Citation Excel is a commercial auto insurance program that uses driving history data to set rates

Citation Excel is an insurance rating system that tracks individual driver records and adjusts commercial vehicle insurance premiums based on violations, accidents, and claims history. Instead of charging all drivers in a fleet the same rate, Citation Excel calculates separate premiums for each driver, rewarding safe driving and charging more for risky records.

The system pulls data from state motor vehicle records, insurance claims databases, and sometimes telematics (vehicle monitoring devices). Insurers use this information to predict the likelihood that a specific driver will file a claim, then price that driver's coverage accordingly. A driver with no violations pays less than one with multiple speeding tickets or at-fault accidents.

Citation Excel is most commonly used by commercial insurers for fleets—delivery companies, contractors, rideshare operators, and other businesses with multiple vehicles and drivers. Some insurers also offer it to small business owners with one or two commercial vehicles. The system is designed to make insurance costs reflect actual risk rather than broad averages.

Key Takeaways

  • Citation Excel calculates insurance rates for each driver separately, based on their driving record rather than treating all drivers in a fleet the same way.
  • The system uses state driving records, insurance claims history, and sometimes vehicle telematics to assess individual driver risk.
  • Drivers with clean records pay lower premiums, while those with violations, accidents, or claims pay higher rates.
  • Your insurer will explain which violations and incidents affect your rate and by how much when you enroll or renew.
  • You can request a copy of your motor vehicle record from your state's DMV to see what data the insurer is using.

How Citation Excel calculates your driver premium

Citation Excel starts with a base rate for your vehicle type and coverage level, then adjusts it up or down based on the driver's record. The insurer assigns points or surcharges for specific violations and incidents. A speeding ticket might add 10 percent to the base rate; an at-fault accident might add 25 percent. A clean record for three to five years typically earns a discount.

The exact point values and surcharges vary by insurer and state. Your insurance agent or broker should provide a rate sheet or explanation showing which violations trigger which adjustments. If you do not receive this information when you enroll, ask for it—you have the right to know how your rate was calculated.

Some insurers also factor in age, experience, and type of driving (local delivery versus highway hauling, for example). A few programs include telematics data—GPS and accelerometer readings from a device installed in the vehicle—to measure hard braking, speeding, and rapid acceleration. Telematics can lower your rate if your actual driving behavior is safer than your record suggests, or raise it if you drive recklessly despite a clean history.

What violations and incidents affect your rate

Moving violations—speeding, running a red light, improper lane change, failure to yield—typically add surcharges. The amount depends on the severity and your state's classification. A 5 mph over the limit may cost less than 20 mph over. Reckless driving or excessive speeding usually carries a larger penalty.

At-fault accidents add surcharges that last three to five years on your record. Not-at-fault accidents usually do not affect your rate, though some insurers may count them if you have multiple claims in a short period. Uninsured motorist claims (where the other driver had no insurance) typically do not trigger a surcharge.

Serious violations—DUI, driving with a suspended license, hit-and-run—may disqualify you from the program entirely or result in a rate so high that coverage becomes impractical. Some insurers will not insure drivers with a DUI in the past three to five years, regardless of Citation Excel.

Minor violations like parking tickets or equipment violations (broken taillight, expired registration) do not usually affect your rate under Citation Excel, though they may appear on your driving record.

How to review your driving record before enrollment

Before you enroll in a commercial auto policy using Citation Excel, request a copy of your driving record from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Most states allow you to order online, by mail, or in person for a small fee (usually $5 to $15). Your record will show all violations, accidents, and suspensions from the past three to seven years, depending on your state.

Review the record carefully for errors. If a violation was dismissed, reduced, or expunged, it should not appear. If it does, contact the court or DMV to request a correction. Errors on your driving record can inflate your insurance rate unfairly, and correcting them before enrollment protects you.

Share your record with your insurance agent or broker. They can tell you in advance how each item will affect your rate under Citation Excel, so you are not surprised at renewal. If your record is poor, some agents can shop your business to insurers with more lenient rating formulas or programs that do not use Citation Excel.

How Citation Excel affects fleet insurance costs

For a fleet with multiple drivers, Citation Excel can significantly lower your overall insurance bill if most of your drivers have clean records. A delivery company with five drivers, four of whom have no violations and one with a speeding ticket, will pay less under Citation Excel than under a flat fleet rate that charges all five drivers the same amount.

However, Citation Excel also means that one driver with a poor record can raise the cost of insuring that vehicle noticeably. If you have a driver with multiple violations or an at-fault accident, you may pay more under Citation Excel than you would under a traditional fleet rating. Some fleet managers use Citation Excel rates as an incentive: drivers know their violations will raise the company's insurance costs, which can encourage safer driving.

When you renew your policy, your insurer will recalculate rates based on updated driving records. New violations or accidents will increase your premium at renewal. Conversely, violations aging off your record (usually after three to five years) will lower your rate.

Comparing Citation Excel to other commercial rating methods

Not all commercial insurers use Citation Excel. Some use traditional fleet rating, where all drivers in a vehicle class pay the same rate regardless of individual records. Others use proprietary systems with different names but similar logic. A few offer telematics-only programs that ignore driving records and rate based solely on actual driving behavior.

Traditional fleet rating is simpler to understand and may be cheaper if you have one or two drivers with poor records. Telematics programs can reward genuinely safe drivers even if their record is spotty, but they require installing a device in each vehicle and may feel invasive to some drivers.

When shopping for commercial auto insurance, ask each insurer which rating system they use and request a quote under each method. Compare the total cost, not just the base rate. An insurer with a lower base rate but a harsh Citation Excel surcharge structure may cost more than one with a higher base rate but gentler adjustments.

What happens if you disagree with your Citation Excel rate

If you believe your rate is incorrect, first verify that your driving record is accurate. Order a fresh copy from your state DMV and compare it to what the insurer used. If there are discrepancies, ask the insurer to correct them and recalculate your rate.

If your record is accurate but you think the surcharges are unfair, ask your agent or the insurer's rating department to explain the calculation in detail. Some insurers have appeal processes or will review rates if you provide evidence of mitigating circumstances (for example, a violation that was later dismissed).

If you cannot resolve the dispute with your current insurer, shop other carriers. Different insurers weight violations differently, and some may offer a better rate for your specific situation. An independent insurance broker who works with multiple commercial carriers can help you find an insurer whose rating system is more favorable to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a violation I got dismissed still count against me under Citation Excel?

It depends on whether it appears on your official driving record. If the court dismissed the violation and it was removed from your record, it should not affect your rate. If it still shows on your DMV record as dismissed, some insurers may ignore it, but others may count it. Ask your insurer directly and request a copy of your record to verify what they are seeing.

How long do violations stay on my record for insurance purposes?

Most violations and at-fault accidents stay on your driving record for three to five years, though the exact period varies by state and violation type. After that time, they typically age off and no longer affect your insurance rate. Serious violations like DUI may remain longer.

Can I lower my Citation Excel rate by taking a defensive driving course?

Some insurers offer a discount for completing an approved defensive driving course, but it varies. Ask your insurer whether they recognize defensive driving discounts and what course they require. Even if you get a discount, it may not fully offset a surcharge from a recent violation.

What if one of my drivers has a DUI—can they still be insured under Citation Excel?

Most insurers will not insure a driver with a DUI in the past three to five years, regardless of the rating system. Some may insure them after a longer waiting period or with a very high surcharge. Contact your insurer directly to ask about their DUI policy. If they decline, you may need to find a different carrier that specializes in high-risk commercial drivers.

Does Citation Excel use information from traffic cameras or red light cameras?

No. Citation Excel uses only violations that appear on your official driving record—tickets issued by law enforcement and recorded with the court and DMV. Automated camera violations may or may not appear on your record depending on your state and whether you paid the fine. Check your state's rules on camera violations and your driving record to be sure.