Auto Insurance Woes: Tickets And Their Impact On Rates

Getting a ticket can have a significant impact on your auto insurance rates in North Carolina. The increase in insurance premiums can last for three years following a conviction. The severity of the violation, your driving history, and the number of insurance points will determine the exact increase in your insurance premium. For example, a speeding ticket of 69 mph in a 55 mph zone will result in a 65% increase in insurance premium. A minor speeding ticket might increase your rates slightly, but repeated offenses or speeding in a school zone can lead to higher increases. On average, drivers in North Carolina see their insurance rates increase by about 48% after a speeding ticket.

How much will my insurance go up?

The increase in your insurance premium may last for three years following a conviction. The amount of the increase depends on the number of insurance points your conviction carries. For example, if you are convicted of going 69 mph in a 55 mph zone, you would receive three insurance points, which could result in a 65% increase in your insurance premium.

Below is a chart reflecting the possible increase in insurance premiums per the number of insurance points assessed. Please note that this is an estimate and not an exact determination of the surcharge that could be added to your insurance cost.

• One insurance point = 25% increase
• Two insurance points = 45% increase
• Three insurance points = 65% increase
• Four insurance points = 90% increase
• Five insurance points = 120% increase
• Six insurance points = 150% increase
• Seven insurance points = 180% increase
• Eight insurance points = 220% increase
• Nine insurance points = 260% increase
• Ten insurance points = 300% increase
• Eleven insurance points = 350% increase
• Twelve insurance points = 400% increase

In North Carolina, a minor speeding ticket might increase your rates slightly, but repeated offenses or speeding in a school zone can lead to higher increases. The average increase for drivers in North Carolina is about 48% after a speeding ticket. The average annual cost for full coverage jumps from $1,705 to $2,520. This increase is significantly higher than the national average, where rates typically rise by 21% following a speeding ticket.

In North Carolina, speeding tickets generally stay on your driving record for three years from the conviction date. During this time, you’ll likely see your car insurance rates increase. However, car insurance rates are influenced by multiple factors, and you could implement strategies to potentially reduce insurance costs in the meantime or remove the points from your record faster.

North Carolina allows drivers to request a ticket reduction, either in court or online, if done at least seven days before the court date. If your court date is mandatory or you choose to appear, you have options that could help mitigate the financial impact of a speeding ticket. The judge may reduce the severity of your ticket, lowering the fine and the points added to your insurance record.

You could also contest the speeding ticket and plead not guilty, but doing so without legal counsel may be challenging. Hiring local legal counsel could improve your chances, and the cost may be lower than the longer-term insurance hikes a speeding conviction may cause.

How serious is the violation?

The seriousness of a violation is a key factor in determining how much your insurance rates will increase. Minor speeding tickets, for example, typically result in a smaller increase compared to more severe violations. Driving under the influence (DUI) or causing a crash are considered serious violations that can lead to a significant increase in insurance rates or even a cancellation of your policy. Reckless driving, hit-and-run collisions, and speeding in excess of certain limits are also categorized as serious violations, resulting in substantial rate hikes.

The impact of a violation on your insurance rates is influenced by the number of points assessed. For instance, one insurance point can increase rates by around 30%, while two points can lead to a 45% increase. As the number of points increases, the rate hike becomes more significant.

In North Carolina, the point system is standardized across all insurance companies, with one point typically assigned for speeding up to 10 mph over the limit. More severe speeding violations, such as exceeding the limit by 16-25 mph, can result in three points, leading to a 60% increase in insurance rates.

It's worth noting that the increase in insurance rates may last for three years following the conviction. Therefore, maintaining a clean driving record is crucial for keeping insurance costs manageable.

Your driving history

In North Carolina, a single speeding ticket can increase average premiums by around 50%. The more tickets you accumulate, the higher your rates will be. The same is true for other types of traffic violations, such as running a red light or stop sign, reckless driving, and DUI or DWI convictions.

The specific impact of a speeding ticket on your insurance will depend on how fast you were driving over the speed limit. In NC, speeding tickets generally stay on your driving record for three years from the conviction date. During this time, your insurance rates may increase. However, you can take a defensive driving or driver improvement course to reduce the points on your record and potentially lower your insurance rates.

In addition to your driving record, insurance companies may also consider other factors such as your age, policy, location, and credit score when determining your rates.

Insurance points

In North Carolina, insurance points are assigned based on the severity of the violation. For example, speeding 10 mph or less over the limit results in one point, while speeding more than 25 mph over the limit results in four points. These points can lead to a significant increase in insurance premiums. For instance, three insurance points for speeding could result in a 65% increase in insurance rates.

It's important to note that insurance companies don't solely rely on points when determining rates. They also consider other factors, such as claims and driving history, which can include incidents like DUIs or DWIs. Additionally, insurance companies may have different policies and criteria for determining rates, and the impact of points on your insurance may vary depending on the company.

In North Carolina, points remain on your record for three years. During this time, it's essential to maintain a clean driving record to avoid further increases in your insurance rates. If you accumulate multiple speeding tickets or other traffic violations, your license may also be suspended under North Carolina's point system.

Fighting a speeding ticket

A speeding ticket in North Carolina can increase your insurance premium by around 50% and can remain on your record for up to three years. Therefore, it is important to know your options for fighting a speeding ticket.

Plead Not Guilty

To start the process of fighting your speeding ticket, you must plead "not guilty" in person with the North Carolina court overseeing your case. The deadline to enter your plea and the specific court you need to notify will be printed on your citation. After accepting your plea, the court will assign you a date for a pre-trial conference or a trial before a judge or jury.

Pre-Trial Conference

If you receive a pre-trial conference, you (or your attorney) and a North Carolina state prosecutor will attempt to work out a plea agreement. This usually involves changing your plea to "guilty" in exchange for reduced penalties. A plea agreement can help you avoid the time and hassle of going to trial.

Trial Before a Judge or Jury

If you cannot reach a plea agreement, your case will go to trial before a judge or jury. This will involve opening arguments, rebuttals and/or witness cross-examinations, and closing arguments from both sides. If you are found guilty, the judge will administer your sentence. You have the right to appeal the verdict by making an oral request to the judge or submitting a Notice of Appeal within 14 days of your judgment date.

Hire an Attorney

Consider hiring a traffic ticket attorney, especially if you are facing serious and/or multiple charges. An attorney can offer you the best legal advice and help you reach a plea bargain agreement for lesser charges if your citation cannot be dismissed.

Negotiate a Plea Bargain

On your trial date, before your case is called, you may have the chance to negotiate a plea bargain with the assistant district attorney. You may be able to exchange your moving violation for a guilty plea to a non-moving violation, preventing points from being added to your driving record and avoiding higher insurance premiums. The assistant district attorney may also give you a reduced charge if you complete certain conditions, such as a driver improvement course or community service hours.

Enroll in a Defensive Driving Course

Enrolling in and completing a defensive driving course can help reduce points from your driving record and lower your insurance rates. North Carolina state laws allow drivers with four points on an eight-point scale or seven points on a 12-point scale to take a course once every five years.

Frequently asked questions