You think you are a good driver. However, your auto insurance agent just informed you that your rates are on the rise. Your poor driving record is the cause. Your driving record is a file that contains information about the moving violations you have. If you have numerous records like this, chances are good you will pay more for auto insurance. Here’s what you need to keep in mind.

What Is Your Driving Record?

Your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles maintains a driving record for every person with a license in the state. This record contains any incidents in which you received a ticket. This includes moving violations such as speeding or reckless driving. It contains any convictions of driving under the influence as well. Any time a police officer pulls you over and writes a ticket that is upheld by the court, there’s a record of it here.

Why Does This Impact Your Car Insurance?

Auto insurance companies must understand the level of risk of each driver they provide coverage for through a plan. To understand that risk, they need to look for evidence on whether you are a good driver or a risky driver. They can do that by looking at your driving record.

Because a driver with a record, or a large number of points corresponding with those incidents, is a high risk, the agency may elect to charge more for the car insurance coverage.

A driver without any points is less likely to be in an accident or in a moving violation going forward. That means this person may be less of a risk to the company. They do not need to charge as much to provide financial protection for this person.

Past Behavior Indicates Future Potential

Anyone can be in an accident. Anyone can face charges for speeding or perhaps driving distracted. However, from an auto insurance perspective, those who have a history of such moving violations are more likely to commit those actions again. They also have a higher likelihood of filing a policy claim. That means you are a higher risk to the company at that point.

It is a good idea to speak to your auto insurance company about your driving record. Find out if they are charging you more for the coverage there. If so, work on improving your record. Remain ticket-free for a few years. Ultimately, this can help reduce your car insurance costs significantly.