The driver factors that make car insurance rates go up the most

What makes your insurance rates go up the most?

Adding a male teen driver increases your rates the most, with a dollar increase of $4,555 a year, or 156%, on average. A teen female driver is second, increasing rates by an average of $3,980 a year or 135%. A teen driver increases rates more than having two at-fault accidents on your record.

We also compared the rate increase for bad credit and traffic violations to that for an at-fault accident and found that several major violations will cause a greater increase than a single accident. The difference is shown in the table below.

Reason for rate increase	Average rate	Average percent increase	Average dollar increase	Percent more than an accident	Dollar amount more than an accidet
Add a male age 16	$7,642	156%	$4,555	86%	$3,527
Add a female age 16	$7,067	135%	$3,980	72%	$2,952
DUI	$5,177	95%	$2,522	26%	$1,062
Reckless driving	$4,832	82%	$2,177	17%	$717
Bad credit	$5,283	99%	$2,628	28%	$1,168
Two speeding tickets	$4,301	62%	$1,646	5%	$186

Read our methodology

How much does reckless driving increase insurance rates?

Getting cited for reckless driving is a huge red flag for insurers. Reckless driving insurance rates go up by an average of 82% or $2,117.

"A reckless driving ticket is usually enough to cause a large increase in premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. because most insurance companies would classify that as a ‘major’ violation,” says David Miller, VP Client Executive with The Plexus Groupe.

The definition of reckless driving can vary by state. Here are a few actions that can result in a reckless driving charge:

Driving 25 miles per hour (or more) over the speed limit
Street racing another vehicle
Attempting to elude a police officer
Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway when visibility of oncoming traffic is limited

In addition, this type of infraction may stay on your driving record (and your insurance record) for much longer than a simple speeding ticket or even an accident. That means that the reckless driving insurance increase might also stick around longer.

People ask

Is reckless driving worse than an accident for insurance?

Yes. Reckless driving increases insurance rates by 17% more than an accident, on average. Rate increases vary by carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims., location, and driver, however, so some people may pay less for a reckless driving violation.

How much does adding a teen driver raise your insurance rates?

Adding a teen to your policy will increase your rates more than an accident.

Adding a 16-year-old male to your policy will result in an average increase of 156%, or $4,555. If your new driver is female, expect an average increase of 135%, or $3,980 a year.

Car insurance for teens is so expensive because teens are high-risk drivers, and statistically, males are riskier drivers than females.

Inexperience on the road can lead to accidents, which results in claims. "It's statistically proven that since teenage drivers don't have the experience that their parents have behind the wheel, they take longer to react to certain situations they are faced with when driving," says Charlotte Burr with AZ Insurance Team.

How much does a DUI increase car insurance rates?

A DUI will increase your rates by an average of 95%. In many states, a DUI stays on your record for more than three years, so this infraction adds up over time. An accident will drop off your record after three years, as will most infractions.

DUI car insurance rates differ by company, so shopping around is vital to finding the best deal.

How much does bad credit increase car insurance rates?

Car insurance for drivers with bad credit costs an average of 99% or about $2,698 more a year than for those with good credit. There are a few states where the use of credit is not permitted for car insurance rate calculations, but in most states, it's legal.

Bad credit affects insurance rates more than an accident, but improving your credit can bring your rates back down.

How much does a second speeding ticket increase car insurance rates?

Two speeding tickets of 11 mph or more over the limit will result in an average increase of 62% or $1,646 a year. You will be paying these higher rates for at least three years as you wait for the tickets to drop off your record. Two speeding tickets will cost you slightly more than a single at-fault accident with bodily injuries.

Use the speeding ticket calculator to estimate your car insurance rate increase.

How much does an at-fault accident increase car insurance rates?

A single accident involving bodily injury will have the greatest impact on your rates, increasing them by 60%. Two at-fault accidents raise your rates more than a DUI or reckless driving conviction, at 123%. The average rate with one at-fault accident on your record is $4,115, but rates vary by accident type.

Compare the rate increase for different accident claims below.

Accident	Average rate after claim	% increase	$ increase
At-fault bodily injury	$4,248	60%	$1,593
Property damage over $2,000	$3,956	49%	$1,301
Property damage under $2,000	$4,142	56%	$1,487
Two property damage over $2,000	$5,921	123%	$3,266

Read our methodology

How long an accident stays on your record depends on the insurance company and state law, but on average it’s three years.

People ask

Will my car insurance rates go up if nothing changes on my driving record?

It could. Rates increase for a lot of reasons, including increased risk in your area, inflation and higher claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing. costs. Not all rate increases are related to your driving record.

How to get your car insurance rates back down after a ticket or an accident

To get lower insurance rates, shop around and compare rates from multiple companies, raise your deductibleThe deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered loss when you file a claim. and ask about discounts. If you've received a ticket, you have the option to fight it and prevent a rate increase altogether.

Shop around and compare rates. Shopping around is the easiest and best way to save money on car insurance. Every insurance company weighs tickets, accidents and other factors differently. So even if your rates go up with one company, another could offer you a deal.
Raise your deductible. A higher deductible means lower insurance rates. "Increasing your collision deductible should make a pretty good dent in your premium. You will break even rather quickly. Let's say you are going from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible and you save $125 per year. Four accident-free years and you break even and every year thereafter, you are money ahead," says Jim Kirchen, president of Kirchen Insurance, based in Wisconsin. Always choose a deductible that you can easily afford in the event you have to make a claim.
Ask about discounts. Many car insurance discounts are available to help lower your rates. Even with a ticket, accident, or high-risk driver, there are still some discounts you can qualify for, like bundling auto and home insurance or a good student discount.
Fight the ticket. In some cases, you may be able to fight the ticket in court and get it off of your record. "We recommend consulting with an attorney even for speeding tickets. In many states, a traffic ticket attorney can get a moving violation ticket reduced to a non-moving violation, which will help keep points off your driving record. This is the key to maintaining lower rates," says John Espenschied of Insurance Brokers Group.

Read more about how to lower your car insurance rates.