Proving number of years of driving: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Nov. 23, 2011 8:50 a.m. Jeff Dork

I am having a devil of a time proving the number of years that I have been driving to Canadian insurance companies. Because of this I pay a ridiculous rate, which has just gone up. I need to do something about it now.

The main issues seems to be that last state that I had a license issued from was Alabama. That license was issued in the fall of 2009. Getting a drivers abstract and record (I paid for both) from them only went back to that date, it did not include my previous experience in Colorado (5 years), California (15 years) and Michigan (11 years). There does not appear (searching state DMV sites) a way to get a driving record from a state that you are no longer licensed in.

Going the insurance company route has not gone well either. My previous two insurance companies (Progressive and Country) have not been forthcoming in providing an insurance letter so I can't prove that I've been previously insured.

What else should I try? I know we have some insurance people here, any suggestions? Like I said, for my first year up here, I just paid the hit. But that's not an option any more.

Thanks as always.

Jeff
Nov. 23, 2011 8:54 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

This seems like something your agent should be helping you with. They are supposed to be doing more than just collecting checks from you. If you had a DUI, suspension or 20 speeding tickets in your previous driving career you can be sure as berkeley they would know about it. Let them make the requests if you can.

Worst case , you have to contact the DMV in each one yourself and get the records I guess.
Nov. 23, 2011 9:06 a.m. Streetwiseguy Dork

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

This seems like something your agent should be helping you with. They are supposed to be doing more than just collecting checks from you.

BWAAAHAAHAA! You kill me, dude.
Nov. 23, 2011 9:27 a.m. Klayfish HalfDork

The agent probably doesn't have any additional resources to gather that information, but I agree as a measure of customer service, it would be nice if they helped out.

Your best bet is the DMV. If they're looking for license history, the insurance company letter probably won't help much...you can actually get insurance even if you don't have a license. Go straight to the DMV and ask for a license history.
Nov. 23, 2011 9:30 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

Streetwiseguy wrote:

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

This seems like something your agent should be helping you with. They are supposed to be doing more than just collecting checks from you.

BWAAAHAAHAA! You kill me, dude.

I'm serious. My agent did quite a bit to get me good rates and spent a lot of time trying to work things out to my benefit (and ultimately his). He wanted my business.
Nov. 23, 2011 10:09 a.m. davidjs Reader

Jeff wrote: The main issues seems to be that last state that I had a license issued from was Alabama. That license was issued in the fall of 2009. Getting a drivers abstract and record (I paid for both) from them only went back to that date, it did not include my previous experience in Colorado (5 years), California (15 years) and Michigan (11 years). There does not appear (searching state DMV sites) a way to get a driving record from a state that you are no longer licensed in.

At least in Maryland, you can. For Colorado - DR2489 in some combination with DR2559
Nov. 23, 2011 10:23 a.m. imirk Reader

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

I agree, get a real agent, I've found small town agents to be better, and they'll be thankful for the business.