How Long Do Accidents Stay on Your Driving Record?

Having an auto accident can be extremely stressful. After all, a wreck is a scary experience. You might get injured and sustain damage to your car.

Being involved in an accident can also impact the amount you pay for car insurance because your insurance company might now consider you a higher risk. So, you might be wondering, how long do accidents stay on your driving record?

This article takes a look at how and why accidents result in higher insurance costs. Keep reading to discover insight into how to reduce the amount you pay for auto insurance coverage.

Minor Accidents

When it comes to auto accidents and insurance, one of the biggest factors is the type of wreck you were involved in.

If this was your first accident, your insurance provider should certainly take this into consideration before raising rates. This is especially true if you have a long history of safe driving.

Keep in mind that once you’ve end involved in numerous accidents or received numerous tickets, your auto premium will certainly increase.

The important thing to remember is that most insurance companies offer Accident Forgiveness for minor accidents when you have a safe driving record, thus you shouldn’t see an increase in the cost of your premiums.

At-Fault Accidents

The next thing to consider is at-fault accidents. If you were at-fault in a minor accident, your premiums will likely increase for six years or less. This includes drivers who are involved in single-car accidents.

Drivers involved in multiple at-fault accidents with a six-year period will likely see a substantial rise in the amount they pay for auto insurance.

A good car wreck lawyer can help you understand your rights after an accident.

Not-At-Fault Accidents

Believe it or not, even if an accident wasn’t your fault, you might still see an increase in your auto insurance premiums.

This depends on the type of auto policy you hold and the particular insurance company. It will also depend on the severity of the damage and the various factors the insurance company uses to determine the price of premiums.

Comprehensive Claims

Comprehensive claims can include such variable as a tree branch falling on your car, or your car being damaged by a neighbors baseball.

In these types of cases, the insurance company will likely pay for the repair without raising rates.

The key is to read your policy so that you have an educated knowledge of what is covered before an accident occurs.

Keeping Your Insurance Premiums Low

There are a few things you can do to keep your premiums as low as possible.

First, raise your deductible. For example, raising a deductible from $1,000 to $3,000 can help lower the cost of your monthly premium.

Next, check your driving record on a regular basis. This way if you notice that an accident has dropped off, you can request to have your premiums lowered accordingly.

You could also request a discount for having multiple policies with the same company.