Car accidents can be stressful and sometimes life-altering. Aside from the shock of an accident itself, there's also the process of insurance, paperwork, and police reports to deal with. Depending on your insurance company, your state's regulations, and the severity of the accident, a single accident may impact your insurance rates for about five years. Understanding how accident reporting works can offer perspective on how long accidents can linger on a driving record.
Key Takeaways
- Having an accident on your driving record can affect your car insurance rates and what you pay for premiums.
- In general, your car insurance company does not report accidents to the DMV.
- Many states have laws that require the police—or you—to file a report with the DMV; one must always be filed if someone is injured or killed in a collision.
- The main reason why an insurance company communicates with the DMV about your driving history is if your insurance lapses, does not meet certain standards, or if you are convicted of a serious driving offense, such as a DUI.
How Long Accidents Stay on a Driving Record
When you're involved in a car accident, whether you're at fault or not, it can be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. The accident then becomes part of your driving record. Which state you live in can determine how long an accident remains on your record.
Here are some examples of how long states maintain accident records for drivers:
- California: Three years from the date of the accident
- New York: Three years from the end of the year in which the accident occurred
- New Hampshire: Five years from the date of the accident
- Oregon: At least five years
As you can see, the typical length of time an accident can remain on your record is three to five years. But it's important to check the driving record requirements in your state as they may be different.
How Does a Car Accident Affect Insurance?
In terms of how a car accident can affect your car insurance rates, it typically depends on several things including:
- The seriousness of the accident
- Who was at fault
- What type of driving violation you were charged with, if any
- Your age
- Prior driving record
- Where you live
Your insurance company can also determine what you'll pay, as every insurer rates accidents differently. Though it can be difficult to predict an exact increase amount, it's safe to assume that you can expect to pay more for insurance going forward if you're involved in a car accident.
Note
The time frame for how long other driving violations can remain on your record, such as speeding tickets or DUI convictions, may differ from the time frame for accident reporting.
When Car Accidents Must Be Reported
In many states, a DMV report is required following any accident that you are involved in, regardless of who is at fault. This requirement is often subject to a property damage threshold that dictates which collisions are accidents that require reporting and which are simply "fender-benders."
For example, in New York, all drivers involved in collisions that cause at least $1,000 in collective property damage, or collisions in which someone was injured or killed in the accident are required to report the accident to the DMV. Reports must be filed within 10 days of the date of the accident.
If someone is injured or killed in a collision, it must be reported to the DMV regardless of your state of residence. In most cases, accidents that meet your state's reporting criteria require the aid of the police or other emergency services. When the police are involved, they are required to make a DMV report. Your state may require you to submit a report first if the police cannot do so in a timely manner.
If the accident doesn't meet the requirements to report, the accident is not severe enough to require the aid of emergency personnel, and there is no police report made, the DMV will usually not be aware of the incident, even if you make a claim on your insurance. However, having a police report certainly helps when making a claim, as the police report contains detailed information about the accident.
When an insurance company investigates an accident, it uses a police report to determine who is at fault and how to proceed with the claim, so make sure it's accurate.
Does Your Car Insurance Company Report Accidents to the DMV?
In most cases, your car insurance company does not report accidents to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). However, depending on your state of residence, either you or the police are probably required to file a report with the DMV, regardless of whether your insurance company gets involved.
In addition, your insurance contract likely requires you to alert your insurance company about any collision you are involved in, even if you do not make a claim.
The primary reason your insurance company would notify the DMV about your driving activity is if your insurance does not meet certain standards. In the United States, drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, even if they do not carry insurance to cover damage to their own vehicles.
If you allow your insurance policy to lapse, your car insurance company notifies the DMV, which may suspend or revoke your license until you are fully insured.
How to Get Insured With an Accident on Your Record
If you have an accident on your driving record, you can still buy car insurance, barring extreme cases. However, you'll pay higher premiums and in some cases could have limited options as well.
When searching for car insurance after an accident, consider the seriousness of the accident, who was at fault, and your previous driving record. If this is your first accident, it shouldn't be difficult to find coverage with a new insurer or renew your current policy when the term ends. Taking time to shop around and compare the best car insurance companies can help you find a policy that fits your needs and budget without sending your premiums skyrocketing.
On the other hand, if you are convicted of a serious driving offense, such as driving while under the influence, you may have fewer options. Your insurance company can, however, file a Statement of Responsibility, or SR-22, with the DMV. The SR-22 proves that you carry the minimum necessary insurance required by your state. Keep in mind that not all insurance companies offer the option of filing an SR-22, and most do not insure drivers who have lost their driving privileges.
How Do I Remove an Accident From My Driving Record?
Whether or not you can remove an accident from your driving record will depend on a few items and can vary from state to state. Primarily, you'd have to prove that the accident was not your fault, if your insurance company only paid below a certain amount, and if there were no injuries.
Do All Accidents Show Up on Your Driving Record?
Yes, all reported accidents will show up on your driving record. This includes accidents reported by the police or other drivers. If an accident is not reported, then it will not show up on your driving record.
What Can Car Insurance Companies See on Your Driving Record?
Insurance companies can see pretty much everything related to your driving history on your driving record. This includes accidents, all traffic violations such as speeding tickets or crossing red lights, DUIs/DWIs, and more.
The Bottom Line
A car accident can impact your driving record, car insurance rates, and potentially future car insurance needs. Be sure to shop around at least once a year to see if your rates might improve as the accident record ages. Depending on the circ*mstance, it can be reported to the DMV and may stay on your record for three to five years. The effects of a car accident on your driving record vary by state, so make sure to review the requirements based on where you live.
