There are few things more nerve-wracking than getting a traffic ticket. First, you have to sit through the traffic stop while the officer runs your plates and determines what to charge you with. Then, you have to decide whether to fight the ticket or simply pay the fine and court costs. Finally, you have to worry about what will happen when your auto insurance company finds out about your indiscretion.
How much will your insurance go up? What’s the length of time that this affects your insurance rates? Is there anything that you can do to prevent this from happening? Not to worry! Here are the answers to all of those questions and more.
All Traffic Violations Have Some Effect on Your Insurance
Whether you received a simple speeding ticket or something more complex, like a DUI or at-fault accident, you can expect to see your insurance rates rise. The only question is: how much? When it comes to auto insurance, you’re penalized a bit more for larger violations than smaller ones, which makes sense. Let’s break down the violations based on the general amount that your insurance will go up:
- Less Than Ten Percent – Some of the smallest insurance increases come from traffic violations that are less violent than the others. For example, you can expect to see violations like driving without a seat belt, not using child safety restraints, being in an accident where you’re found to be not at fault, and even being unable to show your driver’s license at a traffic stop on this list.
- Ten to 30 Percent – Most traffic violations fall within this category. Everything from speeding, failing to yield, making an illegal turn, not stopping for red lights, and more can cause your auto insurance to go up by an average of around 20% or more.
- 30 to 50 Percent – There are a few common violations that can cause your insurance to rise by between 30 and 50 percent. They include being found at fault or causing an accident, driving a vehicle without permission (also known as driving a stolen vehicle), and being caught with an open container of alcohol in the car.
- 60 to Over 80 Percent – This category is designated for the most egregious traffic violations. You can expect your insurance coverage to go up by hundreds of dollars if you get cited for street racing, driving under the influence, driving recklessly, operating with a suspended license, refusing a breathalyzer test, or even leaving the scene of an accident.
What Can You Do to Lower Your Insurance Rates?
If you’re trying to find a way to lower your insurance rates after getting cited for a traffic violation, you thankfully have a few options. You can either contest the ticket in the hopes of having the violation vacated, in which case your insurance won’t go up at all. Other options include attending a driving school to brush up on your skills or see if you qualify for a specific discount on your insurance due to your membership in a certain group or organization. The good news is that you do have options, and we can help.
If you want to explore those options, give our knowledgeable team at Charlotte Insurance a call today!