How long an accident remains visible depends on your state and the insurance company checking
An accident typically stays on your driving record for three to five years in most states, but the exact timeline varies. Some states keep accidents for as little as three years; others hold them for seven or longer. Insurance companies often use a different clock than your state does — they may look back five to seven years even if your state's official record clears it sooner. The length also depends on whether you were at fault, whether anyone was injured, and whether the accident resulted in a conviction or ticket.
Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent agency) maintains the official record. Insurance companies maintain their own separate records and can see accidents even after your state's public record expires. This matters because insurers use accident history to set your rates, and they may charge you more for an accident that no longer appears on your official DMV record.
Key Takeaways
- Most states keep accidents on your DMV record for three to five years, though some states extend this to seven years or longer.
- Insurance companies often look back further than your state's official record — typically five to seven years — so an accident may still affect your rates after it leaves your DMV history.
- At-fault accidents stay on your record longer than not-at-fault accidents in many states, and accidents involving injuries or citations typically remain visible longer.
- You can request a copy of your driving record from your state's DMV to see exactly what appears and when it will be removed.
How state records and insurance records work differently
Your state's DMV record is public (or semi-public) and shows accidents, tickets, and violations. This is the record that employers, insurance companies, and courts can access. Most states remove accidents from this official record after three to five years, though the clock starts from the date of the accident, not the date you paid any fine or settled the claim.
Insurance companies keep their own internal records separate from your state's DMV file. They may retain accident information for five to seven years or longer, depending on the company and the type of accident. Even if your state's DMV record no longer shows an accident, your insurance company's records will, and they will use it to calculate your rates. When you shop for insurance, new companies can see accidents in your insurer's database even if they have aged off your official state record.
This is why you might see your rates drop after three years (when your state record clears) but then see them drop again after five or seven years (when insurance databases age out the accident). The two timelines do not align.
At-fault versus not-at-fault accidents
At-fault accidents — where you were found responsible for the collision — stay on your record longer and affect your insurance rates more severely. Most states keep at-fault accidents visible for five to seven years. Not-at-fault accidents, where the other driver was responsible, typically remain on your record for three to five years and have less impact on your rates.
Insurance companies weight at-fault accidents much more heavily than not-at-fault ones. An at-fault accident can raise your rates by 20 to 40 percent or more, depending on your insurer and the severity of the accident. A not-at-fault accident may raise your rates slightly or not at all, though some insurers do increase rates for any accident, regardless of fault.
If you believe you were wrongly marked as at-fault, you can dispute the information with your state's DMV or your insurance company. This process varies by state, but it typically involves submitting documentation like the police report, witness statements, or photos showing the other driver was at fault.
Accidents with injuries or citations last longer
An accident that resulted in injuries, property damage above a certain threshold, or a traffic citation stays on your record longer than a minor fender-bender. If you received a ticket or citation at the scene, that violation may remain on your record for five to seven years or longer, depending on your state. The accident itself may clear after three to five years, but the citation does not.
Accidents involving serious injury or death can remain on your record indefinitely in some states, or for ten years or more. These accidents also appear in court records and may be discoverable in civil lawsuits, so they have consequences beyond insurance rates.
Even a minor citation issued at the scene of an accident can extend how long the accident affects your insurance rates. Some insurers treat any accident with a citation as more serious than an accident without one, even if the citation was for something minor like failing to maintain control of the vehicle.
How to check what is on your driving record
You can request a copy of your official driving record from your state's DMV website or by visiting a local DMV office. Most states charge a small fee (typically $5 to $15) and provide the record within a few days. Some states offer online ordering with when ready or next-day delivery. Search "[your state] DMV driving record" to find the request form for your state.
Your record will show the date of each accident, whether you were at-fault, any citations issued, and the date the accident will be removed from your official record. This gives you a clear picture of what insurers can see and when your record will clear.
You should also contact your insurance company and ask what they have on file about any accidents. They may have information that differs from your state's record, or they may be using an older date than you expect. If there is an error, ask your insurer to correct it in writing.
What happens when an accident ages off your record
When an accident reaches the age limit for your state — typically three to five years — the DMV removes it from your official public record. At that point, you can legally say the accident does not appear on your driving record. However, your insurance company may still see it in their internal database for another year or two.
Once an accident is removed from your state's official record, new insurance companies cannot see it when they run a background check. This often results in lower rates, since new insurers will not factor the old accident into their quote. Your current insurer may also lower your rates once the accident ages off, though they are not required to do so automatically — you may need to ask for a rate review.
The removal is automatic; you do not need to request it or take any action. The DMV removes accidents on a rolling basis as they reach the age threshold. If you are unsure when an accident will be removed, check your driving record or call your state's DMV.
How accidents affect insurance rates over time
An at-fault accident typically increases your insurance rates when ready and keeps them elevated for three to five years. The rate increase is steepest in the first year after the accident, then gradually decreases each year. By year three or four, the impact on your rates usually becomes minimal, even if the accident is still on your record.
Some insurers use a "surcharge schedule" that automatically reduces the impact of an accident each year. Others hold the full surcharge for the entire period the accident is on your record, then drop it all at once. A few insurers offer accident forgiveness programs that waive the rate increase if you have been a customer for a certain number of years and have no other recent accidents.
Shopping for insurance after an accident can help you find a company that weights the accident less heavily. Different insurers have different underwriting standards, so one company might increase your rate by 30 percent while another increases it by 15 percent for the same accident. Getting quotes from multiple insurers is worth the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an accident removed from my record early?
No, you cannot remove an accident from your state's official record before the time limit expires. The removal is automatic and based on your state's law. However, if the accident was recorded in error or you were wrongly marked as at-fault, you can dispute it with your DMV or insurance company, which may result in the record being corrected or removed sooner.
Does a not-at-fault accident affect my insurance rates?
A not-at-fault accident typically has little to no impact on your rates, though some insurers do increase rates slightly for any accident. The impact is much smaller than an at-fault accident. If your rates increased significantly after a not-at-fault accident, contact your insurer and ask them to review the information of fault.
Will a minor accident stay on my record as long as a major one?
Yes, both minor and major accidents follow the same timeline for removal from your state's official record. However, insurance companies may treat them differently — a minor fender-bender might have less impact on your rates than a serious collision, even if both stay on your record for the same number of years.
What if I move to a different state?
Your driving record follows you to your new state. When you transfer your license, the new state's DMV can access your accident history from your previous state. Insurance companies also have access to multi-state records, so an accident in one state will still affect your rates in another.
How long does an accident stay on my insurance company's internal record?
Most insurance companies keep accidents in their internal database for five to seven years, though some hold them longer. This is separate from your state's official record, so an accident may still affect your rates with your current insurer even after it ages off your DMV record. When you switch insurers, the new company may not see it.