Traffic violations can have a significant impact on your car insurance rates. When you’re involved in a traffic violation, insurance companies view you as a higher-risk driver, which often leads to an increase in your premiums. However, the exact impact depends on the type and severity of the violation, as well as your driving history. Here’s how traffic violations can affect your car insurance rates:

1. Types of Traffic Violations and Their Impact

Different traffic violations have different consequences for your car insurance. Here’s how common violations can impact your premiums:

Minor Violations

These are typically low-level infractions that don’t involve much risk or danger. While they may cause your rates to rise, the increase is usually smaller compared to more serious violations.

• Speeding (minor): If you’re caught speeding just a few miles over the limit, you might see a slight increase in your insurance rates. The exact increase depends on how many miles over the speed limit you were driving and your previous driving record.
• Failure to signal: Failing to use your turn signal or improper lane changes can result in a small rise in rates. These infractions are generally considered minor, but they still indicate a lack of caution while driving.
• Parking Violations: A ticket for parking in a no-parking zone, though frustrating, typically doesn’t affect your insurance rates. However, if you accumulate a significant number of parking tickets, it could signal a disregard for rules, possibly affecting your premium.

Serious Violations

More serious traffic violations can lead to a significant increase in premiums. These violations are considered riskier and signal to insurers that you’re more likely to be involved in an accident.

• Speeding (major): Excessive speeding, such as 20 miles per hour or more over the limit, is viewed as reckless driving and will likely cause a sharp increase in your rates.
• Reckless Driving: Reckless driving, which includes aggressive behaviors like tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or ignoring traffic signs, can lead to large premium increases and even result in your insurer dropping you.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI): A DUI conviction is one of the most severe violations you can receive. It not only leads to extremely high insurance premiums but can also result in your policy being non-renewed or canceled. A DUI conviction can stay on your record for several years (up to 10 years or more, depending on your state), causing long-term insurance rate increases.
• Running a Red Light/Stop Sign: Ignoring stop signs or traffic lights can result in higher premiums due to the increased risk of causing a crash. If you cause an accident while running a red light, the impact on your rates can be even worse.

Other Violations

There are other violations that fall somewhere between minor and serious, and the impact on your insurance will depend on the specific circumstances:

• Driving without a license: This is considered a serious violation and could lead to a premium increase. If you have a valid license but it’s expired or suspended, your rates may also go up.
• At-fault accidents: If you’re cited for causing an accident, your insurance company will likely raise your premiums, especially if the accident was severe or caused injuries.

2. How Much Do Traffic Violations Increase Your Insurance Rates?

The exact increase in your car insurance premiums depends on several factors, such as:

• Severity of the Violation: The more serious the violation, the higher the increase. A DUI could increase your rates by up to 100% or more, while a minor speeding ticket might only result in a 10% to 20% increase.
• Your Insurance Provider: Different insurance companies have different policies when it comes to rate increases after a traffic violation. Some may impose a larger increase, while others may be more lenient, especially if you’ve been a long-time customer with a clean record.
• Your Driving Record: If you have a history of safe driving and this is your first violation, the increase may be less severe. However, if you have multiple violations, your insurance company may consider you a high-risk driver and raise your premiums significantly.
• State Laws: The state you live in plays a role in how traffic violations affect your insurance. Some states have laws that limit how much an insurer can raise rates, while other states allow insurers to impose higher increases for violations.

3. How Long Do Traffic Violations Affect Your Insurance?

The length of time a traffic violation affects your car insurance rates depends on the violation and the insurer’s policies.

• Minor violations (like speeding tickets) usually stay on your driving record for about 3 years, but the effect on your rates may lessen over time.
• Serious violations (like DUIs or reckless driving) can affect your rates for much longer, sometimes 5 to 10 years. Even after the violation is no longer on your record, your insurer may continue to view you as a high-risk driver.

In many cases, your insurer may periodically review your record and adjust your rates accordingly, especially at policy renewal time.

4. How to Avoid Insurance Increases Due to Traffic Violations

If you’ve received a traffic violation and want to avoid a steep premium increase, here are some steps you can take:

• Take a Defensive Driving Course: In many states, taking a defensive driving or traffic school course can reduce points on your license, potentially lowering the impact of the violation on your rates. Some insurers may also offer discounts for completing such courses.
• Shop Around for Better Rates: If your current insurer raises your rates significantly after a violation, it might be worth shopping around for a new insurer. You may find one that offers a better rate despite the violation.
• Consider a High Deductible: If you’re willing to take on more financial risk in the event of an accident, raising your deductible may help offset the premium increase.
• Maintain a Clean Driving Record: If the violation was a one-time mistake and you return to safe driving, your insurance premiums may stabilize over time as you build a cleaner driving history.
• Pay for the Violation: In some states, you may be able to pay the fine and avoid points on your license by choosing a deferred judgment or other similar options. Check with your local DMV or your insurance company for options to keep your record clean.

5. What Happens if You Have Multiple Violations?

If you accumulate multiple traffic violations, your insurance company will likely view you as a high-risk driver, and your premiums could increase even more. In some cases, your insurer may drop you or refuse to renew your policy. If this happens, you’ll need to find another insurer that offers coverage to high-risk drivers, which can be costly.

In some extreme cases, especially with multiple DUIs or reckless driving charges, you may face SR-22 requirements. This is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you have the required insurance coverage, and it often comes with high premiums.