What Tickets Affect Insurance?

Getting a citation or a traffic ticket is not only a hassle but it can also affect your car insurance rates. When you get a ticket, the insurance company is notified and they will determine if your driving records show a higher risk which means a higher premium. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what tickets affect insurance and what you can do to keep your insurance rates low.

Tickets that affect insurance rates

Here are the most common types of violations that can lead to a rate increase on your auto insurance policy:

Speeding Tickets

Speeding tickets are one of the most common charges that can result in an increase in insurance rates. The amount of the increase depends on the severity of the violation and varies from one insurer to another. In general, the more points you get on your license, the more likely it is that you will pay more for insurance.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving includes activities such as racing another vehicle, excessive speeding, or driving under the influence. You can expect your insurance rates to go up if you get convicted of reckless driving. Additionally, if you cause an accident while driving recklessly, your insurance rates may go up substantially.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving means anything that takes your attention away from the road, including texting, eating, drinking, or even talking on the phone. Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents and can result in a steep increase in insurance rates.

Minor violations that don’t impact insurance rates

Not all tickets will cause your insurance rates to go up. Some minor violations, such as a broken taillight or expired tags, are considered non-moving violations and do not affect your driving record or your insurance rates.

What to do if you get a ticket and want to avoid an increase in insurance rates

If you receive a traffic ticket, you should consider the following options:

Fighting the ticket

Fighting the ticket in court may result in a reduction or dismissal of the citation. If you are successful, this will not only help you avoid an increase in insurance rates but also help you avoid points on your driving record.

Taking a defensive driving course

Many states offer a defensive driving course that can help you avoid points on your driving record. In some cases, insurance companies will offer a discount to drivers who complete a defensive driving course.

Requesting a deferral

Some states offer a deferment program where a driver can ask to have the ticket deferred and not be added to their driving record if they meet certain conditions. This means that the insurance company will not be notified, and therefore, will not increase the driver’s premiums for the violation.

Conclusion

Receiving a traffic ticket can be expensive, not just in terms of the fine but also in terms of the increase in your insurance rates. It’s important to remember that not all tickets are created equal, and some violations will have a more significant impact on your insurance premiums than others. If you get a traffic ticket, your best course of action is to fight the ticket or take a defensive driving course to avoid an increase in your insurance rates.