Your driving record impacts your insurance rates directly. We get lots of questions about driving records like “When will my tickets fall off?” “How long does an accident stay on my record?” “My lawyer took care of it, why’s it still on my record?” “Why would an accident that wasn’t my fault be on my record?” Friends may say, don’t tell them what you’ve got but that isn’t sound advice.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or double checking your current rates to see if you can do better, when you’re asked about your driving record, just be honest. For one, some carriers don’t take certain things like DWI, or excessive speeds, multiple towing claims or SR22s but some don’t care. Some car insurance companies go back three years, some go back five. Some carriers count not-at-fault accidents, some don’t. Some look back ten years on major violations. Why waste your time planning on a specific rate that’ll disappoint you later because you don’t qualify? Agents are people too and can only work with the information you provide.
Your relationship with your agent begins at the quote and might as well start out honestly so he/she can really help you. Some companies don’t count not-at-fault accidents but the fact that they happened can knock you out of a better rate because of things like accident-free discounts. As a side note, did you know that some companies count towing & labor or roadside usage as a claim? We always search for the best rates we can find for our clients so knowing what is on your record is very helpful in our searching. Typically for quotes, all the background reports are not run till the policy is to be uploaded. Not disclosing everything could end up costing more in the long term than searching for the best rate for your actual experience.
Remember, when getting car insurance, you’re asking an insurance company to take on some of the risk for you if you’re involved in an accident. They use this info to determine your rate/assess your risk. If you are not open in the quoting process, insurers wonder what else you won’t be honest about. Instead, disclose what you’ve got and let your agent find the best option for you. The company is going to check anyway. By the way, some car insurance companies do some deeper digging after the policy is written. What if their motor vehicle records/accident system is down? These are scenarios that would allow them to increase your rate after the fact; unfortunately, they do happen on occasion.
It’s better to provide accurate information up front. If you are unsure about your driving record, visit your local DMV and request a copy of it. Remember, online quote forms for auto insurance are just that, a quote. They are an estimate based on the information you gave. The true price to you only occurs when the auto insurance provider verifies that information against official records. It’s important to remember that car insurance is a financial investment with a legally binding contract. Go into it honestly or, in a worse case scenario, you may find you do not have coverage when you need to file a claim for your losses.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Solo Insurance® where great rates and service meet. We shop the rates for you upfront and at renewals, always making sure you are with our best rate for your insurance needs. Great car insurance at cheap car insurance rates.
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thesoloins.
Solo Insurance® 800-207-7656 Get a Quote: https://www.soloinsurance.net/
– Veteran/Family owned since 1994 –