Your First Ticket: Understanding Car Insurance Risk Estimates
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?
One factor that insurance companies will look at when deciding on a rate change is the policy holderas previous driving record. If you have had a policy with them for a long period of time and this is your first ticket, your insurance will usually not go up too drastically. However, new policy holders who receive a ticket soon after taking out automobile insurance could have a significant rate increase.
Another factor that insurance companies will consider is the policy holderas age. Younger drivers tend to have higher rates anyway. Younger drivers who receive a ticket should expect a significant rate increase because the insurance companies view such a record as a large risk.
automobile insurance carriers will also take into consideration the type of violation. Speeding tickets are very common, so they will examine how fast the driver was actually going and how much the driver was going over the speed limit. If the ticket was written for another violation, the insurance company will make a decision based on the seriousness and potential for risk the violation carries.
If your ticket was written as a result of a wreck you caused, expect your insurance to increase significantly. This is true no matter what your age or previous driving record. Anytime a driver causes damages to their own car, someone elseas car, or property, the insurance company must pay money and you become an insurance risk.
Many people do not know that tickets can be dismissed and will not go on your driving record. If the violation is not too serious, the courts will dismiss the ticket in some cases and the driver will only be responsible for paying court costs. Not all tickets are dismissed and the process also varies from state to state.
If you are one of the many Americans without car insurance, it is in your best interest to obtain insurance as soon as possible. . Insurance companies like Allstate and Progressive Direct offer a car insurance estimate online or over the phone. Make sure the information you give while obtaining a car insurance estimate is accurate. Also, check with many companies for a car insurance estimate to ensure you are getting the best deal.
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.