How can I check my driving record in Pennsylvania?

Drivers in Pennsylvania need $15,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per person (up to $30,000 per accident) and $5,000 of property damage liability insurance. Collision, comprehensive and gap insurance may also be required by a lender or lessor if your vehicle is financed.

In addition, an optional but recommended type of coverage in Pennsylvania is ... read full answeruninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. It replaces the liability coverage an at-fault driver should’ve had and pays for your costs up to your policy limits.

Here’s How Much Car Insurance Drivers Need in Pennsylvania:

If you lease or finance your car, you may be required to carry coverage types that are not mandatory under Pennsylvania law. Lenders or lessors usually require comprehensive and collision insurance. Collision insurance covers repairs to your car when you hit another car or object. If the damage to your vehicle was caused by something other than a collision—like a natural disaster, vandalism, falling objects, or animals—it is most likely covered by comprehensive insurance. Lenders may also require gap insurance, which covers the difference between what you owe on your loan or lease and what the vehicle is worth if it has been stolen or totaled.

Even if you’re not required to carry these optional coverage types, you may still need them. You can learn more about when to drop optional coverage and the penalties for driving without insurance in Pennsylvania to make sure you’re paying for the coverage you need.

No. There are no auto insurance companies that don’t check your driving record. Most auto insurance companies check your driving record for the past 3 years when you submit your application for coverage, and some check your driving record as far back as 7-10 years.

When Auto Insurance Companies Check Your Driving Record... read full answer

Auto insurance companies generally do not check your driving record just to give you a simple quote, with no obligation to buy. It costs money to check someone’s official driving record, so the agent (or online tool) will initially generate a quote for your car insurance coverage based on the driving history you submit. Once you accept the quote and commit to move forward, an underwriter from the insurance company will check your actual driving record to make sure the quote is valid.

It’s also common practice for auto insurance companies to check your driving record when it’s time to renew your policy, generally every 6 or 12 months. They will typically run a check on your driving record about 45 days before a policy is going to expire.

If you’ve received any new tickets or gotten into an accident since the policy began, you may be required to pay a higher rate. However, if you’ve been with a company for a long time and maintained a clean driving record, the insurer may choose to forgo continuously checking your driving record due to the cost.

Best Insurance Companies for Bad Driving Record

Even though there are no insurance companies that don't check driving records, there are some national insurance companies, like Geico and Progressive, that offer great insurance options for bad drivers, including those who need an SR-22 or FR-44. Other companies, such as The General and Dairyland, specialize in nonstandard insurance.

Know What’s In Your Driving Record

Since there are no auto insurance companies that do not check your driving record, knowing what an insurer might find out beforehand could be key to helping you get the cheapest insurance rate. For example, it’s helpful to know if an old traffic violation is going to fall off your record soon, as that may be a good time to shop around for a better auto insurance rate.

On the other hand, if you’ve accumulated several points on your license recently, you may want to take a defensive driving class to help prevent your insurance rate from going up or having your coverage canceled. Also, if your motor vehicle record is so bad that your driver’s license is suspended or revoked, your policy could be canceled or you could be prevented from getting auto insurance altogether until your license is reinstated.

To get ahead of what an insurance provider might find in your driving history, you can request a copy of your official driving record from the department of motor vehicles for each state in which you’ve held a valid driver’s license. Keep in mind that each state has its own rules about how long it keeps personal driving history records and how you should request those records.

Another source of useful information regarding your driving record is a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report, which offers a detailed history of claims you’ve made through insurance providers. With your CLUE report, you can dispute errors and have a clear idea of what insurance companies will be reviewing.

To get auto insurance with a bad driving record, compare quotes and purchase a high-risk car insurance policy. Some national insurance companies, like Geico and Progressive, offer great insurance options for bad drivers, including those who need an SR-22 or FR-44, and other companies – such as The General and Dairyland – specialize in ... read full answernonstandard insurance.

1. Look for a high-risk policy

High-risk policies are designed for drivers who are more likely than the average driver to file a claim, and they're usually more expensive than normal policies. Although the specifics of your driving record will affect your coverage options, you should be able to find a policy that works for you from one of the many companies that offer insurance to bad drivers.

2. Compare quotes to find affordable coverage

Since a high-risk policy can cost between $1,800 and $3,300 annually, you might need to temporarily get a basic policy that offers a low level of coverage while you work to improve your driving record. The more coverage you add, the more a car insurance policy is likely to cost.

3. Consider coverage options provided by your state

If a bad driving record is preventing you from getting coverage, you should consider joining your state’s assigned risk pool, where you’ll be assigned to an insurance company and given the minimum coverage required by state law.

Most insurance companies only take the last two to three years of your driving record into account when determining your premium, so if you’re able to practice good habits for long enough, you’ll eventually be able to get a better deal.