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Tickets and Moving Violations: Don’t Be a Prisoner to Your Insurance Company

First, how are your car insurance rates determined? Auto insurers determine rates and premiums based on several factors, including the potential (risk) for a claim. These factors include your age, the type of vehicle you are driving, where you live, how far you drive during the year, the coverage's and deductibles you have, your sex, your recent auto claim history and your driving record.

Most states use a point system to track moving violations and traffic accidents for each licensed driver. If you get a ticket for speeding, running a red light, reckless driving or other moving violations these could potentially show up as points on your record.

Insurance companies review driving records as part of the application process when someone is buying auto insurance. They may consider you a higher risk the more points you have on your record. This translates to higher insurance costs. 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. So what can you do about it?

Many states offer drivers the option to go to some sort of traffic school. Upon completion of the class, the violation is dropped and no points are added to your record. There is usually a fee for traffic school that 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.

You can pay the ticket. You will probably see an increase in your auto insurance costs.

You can fight the ticket. Of course if you lose, you will pay all of the necessary fines and court costs plus increased insurance costs.

If the traffic violation ends up on your record, it could affect your 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.

If your car insurance does increase, you may want to do some comparison quote shopping to see if you can get a lower rate. A convenient way to do this is to visit an insurance comparison Web site. You can enter your information once into an online quote form and get several quotes back.

You also might consider increasing your deductibles for a time. A higher deductible usually brings you a lower premium.

you're subject to higher auto insurance rates. Even if you accept responsibility and rightfully deserved your tickets, don't be a prisoner to your insurance company. You have the right to shop around and avoid insurance rates that may seem excessive. Tickets and Moving Violations: Don’t Be a Prisoner to Your Insurance Company.

In most states, traffic violations remain on your driving record for three years, although some states keep them for as long as five. Interestingly, many drivers continue to pay high insurance rates for infractions that have since fallen off their record. Don't expect insurance companies to simultaneously lower your premiums with magical synchronicity according to your driving record. They generally only check driving records when you first apply for a policy, therefore; the responsibility rests on you alone to maximize your savings.

Americans drive almost 3 trillion highway miles a year. In all this activity, moving violations will happen as we're all capable of making poor driving decisions. Regardless, it is essential that you try to keep tickets off your record. Although drivers typically experience modest increases in their insurance premiums from their first moving violation, premiums can skyrocket with any additional infractions. Depending on the nature of your violation, most states will allow you to take traffic school in exchange for a dismissal of the ticket. When you have the opportunity to do so, take it. Alternatively, if you feel that your moving violation is not warranted, and can be explained to a judge, challenge the ticket in traffic court. It is believed by many that simply making the effort to appear in traffic court can improve your likelihood of having your fines reduced, if not dismissed entirely. Keep in mind however, even though a fine may be reduced or eliminated by the court, a moving violation may still be added to your driving record.

Insurance companies statistically correlate your moving violations to the likelihood of you filing an insurance claim in the future. At its simplest: if you have tickets, you're probably a riskier driver that will experience higher car insurance rates. However, the same policy can vary by hundreds of dollars from company to company. If you have any moving violations on your driving record, it is in your best interest to shop around and see if you can find a more reasonable rate. You should compare auto insurance rates at least every six months, regardless of your driving record, as insurance companies are always adjusting rates. 

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