Texting While Driving: Insurance Impact Of Ticket Offenses

Texting while driving is illegal in almost every state in the US, with only Montana having no law against it and Missouri only outlawing it for drivers under 21. If you are caught, you will likely receive a ticket and a fine, and your car insurance rates may go up. The impact of a texting ticket on your insurance depends on your insurance company and the laws in your state. On average, a texting ticket will increase your insurance rates by 28%, but this can vary between 9% and 51% depending on the state.

Texting while driving is illegal in almost all states

The impact of a texting ticket on your insurance depends on your insurance company and state laws. On average, rates increase by 28% for drivers with a texting ticket, but this can vary from 9% to 51% depending on the state and insurer. For example, California has the greatest average increase at 51%, while New York has the smallest at 9%. In addition to higher insurance rates, drivers who text and drive may also face fines, with penalties varying from state to state. These fines can range from $20 for a first-time offence in California to over $200 in other states.

Some states, such as Idaho and North Carolina, do not change car insurance rates after a ticket for texting. However, in states with a point system, a texting ticket will result in points on your driver's license, which can lead to license suspension if accumulated. These points are not permanent and will be removed after a certain period of violation-free driving. Additionally, some states offer the opportunity to remove points by taking a sanctioned defensive driving course.

The length of time that a texting ticket stays on your record also varies by state. For example, in Virginia, a citation for using a handheld device remains on your record for two years, while in Wisconsin, it stays for five years. It is important to check with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to understand the specific laws and consequences of texting while driving.

A texting ticket will likely increase insurance rates

Texting while driving is illegal in almost every state, with Montana being the only state with no law, and Missouri only outlawing the act for drivers under 21. As such, a texting ticket will likely increase your insurance rates, although the extent of the increase depends on the insurance company and state laws.

Insurance companies raise rates for drivers who display risky behavior, and texting while driving is considered a dangerous distraction that increases the chances of an accident. The average percentage rate increase after a texting ticket is 28%, but this can range from 9% to 51% depending on the state and insurer. For example, California has the greatest average increase at 51%, while New York has the smallest at 9%.

In addition to the financial burden of increased insurance rates, receiving a texting ticket can also result in fines that vary from state to state. First-time violations can range from less than $100 to over $200, and some states may even impose temporary license suspension or jail time.

The impact of a texting ticket on your insurance rates can be long-lasting. In some states, the ticket will remain on your driving record for several years, and during this time, you may be classified as a high-risk driver, which can further affect your insurance costs.

While the exact consequences of a texting ticket may vary, it is clear that this violation is taken seriously by insurance companies and state authorities. The best way to avoid the financial and legal repercussions of texting while driving is to refrain from this behavior altogether and stay focused on the road.

The increase depends on state laws and insurers

Texting while driving is illegal in almost every state in the US. Only Montana has no law prohibiting this, while Missouri outlaws it only for drivers under 21. As such, drivers caught texting while driving will likely face fines, and their insurance rates may also increase. The increase in insurance rates depends on state laws and insurers.

In some states, such as Idaho and North Carolina, car insurance rates remain unchanged after a ticket for texting. However, in most states, a texting ticket will increase your insurance rates, with the average increase being around 28% to 32%. The increase can range from 9% to 51%, depending on the state and the insurance company. For example, California has the highest average increase at 51%, while New York has the smallest at 9%.

The impact of a texting ticket on insurance rates also depends on the specific laws in each state regarding cell phone and hands-free device usage while driving. Some states have a point system, where each traffic violation results in points on the driver's license. These points can lead to license suspension if they accumulate. A texting ticket may add points to a driver's record, which can then increase insurance premiums.

Additionally, some insurance companies may consider a single texting ticket as a sign of risky behaviour, which can lead to higher premiums. This is because texting while driving increases the chances of an accident, and accidents cost money for insurance companies. Therefore, insurers may hike premiums to account for the increased risk associated with distracted driving behaviours.

It is worth noting that the length of time a texting ticket stays on your record varies from state to state. For example, in Virginia, a citation for using a handheld device remains on your record for two years, while in Wisconsin, most traffic violation convictions remain on your record for five years. Checking with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles can help determine how long a texting ticket will impact your driving record.

Points on your license can lead to suspension

Texting while driving is an offence in almost every state, with only Montana having no law against it and Missouri only outlawing it for drivers under 21. As such, receiving a ticket for texting while driving will likely increase your insurance rates, though the extent of the increase will depend on your insurance company and state laws. For example, California has the greatest average increase at 51%, while New York has the smallest at 9%.

In addition to the financial penalty of receiving a ticket, you may also receive points on your license. The number of points varies from state to state, with some states not assigning any points for texting while driving violations. For example, California, Delaware, Iowa, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Tennessee do not assign points for these violations. On the other hand, Missouri assigns two points for a texting while driving violation.

Accumulating too many points on your license can lead to suspension. In Missouri, for example, accruing four points in a twelve-month period will result in a letter of warning from the Department of Revenue. If a driver accrues more than eight points in an eighteen-month period, their license will be suspended. Similarly, accumulating twelve points in twelve months, eighteen points in twenty-four months, or twenty-four points in thirty-six months will result in a license revocation.

The impact of points on your license extends beyond potential suspension. Points on your license can also affect your car insurance rates, as insurance companies consider drivers with points to be higher-risk. This increased risk assessment can lead to higher insurance premiums. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of your state's laws regarding cell phone and hands-free device usage while driving to avoid points and the associated consequences.

Texting while driving is considered a high-risk behaviour

The reason for this increase is that insurance companies raise rates for drivers who display risky behaviour. Texting while driving is a dangerous form of distracted driving that increases the chances of an accident. In fact, even sending a quick text like "C U soon" while driving dramatically increases your chance of having an accident. As accidents cost money, insurers see texting as risky behaviour that will increase the likelihood of them having to pay out in the future.

In addition to the car insurance rate increase, you will face a fine if you are ticketed for texting while driving. These fines vary from state to state, ranging from $20 for a first-time offence in California to over $200 in other states. In some states, fines can even reach $10,000 for a first-time offence, and they can potentially triple once other assessments are added. In some states, you can also face jail time.

The impact of a texting ticket on your insurance premium may also depend on whether you accrue points on your driving licence. In some states, texting while driving falls under the umbrella of distracted driving, while in others, it stands alone. Even if points are not added to your licence, your car insurance rates may still go up, as the ticket will appear on your driving record. In some states, you can take a sanctioned defensive driving course to have a texting ticket removed from your record.

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