Having a good driving record not only gives you the personal satisfaction of being a safe driver and making sure other people feel safe when they're riding with you. You should also be aware of how your driving record impacts your insurance rate. Simply put, the cleaner your driving history is, the better your chances of getting lower insurance premiums.

Generally speaking, if you were involved in an accident that you did not cause and if you are just about to apply for a new auto insurance policy, you need not worry about being quoted a high rate. The same usually applies if you get a ticket for speeding, or a parking violation. It's when you start accumulating tickets for the same or various traffic violations that you should start getting worried. Why? Because insurance companies will most likely classify you as a high-risk driver and one who is likely to make several claims for compensation. And as a high-risk driver, you will be quoted higher insurance premiums than that which would be usually given to a safe driver.

In fact, if your driving record shows a history of tickets or involvement in accidents, you may be denied a renewal of your policy, or if you are applying for a policy at a new insurance company, your application may be denied altogether. Even if police reports or other documentation show that you were involved in accidents that were in no way your fault, the fact that you were in several will be enough for the insurer to conclude that there must be something about the way you drive that makes you susceptible to accidents. Hence, more accidents (even if you did not cause them) more chances of seeing an increase in your insurance rate.

How your driving record impacts your insurance rate is something you should keep in mind when on the road because being a good, defensive driver pays off in more ways than one. You will play a big role in keeping the roads a safer place to travel and you will find that insurance companies are willing to reward you for that by lowering your premiums or giving you a discount.