Jane Dotson
Civil infractions, such as speeding, illegal parking, or racing, are often categorised as criminal or non-criminal traffic citations. These infractions can have a significant impact on insurance rates as they are added to your driving record and can result in you being deemed a high-risk driver. While non-moving violations, such as parking tickets, typically do not affect insurance rates, moving violations can lead to substantial increases in insurance premiums and even policy cancellation. The impact of civil infractions on insurance varies based on state laws, the severity of the violation, and individual insurance companies' policies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Non-moving violations | Unlikely to affect insurance rates |
| Moving violations | Likely to affect insurance rates |
| Severity of the violation | More severe violations lead to higher insurance rates |
| Number of violations | More violations lead to higher insurance rates |
| State of residence | Some states forbid insurance companies from considering certain violations |
| Insurance company | Each company treats violations differently |
| Time since violation | Violations further back in time have less impact on insurance rates |
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What You'll Learn
Speeding violations
In most states, speeding tickets add points to your driving record, and these points can remain for one to five years. In Nevada, for instance, speeding violations can add one to five points to your record, depending on your speed. While insurers don't directly factor points into your car insurance rate, accumulating a significant number of points can indicate a higher risk and may result in increased rates.
The impact of a speeding ticket on your insurance also depends on the laws and practices of your state and insurer. In certain states, a speeding ticket can remain on your record permanently, while in others, it may be automatically removed after two to five years. Some insurers may not raise rates after a single speeding violation, while others may significantly increase your premium. According to one source, insurance rates increased by upwards of 10% for a six-month policy after the first speeding ticket in three years.
In Michigan, a speeding ticket increases insurance rates by an average of 26%, which is higher than in other states. GEICO's rates in Michigan jump by 110%, while Allstate's rates rise by 23%. If you have two or fewer points on your record in Michigan, you can take a Basic Driver Improvement Course to avoid insurance rate increases, but you will still need to pay the ticket and any court costs.
It's worth noting that traffic camera tickets typically don't affect insurance rates in most states, but you will likely have to pay a fine. Additionally, if you receive a speeding ticket, you may lose any "safe driving" discounts offered by your insurer.
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Moving violations
In Michigan, a speeding ticket will increase insurance rates by 26% on average. Other states have different penalties for speeding violations. For instance, GEICO's rates in Michigan jump by 110%, while Allstate's rates rise by 23%. In Pennsylvania, a speeding ticket can lead to a 15% increase in insurance rates, while in North Carolina, the same offence can result in a 50% increase.
Other moving violations that can increase insurance rates include running a red light, failure to stop or yield, and driving under the influence (DUI). A DUI conviction is considered a serious offence and can lead to substantial increases in insurance rates, with potential policy cancellation. The most expensive violation is leaving the scene of an accident, which can increase insurance rates by an average of 95% or more.
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Non-moving violations
While non-moving violations are generally less concerning for insurance companies, they can still reflect on your driving habits and multiple offenses could raise concerns. For example, repeatedly ignoring a fix-it ticket could lead to fines, license suspension, or even a ticket for having no insurance if your coverage lapses. Additionally, some insurers may consider multiple non-moving violations as a sign of risky behaviour and adjust insurance costs accordingly.
The impact of non-moving violations on insurance rates can also vary depending on the state and insurer. Some states may treat certain non-moving violations as minor infractions, which could result in a rate increase. Therefore, it is important to understand the laws and penalties associated with non-moving violations in your specific state.
It is worth noting that while non-moving violations may not directly affect insurance rates, they can still have financial implications. Non-moving violations typically involve fines, and if left unpaid, can result in additional penalties and complications. Therefore, it is advisable to address non-moving violations promptly to avoid unnecessary costs and potential consequences on your driving record.
In summary, while non-moving violations typically do not impact insurance rates, they should not be ignored. It is important to address these violations by paying any associated fines and making the necessary corrections. By staying proactive and maintaining a clean driving record, you can help minimise any potential impact on your insurance costs and avoid unnecessary complications.
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Minor offences
The effect of a civil infraction on insurance rates depends on the state and insurer. For instance, some states treat texting tickets as minor moving violations, resulting in higher insurance rates, while other states forbid insurers from considering these tickets when setting rates. Additionally, some insurers may not increase rates for the first violation, but rates are likely to rise for subsequent violations within a certain period.
The severity of the infraction also plays a role in determining insurance rates. Minor offences like a rolling stop may not significantly impact premiums, but more serious offences like driving under the influence can lead to substantial increases or even policy cancellation. Accumulating points on a driving record due to multiple infractions can further increase insurance rates, as insurers may consider drivers with higher points as high-risk.
It is worth noting that non-moving violations, such as parking tickets, typically do not affect insurance rates as they are unrelated to driving ability. However, if left unaddressed, these violations may impact insurance costs. Overall, understanding the different types of infractions and their potential consequences is crucial for managing insurance rates and maintaining a clean driving record.
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Traffic citations
Moving vs. Non-Moving Violations
Severity of the Offense
The severity of the traffic violation plays a crucial role in determining its impact on insurance rates. Minor offenses, like driving slightly over the speed limit, may result in minimal or no increase in insurance rates, especially for drivers with a clean record. However, more serious offenses, such as driving under the influence (DUI), can lead to substantial spikes in insurance premiums or even policy cancellation.
State Regulations and Insurer Policies
The impact of traffic citations on insurance also depends on state regulations and individual insurer policies. Each state has different rules regarding how long violations stay on a driving record and how points are assigned to licenses. For example, in Nevada, speeding violations can add one to five points to a driving record, and insurers may consider drivers with higher points as high-risk, potentially leading to higher insurance rates. Additionally, some states ban insurance companies from considering specific violations when setting rates, while others may treat them as minor moving violations, resulting in rate increases.
Number of Citations
The accumulation of multiple traffic citations within a short period can significantly impact insurance rates. While a first-time violation may not affect insurance rates, insurers often increase premiums for drivers with two or more citations within a specific timeframe, typically two to three years.
Location-Based Variations
The impact of traffic citations on insurance rates can vary depending on the state and even the ZIP code. For example, in Michigan, a speeding ticket increases insurance rates by an average of 26%, which is higher than in other states.
In summary, traffic citations can influence insurance rates, but the extent of the impact depends on various factors, including the type of violation, its severity, state regulations, individual insurer policies, and the number of citations accumulated. It is always advisable to maintain a clean driving record and practice safe driving habits to avoid potential increases in insurance premiums.
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Frequently asked questions
Civil infractions do not result in jail time and do not go on your criminal record. However, they will still affect your driving record and will likely raise the cost of your insurance.
The average premium increase after a speeding ticket was $1,380 over three years. In Michigan, the average increase is 26%.
Some common civil citations are issued for speeding, unsafe lane changes, marked lanes violation, following too closely, failure to stop/yield, and failure to signal lights violation.
Speeding tickets may drop off your driving record within 3-5 years, depending on how long your state keeps violations on its records.
Taking a driver improvement course can help mitigate the cost of insurance rate increases. Additionally, a traffic court attorney can help provide legal representation to ensure you only pay the minimum penalties.
