In New York, the NYS DMV lists an accident on the driving records of every driver in an accident. An accident that appears on the driver record does not assign the fault to that driver or determine fault. An accident normally remains on a NY motor vehicle record (MVR) during the year that the accident occurred and for the following three years. The accident is then removed on January 1st of the forth year after the collision.

If the accident was considered by the state or DMV to be of a serious nature it can remain on a driver record for more than 10 years. This information regarding your driving record is important to know because insurance companies typically look at your driving record when determining your rates.

If your accident is listed when an insurance company checks your driving record it can then affect your rates. If your insurance is raised due to an accident, NYS regards this as a surcharge. The reasons for which surcharges are allowed by New York Insurance Department can be found on their website. It does not mention how long the surcharge can last, many states allow 3 years, so you may need to contact this agency to find out what New York allows.