The Good Driver Advantage

In order to have access to the most competitive rates and have the most options available it is a drivers best interest to maintain a good driving record. California drivers without good driving records could pay more than twenty percent more than their counterparts with good driver discounts. If you lose your California good driver status, your options of insurance companies will be substantially lower.

Many preferred auto insurance companies only write business for drivers who qualify for the good driver discount. With the passage of Prop 103, all California auto insurance companies will accept any person who is a California good driver. Consumers are offered protection from these standards. They are essentially able to take their choice of companies.

In order to be considered a good driver there are many qualifications that must be met. They can not have more than one moving violation, a combination of a moving violation and chargeable accident, major violation within the last seven years, or a DUI conviction within the last ten years. They must also be continuously licensed for the preceding three year period.

Although the discount average is a twenty percent reduction in the standard rate, not being able to qualify for the discount can leave consumers with limited options of insurance companies. Many of the most competitively priced insurance companies will only accept drivers that qualify for the discount, thus leaving the consumer with significantly higher rates due to a lack of company selection.

There a few exceptions that insurance companies will make that follow the good driver only standard. The most common exceptions are for youthful operators that are listed as additional drivers on their parent's policy. They may have a good record but simply not qualify for the discount due to a lack of driving experience.

In conclusion, in order to ensure that drivers have access to the most options it is highly recommended that they maintain a good driving history.