Tickets and your auto insurance rates

Getting tickets, and the resultant auto insurance hikes can be pretty depressing. The economy has gotten seriously bad, and you literally cannot afford to drive fast or drink. When I was young, I broke my share of traffic laws. Never busted for DUI, although I was pulled over twice, once in Florida and once in California when I was actually drunk. I passed the field sobriety test. How, I don't know. But I had no business drinking and driving.

Your first ticket

There are too many individual factors to predict how much, if any, one speeding ticket will increase the insurance premiums for the entire family. California Traffic School is a must for a first offence. Just do it! But do not get another ticket after that or you will be considered a chronic offender. Premium increases will depend on the number of cars, number of drivers and their driving records, the insurance carrier, previous losses and state law.

If your are over twenty five and this is the only ticket on your record in the last three years it will make little difference on your auto insurance rates. Also Insurance companies do not necessarily review your driving record every year. Review when to disclose traffic school to your car insurance company.

• Motor vehicle records are checked when you first apply, renew and at periods particular to that company.
• It generally takes between 1-2 tickets to change your insurance rate. One ticket alone may not raise your insurance rates.
• If you receive multiple speeding tickets in a short amount of time your car insurance could easily double.
• Large increases will start with your second ticket. That is why it is important to keep any and all tickets off your record.
• Your carrier may eventually find your traffic ticket and possibly back date your premium payment.
• Speeding tickets stay on your driving record for several years.
• A DUI or reckless driving conviction could get your coverage canceled and make you uninsurable.
• You can expect one four point ticket to increase your insurance premiums by at least 50% for each of the next three years.
• Violations on your driving record can make you ineligible for discounts that help you save more money on auto insurance!
• Nearly all states share information about out-of-state driving infractions.
• Having a speeding ticket on your record could mean you’ll pay higher auto insurance rates for several years
• It usually takes several points in a 4-12 month period to get your license suspended in most states.
• Typically insurance companies only check high risk drivers and those who drive a company vehicle every year.

What to do when you get a ticket:

• In most cases just showing up on your court date will allow you to negotiate for a reduction in the fine and points.
• If you drive a company vehicle or have a CDL license, keep your driving record clean because your record is probably checked every year.
• In many cases it is cost effective to retain an attorney to challenge the ticket.
• Most states belong to the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NVRC) and Drivers License Compact (DLC) that requires them to share information about speeding tickets with your home state.
• Never call your insurance company and tell them you received a ticket.
• Never just pay an out of state speeding ticket because the officer promises that there will be no points. He does not know the laws in your state and many drivers have been surprised to find a four point violation on their record.
• Contesting your traffic ticket in court could improve your chances of getting your ticket dismissed, especially if you attend your hearing and the police officer that issued the ticket doesn’t show.
• Going to a California approved traffic school could remove a traffic violation from your record. If you get a speeding ticket be sure to find out if traffic school is an option.