How Traffic Tickets Affect Your Insurance

Traffic tickets can notably increase your rate for car insurance. It just depends on the violation.

If you want to avoid penalties for a traffic ticket violation, you need to speak to an attorney experienced in traffic tickets. An attorney will review your case to see if they can help you avoid the fine. Your best bet is to call a traffic ticket attorney to find out your rights and options.

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Examples of Traffic Tickets and Moving Violations

Traffic inspector in Snegiri, Russia, on March 14, 2014, conducting a roadside document check for a car driver, highlighting law enforcement duties.

Traffic tickets that affect insurance rates are normally classified as moving violations. These violations include speeding, for instance, or running a red light.

If you’re caught speeding, your insurance can increase by about 50 percent. Repeat the violation, and you’ll experience even higher increases.

Or, if you run a red light and are stopped, your insurance costs can go up as much as 95 percent. Also, this violation can add 3 points to your insurance record. Even one point can increase your insurance by as much as 30 percent. Two points can escalate your payment by 45 percent.

How Insurance Companies Determine Increases

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An insurance company looks at the seriousness of a violation and your driving record when they set your insurance premiums. Small errors, like speeding slightly, may not increase the rate by all that much. However, more serious violations, such as driving under the influence (DUI) or causing a crash, will cause your insurance rates to spike.

How a Traffic Ticket Attorney Can Help

You can challenge a traffic ticket by seeking the help of a traffic ticket defense lawyer. Doing so can help reduce charges or even get the ticket dismissed. It is a good step to take if you want to prevent steep insurance rate hikes.

How Tickets Affect Your Insurance

Traffic tickets may entail more than just the fine, especially when it comes to your insurance. Knowing how violations affect your rates and what you can do to fight tickets can save you thousands of dollars over time.

Most Expensive Moving Violations

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is one of the most costly moving violations, resulting in a 90 percent premium increase in some states. Insurance companies regard this as a strong indicator of high-risk behavior.

Passing a Stopped School Bus

This serious offense can result in an 80 percent premium increase in some areas. Since children are involved, insurance companies view this as a big deal.

Speeding 11 to 15 MPH Over the Limit

In some states, you can increase your insurance premium by about 50 percent just by speeding. Heed your speed because too many speeding tickets can lead to a license suspension, such as speeding to avoid arrest, and speeding in a school zone.

DWI/DUI

A DWI conviction can result in a maximum 340 percent premium increase in certain regions. This increase typically stays in effect for 3 years.

Following Too Closely

This offense can result in a 45 percent premium increase because it’s associated with rear-end collisions, the most common type of accident.

How an Attorney Can Help Fight Your Ticket

Negotiating Charges Down

A male client sits across from a prosecutor in a professional office setting, gesturing with his hand as he explains a point of concern. The prosecutor, dressed formally, listens attentively while reviewing a document, possibly a contract, spread out on the desk. The desk is cluttered with legal papers, a laptop, and a pen, emphasizing the consultancy setting. The atmosphere is serious and focused.

Experienced traffic attorneys often negotiate with prosecutors to reduce a client’s charges. For example, an attorney can do the following:

Reduce reckless driving (4 points) to improper equipment (0 points)

Dismiss a speeding ticket by agreeing to take a defensive driving course or pleading “not guilty” with an “emergency” or “road conditions” defense

Plea down following too closely to a lesser offense

Technical Defenses

Attorneys can challenge tickets on technical grounds by questioning the following:

Radar calibration records and certification
Officer training and qualifications
Proper traffic stop procedures
Speed-measuring equipment accuracy
Traffic control device visibility

Improper Equipment Pleas

Attorneys often negotiate “improper equipment” pleas, which:

Carry no insurance points
Don’t go on your driving record
Cost more in court fees but save thousands in insurance increases

Dismissals Through Deferral Programs

Many attorneys can get eligible drivers into deferral programs. Therefore, clients may be required to:

Take a defensive driving course
Keep a clean record during the probationary period

By agreeing to a deferral program, a ticketed driver may have their charge dismissed, which will not affect their insurance.

Long-Term Financial Impact

Three-Year Premium Effect

Traffic violations affect insurance rates for 3 years. Consider a driver paying $1,000 annually who gets a reckless driving ticket:

Year 1: $1,900 ($900 increase)
Year 2: $1,900 ($900 increase)
Year 3: $1,900 ($900 increase)

Total three-year impact: $2,700 in extra premiums

Hidden Costs

Beyond the premium increase, tickets can:

Limit your ability to shop for better rates
Affect employment opportunities that require a clean driving record
Result in a license suspension if points add up
Require SR-22 insurance

Preventive Measures

Defensive Driving Courses

Prevent points from being assessed
May qualify for insurance discounts
Improves your driving skills and awareness

Safe Driver Programs

Some insurance companies offer monitoring programs
Can result in premium discounts
Help you develop better driving habits

When to Hire a Traffic Ticket Attorney

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Hire an attorney when:

Facing the addition of more insurance points
You have multiple tickets in 3 years
You’re a commercial driver’s license holder
Have previous driving record issues
When you’re involved in an accident, or there are injuries involved

Traffic Tickets are Serious

Traffic tickets can cost a lot through insurance increases. One serious ticket can cost thousands of dollars over 3 years. The cost of hiring a good traffic ticket attorney is often cheaper than the long-term insurance costs of a conviction.

Before you pay any ticket, talk to a traffic attorney who knows the court system and how you can beat a traffic ticket in court. They can help get reduced charges and use deferral programs to keep your record clean and prevent significant insurance increases.

Speak to a Traffic Ticket Attorney if You’ve Recently Received a Ticket

Remember, prevention is the best medicine. Keep your record clean, and you’ll have options if you get a future ticket. If you have received a ticket, speak to a Criminal justice attorney to see if you can avoid an increase in your insurance rates.