Have a few accidents on your driving record?

How many car accidents have you been involved in during the past three years? Hopefully none, but if you have a crash or two on your driving record, there's one thing to keep in mind. The amount you pay for auto insurance may be impacted.

Your driving record is a summary of your life on the road, and therefore is a mathematically accurate predictor of your general risk profile. In other words, what has happened in the past is a good predictor of the future.

If you have a few accidents on your record, your higher risk profile will likely mean higher auto insurance rates. But you may also have the power to change your risk category. How you ask? Here are a few things you can do:

1. Try to improve your driving habits and behavior on the road. If you're the type of driver who has always tended to speed, force yourself to slow down and always drive the speed limit. They are set for a reason - optimum safety on the roads.

2. Take a defensive driving course. Completing one of these is a great way to show the insurance company that you take safety seriously. Many companies offer discounts to drivers who can prove they have successfully completed a driving safety course either through community education or a driving school.

Going through a driving school can not only save you on premiums, but is also a way to possibly erase points on your license you may have received due to a speeding ticket or accident for which you were at fault.

Bottom line, when evaluating a customer's risk profile, insurance companies take many things into careful consideration. They also realize no one is perfect, but are committed to providing customers with the best rates for which they are qualified. So when seeking auto insurance quotes, be sure to let the insurance company know about any driving safety courses you may have taken.

Courtesy of ARAcontent