It is no secret that your driving record has a heavy affect on the cost of your car insurance. A bad record can lead you to paying hundreds or even over a thousand more in car insurance every year. Certain violations, such as DUIs, can skyrocket your rates by 80% or more and remain on your record for as long as ten years.
Some drivers with poor records are tired of paying expensive car insurance premiums and may consider lying to potential insurers about their driving record.
However, lying to insurers about your driving record is practically impossible—and further detrimental to your car insurance options.
Insurance providers and DMVs work together in certain areas to track your driving record. If your license is suspended, for example, the DMV will notify your insurance provider about your new restrictions. If you have an SR22 requirement, your insurance provider will in turn notify the DMV of any lapse in your coverage that violates the SR22.
Together, they make it difficult for you to lie about you driving record. If you do attempt to hide information or lie to your insurance agent, however, you could face certain consequences.
Lying to your insurance provider about your driving record and other important information is known as “soft fraud.” Soft fraud can lead to an insurance provider cancelling your policy and even refusing to insure you. This can limit your options greatly when it comes to getting car insurance, especially affordable car insurance.
Can I Get Insurance with a Bad Driving Record?
It is still possible to afford car insurance even if you have a bad driving record. There are many insurance agencies that specialize in “high-risk” drivers, which are drivers who have poor driving records, low credit scores, or are otherwise risky to insure. Be careful on your search, however. Some of these insurance agencies specialize in high-risk drivers only to make up for their losses in hidden fees.
In the meanwhile, make sure you follow any and all court-ordered requirements relating to your vehicle and your car insurance. In the case of an SR22, you may still be required to carry car insurance even if you no longer have a vehicle. Contact your insurance agent and your DMV if you have any questions about your car insurance, and speak with your agent about available discounts.