Many people will experience that sinking feeling when they see a police car in their mirror and realize they’re well over the speed limit. You’re not alone; but after you’ve paid the fine, how much will you have to pay to your insurance company for that moment of carelessness?
The good news is that insurance companies don’t lump all speeders together. A driver with a long and clean history up until the ticket may well not be punished too much by higher premiums. But don’t expect that to be true if you’ve only held your insurance for a couple of months.
It pays to be old and experienced too. Young drivers are universally viewed as worse risks, and a speeding ticket only reinforces the insurance companies’ prejudice against the inexperienced. If you’re young and new to driving it’s more important than ever that you abide by the rules of the road - it will pay off in large savings in time to come.
The companies also take into account the exact nature of the violation: the amount over the speed limit, as well as how high the total speed was clocked. All these elements have a role in dictating the driver’s level of risk.
For instance, did your bad driving result in a car wreck? If so, expect your insurance to go up dramatically regardless of how good a record you had in the past. You insurer has just had to dip into his own pocket to pay for your carelessness, and he’ll now want to make back the money he just lost.
On the other hand, it is a relatively little known fact that tickets can be dismissed and excluded from your driving record by a court. Courts often dismiss tickets for smaller violations, with the driver only having to pay court costs. Check out the exact situation in your state.
Make sure you’re covered. Too many Americans put themselves and others at risk by driving uninsured. Insurance is easier to arrange now that ever, with Allstate and Progressive Direct, among others, offering online and over the phone insurance options. Make sure you visit a few different sites so you can make sure you get the best deal for you. Prices will vary greatly from company to company, so don’t go with the first one to give you a quote.
Nobody enjoys getting a ticket, but if you do, it may not result in an insurance increase beyond what you can afford to pay. It’s a good idea to find out how your insurer handles traffic tickets when you first take out a policy, so you know what to expect once those blue flashing lights have faded into the distance.
