Your Auto Insurance And Traffic Tickets.
Traffic tickets can -- and do -- affect your auto insurance rates. However, all may not be lost if you've received a ticket for speeding, running a stop sign or other moving violations. Keep the following in mind.
Consider how car insurance rates are determined. Auto insurers determine rates and premiums based on several factors, including:
1.Your age
2. The type of vehicle you drive
3. How many miles you drive annually
4. Where you live
5. Your sex
6. Recent claim history
7. Coverages and deductibles
8. Your driving record
Now your driving record is affected by states using a point system to track moving violations and traffic accidents you incur as a licensed driver. Tickets for speeding, running a red light, reckless driving and other moving violations can show up as points on your record.
The more points you have on your record, the more an insurance company may consider you a higher risk for a claim. If you are buying insurance, many companies may charge you more -- or even deny coverage -- if you have too many points. Keep in mind that car insurance companies only look at moving violations and not parking tickets or non-moving violations.
Many insurance companies also review their policyholders' driving records at renewal, so if you get a ticket and are convicted, you could see your current premium increase. There may be some things you can do to alleviate or prevent a premium increase:
1. Depending upon where you live, you could go to traffic school. Typically upon completion of the class, the violation is dropped and no points are added to your record. Traffic school costs money but it is typically less than paying the citation, and there are often some limitations. For example, you may not be eligible for traffic school if you've had a moving violation in the prior two years. Of course, if you go this route you'll also prevent a premium increase.
2. You can pay the ticket. You will probably see an increase in your auto insurance costs.
3. You can fight the ticket. However if you lose, you will probably be required to pay all of the necessary fines and court costs plus increased insurance costs.
If the traffic violation affects your insurance, you may pay higher rates anywhere from three to seven years. It just depends upon the insurance company. Also, remember that this is just one factor insurers use to determine your rate and each company uses this information differently. Because of that, it's a good idea to do some comparison shopping for auto insurance quotes if your premium does increase.
Try visiting an insurance comparison Web site to get a few quotes conveniently, while only having to enter your information once. The Insurance Information Institute recommends that you get at least three different quotes.
Consider how car insurance rates are determined. Auto insurers determine rates and premiums based on several factors, including:
1.Your age
2. The type of vehicle you drive
3. How many miles you drive annually
4. Where you live
5. Your sex
6. Recent claim history
7. Coverages and deductibles
8. Your driving record
Now your driving record is affected by states using a point system to track moving violations and traffic accidents you incur as a licensed driver. Tickets for speeding, running a red light, reckless driving and other moving violations can show up as points on your record.
The more points you have on your record, the more an insurance company may consider you a higher risk for a claim. If you are buying insurance, many companies may charge you more -- or even deny coverage -- if you have too many points. Keep in mind that car insurance companies only look at moving violations and not parking tickets or non-moving violations.
Many insurance companies also review their policyholders' driving records at renewal, so if you get a ticket and are convicted, you could see your current premium increase. There may be some things you can do to alleviate or prevent a premium increase:
1. Depending upon where you live, you could go to traffic school. Typically upon completion of the class, the violation is dropped and no points are added to your record. Traffic school costs money but it is typically less than paying the citation, and there are often some limitations. For example, you may not be eligible for traffic school if you've had a moving violation in the prior two years. Of course, if you go this route you'll also prevent a premium increase.
2. You can pay the ticket. You will probably see an increase in your auto insurance costs.
3. You can fight the ticket. However if you lose, you will probably be required to pay all of the necessary fines and court costs plus increased insurance costs.
If the traffic violation affects your insurance, you may pay higher rates anywhere from three to seven years. It just depends upon the insurance company. Also, remember that this is just one factor insurers use to determine your rate and each company uses this information differently. Because of that, it's a good idea to do some comparison shopping for auto insurance quotes if your premium does increase.
Try visiting an insurance comparison Web site to get a few quotes conveniently, while only having to enter your information once. The Insurance Information Institute recommends that you get at least three different quotes.
