For starters, there’s the fear that comes with being pulled over, even if you’re the goodiest goody-two-shoes out there. Then, there’s the 15 or 20 minutes that’s taken from your busy life while the officer checks your paperwork and writes the ticket. And if you’re lucky enough to get nabbed near home, there’s also the embarrassment of your bust being seen by friends and neighbors. And let’s not forget the fine, which can be well into the three-figures, depending on why you were stopped.
Most people they pay the fine and think that’s it… not exactly. There may be another price to pay. The bigger question is “how will a moving violation affect your insurance rates?” And the answer, unfortunately, is “that depends”.
Not surprisingly, the most damaging offense would be a DUI, causing insurance rates to increase an average of 93%. That is not too unexpected though because those violations suggest a pattern of behavior that reflects poorly on the driver. Insurance companies base their rates on experience, so violations that cause premiums to jump the most are those that are strong indicators that the driver is likely to have an accident in the future. Most other violations have a lower, but still substantial and impactful, rate increase. Here’s a list of possible traffic violations, and the average premium increases they bring:
- DUI — 93%
- Reckless Driving — 82%
- Speeding 31+ mph Over The Limit — 30%
- Speeding 16 to 30 mph Over The Limit — 28%
- Careless Driving — 27%
- Speeding 1 to 15 mph Over The Limit — 21%
- Failure to Stop — 19%
- Failure to Yield to Pedestrians — 19%
- Driving in a Carpool Lane — 18%
*Data from a recent study by InsuranceQuotes.com to determine how citations can affect premiums.
Next time you get behind the wheel, think about your actions and how they will impact you. And remember to drive safe!
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