Rating factors are based on your driving record that insurance companies review to decide if they will ensure you and determine your premiums. By reviewing your driving record, a car insurance company can see what type of risk you pose.

If you have a clean record, it is less risky and will likely result in a safe driver discount and lower rates. Having a moving violation or accident (DUI, speeding) makes you at a higher risk and means higher rates if the company decides to continue with your insurance.

Remember that certain companies will take higher risk driver as potentially uninsurable.

How often does Insurance company check my record?

For an Insurance company, standard practice is to review your driving record is when you initially apply for auto insurance and before the renewal period. At renewal time, your driver record is checked to see if you have any violations now listed that would cause your rates to rise or for policy to be non-renewed. If you apply for coverage, your driving record is checked to see the risk rate for the insurer and to help determine your premium coverage. If you have violations on your driving record that have fallen off, your rates should go down when your policy renews. There are checkups of your driving record when you change coverages, add a vehicle, add or remove drivers.

Will an accident or violation on my driving record raise my rates?

For accidents, it depends on the nature of the accident as well as fault. Minor accidents can be forgiven under state law or by an insurance company, primarily if you are not found to be at fault. If you are found to be at fault for a major accident, your car insurance rate can increase, or you could even get a cancellation of coverage subject to state law. Violations affect your rates because they show you are more of a risk. If you got a minor speeding ticket and had your driving record clean till then, your rates may not go up, but your safe driver discount could be taken away. If you get more significant offenses, you pose as a risk so expect your rates to increase drastically. States like Arizona keeps track of your moving violation. If you violate bail conditions while being charged for moving violations,  points will be assessed to your driving record.

Points stay on your driving record for 12 months.

If you have 8 or more points on your record tour license will be suspended for 12 months, or you will be required to attend traffic survival school.