Traffic Tickets: Impact On Insurance Across State Lines

Getting a ticket for a traffic violation can have several consequences, including fines and points on your license. While a single minor violation may not affect your insurance rate, multiple or serious offenses, such as reckless driving or speeding, can result in higher premiums. New York and New Jersey insurance companies determine rates based on various factors, including driving history, age, credit score, and location. In New York, a speeding ticket can increase your premium by an average of 15%, while in New Jersey, a speeding ticket can cost you points on your record and a fine, impacting your insurance for three years.

Speeding ticket fines in New York and New Jersey

In New Jersey, speeding ticket fines are slightly different and depend on how many mph the driver exceeded the speed limit. For instance, going 1-9 mph over the limit will result in an $85 fine, while going 35-39 mph over will cost $260. Fines are doubled for drivers exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph or more in a 65 mph zone or safe corridor. Accumulating six or more points worth of speeding tickets within three years will result in a surcharge of $150, plus an additional $25 for each point over six.

In both states, speeding tickets can have a substantial impact on car insurance premiums. Insurance companies often increase premiums for drivers with speeding convictions, considering them higher-risk. In New York, a speeding ticket can result in two points on the license of a New Jersey driver, which will be reported to their home state and affect their driving record and insurance rates. In New Jersey, a speeding ticket can increase insurance rates by an average of 21%, with some sources claiming an increase of up to 23% for minimum coverage and 13% for full coverage.

To mitigate the financial impact of speeding tickets, individuals in both states can consider hiring a lawyer to get the ticket reduced or dismissed. Lawyers can file an affidavit of hardship, allowing them to appear in court on behalf of their client and potentially reduce the charges or fines. Additionally, individuals can shop around for insurance quotes, as different companies may offer varying rates, even with a speeding ticket on record.

How a speeding ticket in New York or New Jersey affects your insurance rates

Speeding tickets are fairly common in both New York and New Jersey, but they can be indicators of risky driving habits. As a result, most insurance companies will increase your premium after a citation. However, the increase in rates after a speeding ticket varies with each insurance company, and some companies increase rates more drastically than others.

New York

In New York, drivers with a clean record pay a relatively high average rate for full coverage car insurance of $3,672. A ticket is likely to increase that rate further. New York insurance laws are clear on the penalties a driver incurs when they receive a speeding ticket. These include both civic fines and the possibility of jail time. In addition, your car insurance premiums are likely to increase by about 15% on average. New York car insurance rates are some of the highest in the country, with drivers paying an average of $1,585 for state-mandated minimum coverage and $3,672 for full coverage.

The two most significant factors for rates after getting a speeding ticket are your driving history and the severity of your speeding ticket. A speeding ticket of 10 mph or over is typically not going to affect your premium as much as 30 mph over. Drivers can expect to receive increased fines for repeat offenses within an 18-month window. Should a driver receive three or more speeding convictions within 18 months, license revocation is likely. In addition to fines, New York drivers also receive penalty points (also called New York insurance points) for each violation they are convicted of. In New York, drivers who receive 11 points within an 18-month period are subject to potentially having their license suspended.

New Jersey

In New Jersey, the average premium for car insurance will increase by 21% with a speeding ticket on your record. The cost of a speeding ticket can vary based on how many miles per hour (mph) a driver was going over the speed limit. Depending on the severity of your infraction and your past driving record, your license could be suspended or revoked, your vehicle could be impounded, and you may face jail time. A New Jersey driver with a clean record pays an average of $1,172 for state-mandated minimum coverage, while full coverage, which includes optional collision and comprehensive insurance, costs an average of $2,938. After a speeding ticket, the average costs rise to $1,440 for minimum and $3,309 for full coverage. That’s an increase of 23% and 13%, respectively.

In New Jersey, the number of points placed on your driving record after a speeding ticket depends on how fast you were driving. Speeding one to 14 mph over the limit results in two points, 15 to 29 mph over the limit can give you four points, and you can expect five points after a speeding conviction of 30 mph or higher.

The Driver's License Compact and its implications for New York and New Jersey drivers

New York and New Jersey are two of the 45 states that are members of the Driver's License Compact (DLC). The DLC is an agreement among member states to share information about driving-related arrests and convictions. This means that if a motorist licensed in one state is arrested or convicted in another, the state of conviction will notify the motorist's home state.

For New York drivers with a New Jersey traffic ticket, New York will rarely add points to their driving record. However, insurance companies have their own way of calculating rate increases, so a violation will likely result in higher insurance rates. New York drivers convicted of a New Jersey traffic ticket may also be required to pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA).

For New Jersey drivers with a New York traffic ticket, New Jersey will add two points to their driving record. New Jersey drivers may also face specific threats to their driving privileges, especially in the case of a DWI or DUI conviction. In this case, New Jersey will notify the driver's home state of the conviction, and they may lose their driving privileges in the State of New Jersey.

It's important to note that no state can require drivers to pay a double fine. Drivers will only have to pay the state in which they received the ticket. Additionally, New York and New Jersey insurance carriers will be able to see out-of-state convictions and may increase insurance rates as a result.

The process of disputing a speeding ticket in New York or New Jersey

If you have received a speeding ticket in New Jersey, you have two options: you can either plead guilty and pay the fine, or plead not guilty and dispute the ticket. Pleading guilty will result in points on your driver's license and increased insurance rates, and possibly a license suspension.

If you choose to dispute the ticket, you should consult a New Jersey municipal court attorney who can help you understand the potential consequences of the violation and whether you have a defence. They can also negotiate with the prosecutor for a plea deal to a lesser offence. You can also use the New Jersey Automobile Insurance Plan (NJAIP) if you can't find an auto insurance provider willing to cover you.

To dispute the ticket, you will need to prepare for your court hearing. This may involve gathering evidence such as witness statements or photographs. On the day of your hearing, arrive early and be prepared to wait. You can also choose to do a "plea by mail", which is a cost and time-saving method for out-of-state defendants.

In New York, you can dispute a ticket online, by mail, or via the Pay or Dispute mobile app. If you want to avoid an in-person hearing, you must request a hearing within 30 days of the ticket being issued. If you miss this deadline and are found guilty, you will have to pay late penalties. You can also contact NY Ticket Defenders, who can assist with a wide range of traffic violations and guide you through the process.

The consequences of multiple speeding tickets in New York or New Jersey

Speeding tickets in New York and New Jersey can have serious consequences, including fines, points on your license, increased insurance rates, and even license suspension or revocation.

In New Jersey, the cost of a speeding ticket can vary depending on how far over the speed limit the driver was going. For example, a ticket for going 1-9 mph over the limit might cost $85, while a ticket for going 35-39 mph over the limit could be as high as $260. Speeding tickets in New Jersey will also result in points being added to your driving record, with the number of points depending on the driver's speed. Accumulating 6 or more points within three years will result in a surcharge, an additional fee on top of the fine associated with the ticket. These points can stay on your record indefinitely and can impact your insurance rates, with some insurers potentially dropping coverage, leaving drivers with high-risk policies and higher premiums.

New York also has a point-based system for speeding tickets, with points remaining on a driver's license for as long as the conviction remains on their record (up to four years). An out-of-state driver who pays or is convicted in court of speeding in New York will likely have the conviction listed on their driving record, which could lead to license suspension and other consequences.

In both states, the specific consequences of multiple speeding tickets will depend on the number of tickets, the severity of the infractions, and the driver's past driving record. In general, multiple speeding tickets are likely to result in higher fines, more points on the driver's record, and significant increases in insurance rates. In New Jersey, a driver's license could be suspended or revoked, and their vehicle could be impounded. In New York, a license can be revoked if an individual is convicted of three speeding violations in 18 months.

It is important to note that both states offer ways to reduce the number of points on a driver's record, such as through defensive driving courses or improvement programs. Additionally, drivers in both states have the right to plead "not guilty" and fight the speeding ticket in court, which may help reduce the consequences.

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