How Does My Driving History Affect My Insurance Rates?

Last Updated on December 11, 2025

Your driving history says a lot about you—and insurance companies pay close attention. If you’re a safe, responsible driver with a clean record, your insurance rates will reflect that. But if you have a history of accidents, violations, or reckless behavior, insurers will consider you a high-risk driver, charge higher premiums, or even deny coverage altogether.

Auto insurance pricing is built on one principle: risk prediction. Insurers assume your past behavior is one of the strongest indicators of your future behavior. A clean driving record shows good judgment. A history of violations shows elevated risk. Below, we break down exactly how your driving history affects your premiums and how long violations stay on your record.

Key Takeaways

• Your driving history is one of the biggest factors insurers use to determine your rates.
• Most violations and accidents stay on your record for 3–5 years and raise your premiums.
• DUIs cause the steepest increases and make finding coverage more difficult.
• Checking your driving record regularly helps prevent errors that can inflate your rates.

Determining the Amount You’ll Pay for Car Insurance

Insurance companies look at a variety of underwriting factors when determining your premiums. These include your age, location, gender, credit score, vehicle type, and—most importantly—your driving history.

Certain groups are automatically considered higher risk. For example:

• Teen drivers almost always pay higher-than-average rates because they lack experience.
• Drivers with traffic violations or recent accidents are placed in higher-risk categories.
• A single at-fault crash or speeding ticket can sometimes double your premium, depending on your insurer.

This is why maintaining a clean driving record is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your rates low.

How Long Do Violations and Accidents Affect Insurance Rates?

Most accidents and moving violations will impact your insurance premiums for three to five years. The exact timeframe depends on your state and your insurer’s policies.

Some companies offer accident forgiveness or may overlook a first minor speeding ticket. However, many insurers will increase your premiums after:

• A major moving violation
• A DUI/DWI
• An at-fault accident

Once the 3–5 year rating period expires—and assuming no additional violations occur—your premiums should begin to drop. Keep in mind, though, that insurers still track these incidents, and they may share this information with other insurance companies.

DMV Points and Your Driving History

Many states use point systems to track driving violations. Serious offenses carry more points; too many points can lead to a license suspension or revocation. Points also increase your perceived risk to insurers.

Fortunately, in many states there are ways to reduce or remove points:

• Completing a defensive driving or traffic school course
• Maintaining a violation-free year (varies by state)
• Waiting for older points to fall off automatically

Click here to see point-removal options in every state.

DWI or DUI? Expect a Major Rate Increase

A DUI/DWI conviction is one of the most serious red flags on a driving record. Premiums can skyrocket, and many insurers will refuse to renew your policy. If you’re dropped by your carrier, you may need to turn to a high-risk insurer or your state’s assigned-risk pool.

Because DUIs indicate extremely risky behavior, insurers often raise premiums by 50% to 300% depending on the state and circumstances. A DUI will also stay on your driving and insurance record for several years—and sometimes permanently for certain types of underwriting.

Needless to say, a DUI will cause a major rate increase and make it much harder to find affordable coverage.

Speeding Tickets and Insurance Rates

Speeding is one of the most common moving violations—and one of the most dangerous. According to the NHTSA, nearly one-third of traffic fatalities involve speeding.

However, one isolated speeding ticket usually won’t destroy your insurance rates. Many insurers will forgive your first violation, and others may raise your rates only slightly. On average:

A single speeding ticket increases rates by 5–10%.

But multiple speeding tickets paint a different picture. Repeated violations tell insurers you’re consistently engaging in risky behavior—leading to much higher premiums.

Car Accidents and Insurance Premiums

A single collision—especially an at-fault one—can significantly impact your insurance rates. Even accidents where you weren’t at fault may affect you, depending on your insurer and claims history.

Accidents typically remain on your driving record for 3–5 years. The premium increase depends on several factors:

• Severity of the accident
• Cost of the claim
• Whether you were at fault
• Your prior driving history

Some insurers may raise your premium 15% for a minor at-fault accident, while others increase rates by 50% or more. For young drivers, the financial impact is far greater. Teens with even one at-fault crash may struggle to find affordable insurance.

Keeping Track of Your Driving Record

Because your driving record has such a strong influence on your premiums, it’s important to monitor it regularly.

You should:

• Check your driving record for accuracy before renewing your policy
• Review it when shopping for new quotes
• Correct errors immediately with your local DMV

DMVs occasionally leave old violations on your record or incorrectly assign points. These mistakes can cost you hundreds of dollars per year in unnecessary premium increases.

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