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How long can a car accident stay on your record?
My insurance has gone way up since my last accident. I want to know how long I’ll be paying this new rate. How long do car accidents affect insurance?
Hana Sabah · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oh, man—I’m sorry about your car and your wallet!. Luckily, accidents don’t stay on your record forever.
Insurance companies tend to only look at the past three to five years of driving history when pricing insurance policies. So the rate you’re paying to insure your vehicle now should go down in a few years—as long as you avoid accidents and traffic tickets.
The specific number of years an accident will appear on your record varies by state. For example, in Massachusetts, car insurance companies cannot include accidents or traffic violations that are six years old or older when calculating your premium.
Speak with the DMV or your insurance agent to get the most accurate information specific to your state.
If you’re looking for ways to save on insurance in the meantime, then download the
Jerry
app. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding the cheapest quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy if you find a better rate from a different provider.View full answer
- Gregory R.
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