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

February 9, 2007 | By: | Comments (1) | Posted in: Auto

When you shop for car insurance, one of the first questions you will be asked is: “Have you had any moving violations (tickets) in the last 3 years?” If the answer is ‘yes,' you should take comfort in knowing that you're not alone. In fact, you have a lot in common with millions of drivers: 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

For drivers that already pay for moving violations in their current auto insurance policy, shopping around for a new policy could uncover significant savings. Although having multiple violations on your driving record can limit your selection of insurance companies, don't believe that finding affordable car insurance is as intimidating as appearing in traffic court and paying fines. To the contrary, there are companies that specialize in insuring high risk drivers at reasonable prices. The only way to identify such companies though, is to compare multiple quotes from multiple companies.

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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