How Long Do Tickets and Accidents Affect Car Insurance?
Tickets and at-fault accidents usually affect your rates for about three years, and a DUI often longer. How it works, state rules and when to shop again.
Updated October 7, 2026 · 5 min read
Key takeaways
- Most insurers look back about three years for tickets and at-fault accidents.
- A DUI usually raises rates for at least three years, and many insurers look back five years or more.
- Rules vary by state. California, for example, requires a Good Driver Discount for drivers with a clean three-year record.
- Compare quotes when a violation ages off, because your current insurer may not lower your rate automatically.
The typical lookback
There's no national rule. Each insurer decides how far back it looks, within state limits. In general:
- Speeding tickets and minor violations: usually about three years.
- At-fault accidents: usually about three years, sometimes five.
- DUI: at least three years of higher rates, and many insurers look back five years or more. A DUI can stay on your driving record longer than that in many states.
State rules that change the picture
- California: drivers licensed for at least three years with no more than one violation point in the past three years qualify for a required Good Driver Discount. A DUI conviction in the past 10 years disqualifies you.
- Massachusetts: the Safe Driver Insurance Plan looks back six years.
- Pennsylvania: insurers can't surcharge for accidents if total claim costs over three years stay at or below a state threshold, which rose to $2,350 on July 1, 2026.
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What a violation can cost
How much your rate rises depends on the violation, your state, your insurer and your history. A single minor ticket may have a small effect, while a DUI or an at-fault accident with injuries can raise premiums sharply. Some violations, like a DUI or driving uninsured, can also require an SR-22 filing.
Ways to soften the impact
- Ask about traffic school. Some states let you take a course to keep a ticket off your record or reduce points.
- Look for accident forgiveness. Some insurers waive the surcharge for a first accident, sometimes after a few claim-free years.
- Raise your deductible or adjust coverage on an older car.
- Shop around. Insurers weigh violations very differently.
Mark your calendar
When a ticket or accident reaches its third anniversary, compare quotes. Your current insurer may lower your rate at renewal, but another insurer may offer a better price as soon as the violation drops out of its lookback period.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a speeding ticket affect insurance?
Usually about three years, though it depends on your state and insurer.
How long does a DUI affect car insurance?
Usually at least three years, and many insurers look back five years or more.
Does a not-at-fault accident raise my rate?
Generally less than an at-fault accident, if at all. Rules vary by state and insurer.
Sources
How this guide was made: researched and drafted with AI assistance (Wren AI), and checked against the government and industry sources listed above. Wren AI is an AI tool, not a person or a licensed insurance agent.
This guide is general information, not insurance, legal or tax advice. Coverage, rules and prices vary by state, insurer and policy. Confirm details with a licensed agent before you buy. Read our editorial policy.