Your personal driving record can have a great impact on your car insurance quotes from licensed insurance companies. When you are shopping for car insurance, insurance company representatives will pull your driving record and review it to determine how many accidents you have had, whether you were at fault for an accident, and how many traffic violations have been recorded. Because drivers with a high number of accidents or traffic violations may be a greater risk for insurance companies, they adjust your car insurance rates to reflect this increased risk. There are several ways that your car insurance rate can be affected by your driving record.

Rates

Your rates may be adjusted to reflect a good driving record or a poor driving record. Having a good driving record may entitle you to special discounts or enrollment in good driver programs. These programs often provide drivers with a reward if they remain accident-free for a specific period of time. If your driving record contains several accidents or traffic violations, then your car insurance premiums will be increased. Speeding, running a red light or being cited for reckless driving can all cause your rates to go up.

Deductibles

Your car insurance deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket before an insurance company will pay an accident or damage claim. For example, a deductible of $500 would require a policyholder to pay for $500 worth of repairs before the insurance company would pay for additional repairs. If you have a poor driving record, you may be forced to select a car insurance plan with a high deductible so that you can make your premiums manageable. If you have a good driving record, you may be able to select a plan with a very low deductible without increasing your car insurance quote to a level that you cannot afford.

Special Requirements

If your driving record contains specific violations, you may be asked to complete specific requirements before you are able to get a car insurance quote. Drivers convicted of driving under the influence may have difficulty getting an insurance policy. People with a number of traffic violations may have to attend safe driving classes in order to qualify for insurance coverage. People with good driving records are usually exempt from these requirements because they have demonstrated that they are responsible drivers.

Good Driver Programs

Having a good driving record can also help you to get a more comprehensive insurance policy. Some insurance companies offer perks to good drivers. These perks include free roadside assistance and discounts at hotels and restaurants. Combined with lower premiums, these good driver programs can help people with good driving records to save a substantial amount of money.