Driving record is the rating factor drivers can actually control after the fact. On a non-owner policy, where there is no vehicle to discount, the record carries more weight — a single at-fault accident can add more than every discount combined.
Minor violations
A single speeding ticket adds 10–20% in most states and stays on the record for three years. Two tickets in the same period can add 30–45%, and three can push a driver into a non-standard tier.
Some carriers offer a forgiveness feature: a first minor violation does not affect the premium at renewal. It is worth asking about, because it costs nothing and covers the most common event.
At-fault accidents
An at-fault accident with a claim payment adds 30–45% for three years in most states. If the payout is small — a $900 bumper repair — the surcharge often costs more than the claim, which is why paying minor damage personally is sometimes rational.
A not-at-fault accident or a comprehensive claim (theft, weather, animal strike) usually does not carry a surcharge, though it may affect a “claims-free” discount.
| Event | Typical surcharge | Years on record |
|---|---|---|
| One minor ticket | +10–20% | 3 |
| Two minor tickets | +30–45% | 3 |
| At-fault accident | +30–45% | 3 |
| DUI | +70–120% | 5–10 |
| Driving while suspended | +40–80% | 3–5 |
| Not-at-fault accident | 0% | Not rated |
DUI and serious convictions
A DUI adds 70–120% and stays on the record for five to ten years depending on the state. It also triggers an SR-22 requirement in most states, which further narrows the carrier pool and adds filing costs.
Reckless driving and driving while suspended are treated similarly. Hit-and-run and vehicular assault usually make a driver uninsurable in the standard market.
How the surcharge timeline works
Surcharges are applied at renewal and drop off after the state’s lookback period — commonly three years for minor violations, five for major. Because the record is checked at renewal, the premium does not fall automatically on the anniversary of the incident.
Ask the insurer to confirm the exact date the violation leaves the record, then request a re-rate after it does.
Reducing the load
A defensive driving course removes or reduces points in many states and earns a 5–10% discount. In some states, completing the course can also satisfy a ticket dismissal requirement. Telematics is the other lever, where the carrier offers it.
- A single ticket typically adds 10–20%; two can add 45%.
- At-fault accidents usually carry a three-year surcharge.
- DUIs add 70–120% and often require an SR-22.
- Surcharges do not expire automatically — request a re-rate.
If a collision causes $800 of damage and your deductible is $500, the insurer pays $300 and charges a three-year surcharge worth several hundred dollars. Run the numbers before filing.
Key takeaways
- Driving record is the most controllable rating factor.
- Minor violations add 10–20%; serious ones add 70%+.
- Surcharges last three years for minor events, longer for DUI.
- Defensive driving courses reduce both points and premium.
