto insurance for lower rates.
How far back does Allstate look at your driving record? Most insurance companies only look back three to five years.
In the meantime, you can compare auto insurance quotes from various companies to see which can offer the best rate and coverage for high-risk insurance. Some are more forgiving than others regarding negative driving records, so it pays to shop around.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do insurance companies check your driving record?
Auto insurance companies typically check your auto insurance record by accessing information from various sources, including the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or similar government agencies. They use this information to assess the risk associated with insuring you. The specific methods of checking driving records may vary among insurance companies, but common practices include electronic data exchange with the DMV, requesting driving record reports, and utilizing specialized databases.
Do insurance companies need your driving license number?
Yes, most insurance companies will ask for your drivers license number to check your driving record through the DMV. They will likely ask for it when you request quotes online or when you buy a policy.
How often do insurance companies check driving records?
Insurance companies won’t check your driving record on a whim. Providers only check your driving history for insurance when necessary, primarily when you get a quote for a new policy or renew your existing policy every six or 12 months.
What can insurance companies see on your driving record?
When providers check your car insurance, they can typically see traffic violations, accidents, license suspensions or revocations, DUIs, and any other relevant driving-related incidents. Your insurance record may also include details such as the date of the incidents, points on the driver’s license, and any restrictions or endorsements on the license.
Why do auto insurance companies want to track my driving record and insurance history?
Insurance companies want to know your driving habits and history to determine your risk. High-risk drivers are more likely to file claims and pay higher rates.
What do auto insurance companies do with driving data?
Car insurance companies use driver data to determine rates based on driving habits and accident and claim statistics in the area.
Can auto insurance companies access my car insurance record from another state?
Yes, insurance companies can access driving records from other states. They have the ability to request driving record information from the relevant DMV or motor vehicle agencies in different states to gather a comprehensive picture of your driving history. This allows them to assess your risk profile accurately.
How long does my car insurance driving record affect auto insurance rates?
The impact of driving records for insurance can vary depending on the insurance company and state regulations. 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.
How far back can insurance companies check driving records?
Generally, violations and accidents remain on your insurance driving record for a certain period set by state law, typically ranging from three to five years.
Do all insurance companies check your driving record?
Yes, every insurance provider will check your car insurance driving history and number of claims to set rates.
Can I check my own driving record?
Yes, in most cases, how to check your car insurance record is by requesting a copy of your driving record from the DMV or the relevant motor vehicle agency in your state. The process for obtaining a driving record may vary depending on your location, but it typically involves submitting a request form, providing identification, and paying a fee. Regular car insurance record checks allow you to verify the information it contains and address any inaccuracies or discrepancies.
I’m in the military, how far back does USAA look at your driving record?
How far USAA looks back at your driving history depends on the laws in the state where you’re licensed. Most companies can only look back three to five years per state law.
Do insurance companies check your driving record at renewal?
Yes, this is the most common time for insurance companies to check your driving record.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Scott W. Johnson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Scott W Johnson is an independent insurance agent in California. Principal Broker and founder of Marindependent Insurance Services, Scott brings over 25 years of experience to his clients. His Five President’s Council awards prove he uses all he learned at Avocet, Sprint Nextel, and Farmers Insurance to the benefit of his clients. Scott quickly grasped the unique insurance requirements of his...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.