Your driving record is one of the most heavily weighted factors insurers use to set your premium, since it’s viewed as a direct predictor of future risk. A single speeding ticket can raise your rate noticeably, while an at-fault accident or a DUI can increase it far more significantly, sometimes for several years before it drops off your record. On the other hand, a clean driving history for several consecutive years typically qualifies you for loyalty or safe-driver discounts that lower your premium over time. You can see roughly how much a violation might affect your own rate using our car insurance calculator.
If your record isn’t perfect, it doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a high premium indefinitely — most insurers gradually reduce the impact of a violation as time passes, and some offer defensive driving courses that can shave a percentage off your rate. It’s also worth comparing quotes across insurers, since companies weigh driving history differently, and checking how your coverage level interacts with your record, covered in full coverage vs. liability insurance, can help you find savings elsewhere in your policy.