Top 5 traffic tickets that can increase your car insurance rates

Car insurance rates are different for every person according to driving record, age, credit history, type of vehicle, location, etc. The best way to reduce the cost of car insurance is to maintain a good driving record. Traffic violations and accidents in the driving record increase the cost of the car insurance policy. If you have traffic violations and accidents in your driving record then you are the riskier driver for the car insurance company and are likely to file more insurance claims. Traffic violations affect your car insurance premiums for 3–5 years when your insurer becomes aware of the incident and if you file a claim to recover the cost of damages.

Some traffic tickets can increase your car insurance rates.

Texting and driving

If you have been ticketed for texting while driving then it may raise your car insurance premiums to 20%. You should avoid texting at the time of driving and it increases the chances of accidents. Your annual cost of car insurance policy may increase by $300.

Speeding tickets

Speeding tickets can increase your car insurance rates by $350. You should follow speed limits to avoid speeding tickets.

Driving under the influence

Driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drugs can increase the chances of accidents. Driving under the influence ticket can increase your car insurance rates by 70–75%. The cost of car insurance policy may annually increase $1080 if you have been ticketed for driving under the influence (DUI). Driving under the influence can also be dangerous for you and other drivers on the road. A person who drives under the influence of alcohol or other drugs cannot concentrate on driving.

At-fault collision

If you caused an accident then it may increase the cost of car insurance by 35–40%. It may increase the car insurance premiums by $625 per year.

No seatbelt

A no seatbelt ticket can increase your car insurance rates by $60–70 per year. To avoid no seatbelt ticket you should wear a seatbelt while driving your vehicle.

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Other traffic tickets that can increase your car insurance rates

Following are some other traffic tickets that can increase your car insurance rates.

Crossing a red light

A red light ticket can increase your car insurance rates by 20–25%. If you cross a red light then your car insurance premiums may increase up to $340. To avoid a red light ticket you should stop at the red lights.

Not at-fault collision

If you are not at fault in the accident but file an insurance claim that may increase your car increase rates up to $100. If the accidents are minor then you should avoid filing insurance claims because it will negatively impact your car insurance rates. It is good to pay for the cost of damages from your pocket if the accident is minor and the cost of damages is not much.

Driving without car insurance

This ticket can increase your car insurance rates by 20%. You should drive with proof of car insurance policy. Driving without car insurance violates the law.

Careless driving

This ticket can increase your car insurance rates by 15–20%. Careless driving can also increase the severity of accidents. You should drive carefully to avoid traffic violations.

Improper turns

This ticket can increase your car insurance rates by 15%. To avoid improper turn tickets you should turn carefully.

Driving in a carpool lane

This ticket can increase your car insurance rates by 15–20%.

You should do the following things if you get traffic tickets:

After getting traffic tickets to save on car insurance policy you should do the following things:

Take a defensive driving course

If you get traffic tickets immediately join a defensive driving course because this course helps to improve the driving skills. You can get a defensive driving discount which can reduce your car insurance rates.

Compare auto insurance quotes

Traffic tickets can increase your car insurance rates. You can find the cheap insurance policy by comparing the auto insurance quotes from different auto insurance companies. Different auto insurance providers provide auto insurance policies at different rates to the drivers with traffic violations in their driving records. You can compare the rates of different auto insurance policies to select the best auto insurance policy.

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