How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Record in NY?
Last Updated on October 14, 2020
If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident in New York state, you may be wondering how long that accident will stay on your record. Having an accident on your record can make your car insurance more expensive, which can be frustrating. Luckily, accidents will fade off your record after a certain number of years. Here’s how long an accident can stay on your record in New York State.
How Long Will a Minor Accident Stay on My Record?
In most cases, a minor accident will stay on your driving record in New York for three years. Accidents show up on record regardless of who was at fault in the accident. On the first day of the fourth year, the accident will be removed from your record.
How Long Will a Serious Accident Stay on My Record?
If you have been involved in a serious accident, it could stay on your record for a longer period of time. The New York State DMV can keep serious accidents listed on your driving record for as long as 10 years. There isn’t an official definition of a serious accident, but these are typically instances where someone was killed or experienced a life-altering injury as a result of the crash. An accident may also be considered serious if there was alcohol or drug use involved.
How Does Having an Accident on My Record Affect My Insurance Rates?
If you’re applying for a new insurance policy and you have an accident on your record, you can expect your rates to be high. After an accident, your rates could go up anywhere from 10 to 30 percent. If you’ve filed a claim with your insurance company, they will typically increase your rates directly afterward, regardless of who was at fault in the accident. If you’re involved in a small accident that only requires minimal repairs, it can be better, in the long run, to pay for them out of pocket and avoid a premium increase.
How Can I Get My Insurance Rates Down After an Accident?
Having your insurance rates increased after an accident can be very frustrating. However, there are some things you can do to minimize your costs. The first thing to do is consider taking a defensive driving course. In New York state, you can get a 10 percent discount on your insurance if you take a government-approved driving course.
Right after getting in an accident, ask your insurance provider of any discounts they offer that you qualify for. Many people don’t realize how many discounts their insurers offer and how much money they can save. You may be able to lower your premium just for being a good student or a homeowner, for example. Some policies even offer accident forgiveness, so your rates won’t go up after your first accident.
Another way to lower your insurance premium quickly is to increase your deductible. Your deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket when you file a claim. When you have a higher deductible, you’re less of a financial risk for the insurer, so they’ll lower your premiums. If you are going to go this route, make sure you can afford to pay the deductible should you get into an accident.
If your rates with your current insurer have become completely unaffordable, you may also want to consider looking for another provider. Every car insurance company has its own method for calculating premiums, so your rates with another provider might be lower, even with an accident. Get quotes from as many different insurers as you can to see who can offer you the best value.
Is There a Way to Remove the Accident From My Record?
You may be wondering if there’s a way to completely remove an accident from your driving record. This is very difficult to do, but you can contact your local New York DMV to see what your options are. In some cases, you may be able to remove the accident from your record if there was an error with the way it was reported. If your accident isn’t properly removed after three years, you can contact the DMV to find out why and attempt to have it removed. Taking New York’s defensive driving course can also remove some violations from your record by reducing points on your license, but it can’t remove everything. Unfortunately, for many people there isn’t a way to remove driving accidents from your record – you’ll just need to wait out the three year period.
What Should I Do If I Get Into a Car Accident?
It can be very difficult to remove an accident from your record. However, the steps you take after your accident can make it easier to file an insurance claim and get the payout you need. If you can, start by moving the car off to the side of the road, so it isn’t in anyone’s way. If anyone involved in the crash was injured, call for an ambulance immediately. Even if there aren’t any injuries, you will want to call the police in most cases. Having a police report can help you verify what happened to your insurance company later on.
If you are physically able, take pictures of your car and the scene from various angles. If there are any witnesses nearby, ask if they would be willing to give a statement, and get their contact information. You will also need to trade contact and insurance information with the other party involved in the accident. Once you get home, write down your own statement of what happened. Keep receipts of any expenses related to the accident, including car repair costs and medical bills. When you’re ready to file a claim, you can submit all of this information to your insurance company. You should file a claim as soon as possible – if you wait too long, your insurance company will likely reject it.
