Question
How do I get points on my license in CA?
Two questions, really. First, should I file a claim? I recently dented my driver car door by hitting a pole going through a narrow drive through. It also left some scratches. I’ve never been in and car accidents I’ve only had one parking ticket on my record I’m 25 and afraid my insurance will go up and I will have a point on my record. I’ve also went to some body shops to see how much it will cost me they said 1200-2000 to get it repaired out of pocket, my deductible is 1000.00 I have full coverage I’m not sure what to do. My second question is, how do I actually get a point on my driving record in CA? This would give me a point, right?
Answer
To answer your first question, I wouldn't file a claim. Being the deductible is only a few hundred dollars, you would pay more in a rate increase after filing a claim than you would receive. In California in 2017, an at-fault accident (which this would be considered) raised rates an average of $660 per year. Now, most insurance companies would keep that on your insurance record and thus charge you for three years. So that $660 becomes $1980. Below you can see how much you would end up paying for car insurance over a 3 year period after filing a claim.
| Year After Accident | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| 0 - No Accident | $1,713 |
| 1 Year Later | $2,373 |
| 2 Years Later | $3,033 |
| 3 Years Later | $3,693 |
As for your second question, you can get a point on your driving record in California for the following reasons: One point violations
- Moving violations: for example, a collision claim
- Speeding
- Running a red light
Two point violations
- Reckless driving
- DUI
- Driving while license is suspended or revoked
The issue you want to avoid is having heard multiple point in a short amount of time. Considering, however, this is your first accident, you should be fine. Best of luck.