DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) is the authorized organization to give those points to drivers who are responsible for the illegal act. Major violations are awarded with higher points, yet the rules or point system may differ from state to state. In most states, the maximum point is 11, which can be an accumulation of some minor violations. Some major offenses, however, simply bypass points and therefore suspend your driver license. Any violation and the resulting point will be documented in your driving record. Insurance companies use such record as a reference when estimating the insurance fees.
The actual purpose of this point system is to help identify reckless drivers and penalize them according to the amount of point. Nevertheless, auto insurance companies use your driving record as a strong reference before they can sell any of their policies to you. Insurers can easily see your driving record and use it to determine the insurance rates. If you have poor driving history due to minor or major violations, the companies will more likely to charge higher rates. Even when you live in a particular state or region that does not implement point system, any violation of traffic law will still be well-documented by DMV; this will include speeding, reckless driving, DUI (Driving Under Influence) or drunk driving, etc.
It is worth mentioning that insurance companies check your driving record mostly when you apply for new insurance policies. There are also indeed some companies that do the same procedure for every renewal, but it rarely happens. In most cases, any history of traffic law violation and the point will stay on your record for three to five years. When you are already insured and apply for renewal, minor violations are often considered insignificance by insurance companies that they do not charge for more rates. However, major offenses causing considerable damages will most likely show up.
How to reduce driving record points?
If you're applying or switching to new insurer, the companies will check your driving history to at least 3 years back. If there is any minor violation in the record, the car insurance company may increase the premium fee by up to 15 percent. Fortunately there are some ways for you to avoid the increase including by taking defensive driving course or simply wait it out. If defensive driving course option is available, please check with the DMV to see the related information. In some states, the certification is only valid if issued by approved by certain organizations or schools. The easiest is of course to simply wait until the record is clear. It may take 3 to 5 years depending on the regulation in your state. However, it is not recommended since you may end up driving without proper insurance coverage.
The actual purpose of this point system is to help identify reckless drivers and penalize them according to the amount of point. Nevertheless, auto insurance companies use your driving record as a strong reference before they can sell any of their policies to you. Insurers can easily see your driving record and use it to determine the insurance rates. If you have poor driving history due to minor or major violations, the companies will more likely to charge higher rates. Even when you live in a particular state or region that does not implement point system, any violation of traffic law will still be well-documented by DMV; this will include speeding, reckless driving, DUI (Driving Under Influence) or drunk driving, etc.
It is worth mentioning that insurance companies check your driving record mostly when you apply for new insurance policies. There are also indeed some companies that do the same procedure for every renewal, but it rarely happens. In most cases, any history of traffic law violation and the point will stay on your record for three to five years. When you are already insured and apply for renewal, minor violations are often considered insignificance by insurance companies that they do not charge for more rates. However, major offenses causing considerable damages will most likely show up.
How to reduce driving record points?
If you're applying or switching to new insurer, the companies will check your driving history to at least 3 years back. If there is any minor violation in the record, the car insurance company may increase the premium fee by up to 15 percent. Fortunately there are some ways for you to avoid the increase including by taking defensive driving course or simply wait it out. If defensive driving course option is available, please check with the DMV to see the related information. In some states, the certification is only valid if issued by approved by certain organizations or schools. The easiest is of course to simply wait until the record is clear. It may take 3 to 5 years depending on the regulation in your state. However, it is not recommended since you may end up driving without proper insurance coverage.
