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If you had a car accident in Arizona, you may wonder how long it will stay on your record. There is no single answer because Arizona maintains several types of accident records. Your Arizona Motor Vehicle Record, or MVR, shows your driving history. Your insurance company may track claims separately. C.L.U.E. can also report your auto insurance claims history. A traffic conviction creates another record with its own timeline. Consult with a Phoenix personal injury lawyer to discuss your concerns.
How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Arizona Driving Record?
Your Arizona MVR does not work like one permanent accident database. The Arizona Department of Transportation, or ADOT, offers different MVR record periods. An uncertified MVR provides a three year driving record. A certified MVR provides a five year driving record.
However, that does not mean every accident automatically disappears after three or five years. The record type, violation, conviction, and information requested can affect what appears. ADOT also maintains different record options through its Motor Vehicle Record Request process.
How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance Record?
Your insurance record works differently from your Arizona driving record. Insurance companies review information about prior losses when they evaluate coverage and pricing. Arizona DIFI confirms that insurers use C.L.U.E. to review prior loss history. C.L.U.E. stands for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange.
This database does not function as an Arizona government driving record. It provides insurance claim information to insurers for underwriting and pricing decisions. That means an accident can affect your insurance history even when your MVR does not show the same information.
When Does an Accident Fall Off Insurance?
You should not rely on a universal three year or five year rule for insurance pricing. Each insurer can apply its own underwriting rules within Arizona law. The type of claim, circumstances of the accident, your driving history, and the insurer can all matter. Arizona law also limits how insurers can treat certain not at fault accidents. Under A.R.S. § 20 263, an insurer cannot increase your motor vehicle insurance premium because of an accident you did not cause or significantly contribute to.
How Long Does an Insurance Claim Stay on Your Record?
An insurance claim can remain visible longer than an entry on a standard MVR. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau states that LexisNexis C.L.U.E. collects and reports up to seven years of auto insurance claims. This includes claims information used to help insurers make pricing and underwriting decisions.
C.L.U.E. tracks insurance claims history. It does not simply copy your Arizona driving record. For example, another driver may cause a crash. You could still file a claim with your own insurer for covered losses. That claim may become part of your insurance history even though you did not cause the accident.
How Long Does an At Fault Accident Stay on Your Insurance Record?
An at fault accident can affect your insurance history and future underwriting decisions. But there is no single Arizona rule that says every at fault accident affects your premium for exactly three or five years. Fault also matters when an insurer evaluates an accident.
If you believe an insurer treated you as responsible for a crash you did not cause, review the information supporting that decision. Arizona law specifically prohibits a premium increase based on an accident you did not cause or significantly contribute to.
What If You Were Not at Fault?
A not at fault accident can still appear in an insurance claims history. That does not make you responsible for causing the crash. This distinction can create confusion after a Phoenix car accident. A driver may see an accident listed in an insurance report and assume the listing means the insurer found them responsible.
Your driving record, insurance claims history, and fault determination answer different questions. If your insurer increases your premium because of an accident you did not cause or significantly contribute to, A.R.S. § 20 263 may apply.
How Can You Check Your Arizona Driving Record?
You can request your own Arizona Motor Vehicle Record through ADOT. Eligible Arizona residents can obtain their record online through AZMVDNow.gov.
ADOT currently offers an uncertified three year driving record and a certified five year driving record. The agency also provides a Motor Vehicle Record Request form for record requests.
Checking your own MVR can help you understand what information appears in your official driving history. You can also review your insurance claims history separately when an insurance record concerns you.
Can an Accident on Your Record Increase Your Insurance Rate?
An accident can affect insurance pricing, but the effect depends on the circumstances and the insurer. Your insurer may consider your driving history, claims history, and other underwriting factors. Arizona law provides an important protection for drivers who did not cause or significantly contribute to an accident.
If you believe an insurer raised your premium because of a crash you did not cause, review the reason for the increase. You can also contact the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions for consumer assistance.
Does an Accident Record Affect a Personal Injury Claim?
Your accident record and your personal injury claim are different issues. A driving record may show a citation or conviction. An insurance report may show a claim. Neither record alone decides whether another driver caused your injuries. A personal injury claim depends on the facts and evidence surrounding the crash.
That evidence can include the police report, photographs, medical records, witness statements, vehicle damage, and other available proof. If you were injured in Phoenix, understanding the difference between an insurance record and a personal injury claim can prevent costly mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an accident stay on your record in Arizona?
There is no single timeline. ADOT offers three year and five year MVR records, while C.L.U.E. can report up to seven years of auto insurance claims.
How long do accidents stay on an insurance record?
The answer depends on the insurer and the type of record. C.L.U.E. can report up to seven years of auto insurance claims.
Does a not at fault accident go on your record?
It can appear in an insurance claims history. That does not mean you caused the accident.
How can I check my Arizona driving record?
Eligible drivers can request an MVR through AZMVDNow.gov or follow ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Record Request process.
Can I dispute incorrect accident information?
Yes. The correct process depends on whether the error appears on your MVR, an insurance record, or a C.L.U.E. report.
Need Help After a Phoenix Car Accident?
An accident record can create questions about your insurance, driving history, and legal options. An injury claim can create even bigger concerns about medical treatment, lost income, and financial recovery.
If another driver caused your Phoenix crash and you suffered injuries, Harris Injury Law can review the facts of your case. A Phoenix car accident lawyer can help you understand how the accident record relates to your injury claim and insurance dispute.
Harris Injury Law, PLLC 1136 E Campbell Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85014 (480) 800-4878
Contact Harris Injury Law for a consultation about your Arizona car accident.
This article provides general information about Arizona law. It does not provide legal advice. Laws, insurance practices, and individual circumstances can vary. Reviewed by Jason A. Harris, Harris Injury Law, PLLC.
