Do insurers check convictions?

Question

Car insurance points are how insurance companies grade each customer’s risk as a driver. Major auto insurance companies assign points based on certain behaviors by the driver, like filing accident claims or getting a speeding ticket. The points, in turn, help the insurance companies decide how much to charge drivers for a policy. The more points a driver has, the more they are likely to cost the insurance company, and the more they will have to pay for coverage as a result.... read full answer

Auto insurance points are not the same as driver’s license points, though there is a lot of overlap between them. In 41 of the 50 states, the department of motor vehicles assigns and tracks license points. You get points for different traffic violations, such as speeding or driving under the influence. Once you cross the state’s limit for license points, your license gets suspended. The other nine states also keep track of traffic violations to determine when to suspend a driver’s license, but they do not assign a point value to each violation.

One of the biggest differences between insurance points and license points is that insurance companies track more than just traffic violations. They also take your insurance claims and accidents into account. If you file a claim for any type of accident, you’ll probably pay more for your next insurance policy. Even a one-car accident (from accidentally hitting a mailbox or a deer) has the potential to raise your insurance costs.

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Answer 1 · 2020-09-15 13:40:07

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@WalletHub • 09/15/20 This answer was first published on 09/15/20. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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Yes, insurers check for driving-related convictions. Non-driving related convictions, on the other hand, will only affect premium rates indirectly. Companies view your driving record to determine how risky you will be to insure, so they will see convictions like DUI or reckless driving. If you’ve been convicted of a serious driving offense, expect to pay more for insurance and have a harder time finding coverage. DUI or similar charges will stay on your record for three to 10 years in most states, and even longer in some.

A non-driving conviction can affect your car insurance premium indirectly if it impacts your driver’s license status or a leads to a lapse in your insurance coverage. If your license was suspended as a result of your crime or your insurance coverage has not been continuous, insurance companies will consider you more of a high-risk driver.

The best approach if you’re worried about your previous convictions is to compare quotes. If you’re having trouble finding an insurer willing to take you, you can look in your area for high-risk insurers, also called nonstandard insurance companies. Or, if you have been turned down multiple times, look into your state’s assigned risk program, which is designed to provide high-risk drivers with the mandatory minimum insurance. In any case, if an insurance application asks about your criminal background or driving record, be honest. Any omission or false information on an application qualifies as insurance fraud, which can lead to retroactively higher premiums, denied claims, fines, or even jail time.

Finally, it’s a good idea to check your state’s laws to see when your convictions will no longer be considered. This will enable you to ask for a new quote when you reach this date.

Do insurers check convictions?

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