5 Most Common Traffic Violations That Raise Insurance Rates

Traffic tickets often come with fines, but their impact goes far beyond just paying money. Most traffic violations are non-criminal civil infractions—like speeding tickets or minor collisions—but they can still add points to your driving record and cause your auto insurance premiums to rise significantly. Understanding how these common traffic violations affect your insurance and what you can do to protect yourself is crucial for every driver. In this blog, we break down the five most common traffic violations that can raise your insurance rates and offer practical tips to help you avoid costly penalties and keep your driving record clean. Read on to learn how to stay safe, save money, and navigate the consequences of traffic tickets with confidence. 

Five of the most common traffic violations that increase rates the most are: 

1. Speeding 

2. Running A Red Light 

3. DUI/DWI 

4. Reckless Driving 

5. Distracted Driving / Texting While Driving 

If you are cited for any of these violations, your insurance rates may go up. Some offenses, such as DUI/DWI and reckless driving, can be treated as a misdemeanor or even a felony depending on the circumstances, and a misdemeanor may bring heavy fines or jail time. Avoiding citations and maintaining a clean driving record can help reduce the likelihood of premium increases. By driving safely and carefully, you could save money on your insurance premiums in the long run. 

How Do Points Systems Work In Different States? 

Traffic violations could result in points being added to your driving record. Each state uses a traffic violation points system to track a driver’s traffic offenses. Points assigned for traffic violations differ by state, including how they’re allocated, which offenses incur points, and the DMV’s role in evaluating a driver’s fitness to continue driving. In many states, accumulating points from violations can also lead to higher insurance premiums. 

Take Georgia as an example: speeding 15 to 18 mph over the limit results in two points, while exceeding the speed limit by more than 34 mph adds six points. Accumulating 15 points within two years can lead to license suspension. Similarly, failing to respond to a moving violation ticket in New York State can cause your driver’s license to be suspended until you address the issue. Insurance providers typically increase rates when points appear on your driving record. 

In contrast, Florida assigns three points for speeding, but if the speeding is deemed reckless, four points are added. Accumulating 12 points within a year results in a 30-day license suspension. Like Georgia, Florida drivers with points on their records often face increased insurance costs. 

Additionally, many states encourage drivers to take defensive driving courses to reduce points or mitigate insurance rate increases. These courses emphasize safety features of vehicles and proper driving habits, making them a valuable tool for drivers looking to maintain affordable coverage. Moreover, some insurance companies offer discounts to customers who complete such courses, rewarding safer driving behavior. 

How To Handle a Traffic Violation 

If you get a traffic violation, there are a few things you can do to minimize the impact on your insurance rates. The most important thing is to try to avoid getting any more tickets and make sure you are insured. In New York State, for certain TVB tickets, you must decide whether to plead guilty and pay the required fees or plead not guilty and go to traffic court by scheduling a hearing. You could also take a defensive driving course. Defensive driving courses can often lower your insurance rates. If you have a clean driving record, you may be able to get your ticket dismissed. 

To get your traffic ticket dismissed, you must appear in court and demonstrate your commitment to improving your driving habits, and a traffic ticket attorney may help assess whether contesting it makes sense. Judges are more likely to dismiss tickets if you have a clean driving record and show willingness to improve. Pleading not guilty means attending traffic court on your court date—missing that appearance can result in an automatic loss. Tickets issued outside New York City are handled by the criminal or traffic court in the location where the violation occurred. If your TVB traffic ticket is lost or destroyed, you can replace it online using information from any open ticket to help resolve the matter. 

Moreover, it’s important to keep all mail related to your traffic violation and court proceedings organized. Promptly responding to tickets can prevent additional penalties or license suspensions. Being proactive at the scene of the violation and cooperating with law enforcement can sometimes influence the outcome positively. 

Keep Your Insurance Rates Low With Safe Driving 

There are several factors that could affect your car insurance rates, but one of the most important is your driving record. By avoiding common traffic violations, you can maintain a safe driving record and keep your premiums down. Some insurance companies may refuse coverage to drivers with multiple violations, and drivers with a poor record may need non-standard auto insurance coverage options. 

To find out more about what tickets affect your insurance rates and what type of car insurance is best for you, call us directly at 877-405-7102. You can also visit a nearby Acceptance Insurance office to speak with one of our agents in person. We’re here to help you get the right cheap car insurance coverage for your needs. Get your free, no-hassle quote online today! 

Common Questions Asked About Traffic Tickets That Raise Insurance Rates 

Will A Ticket For Running A Red Light Affect My Insurance? 

A ticket for running a red light could affect your insurance rate. In many states, running a red light is treated as a traffic infraction. Insurance penalties often include higher premiums, and even a single speeding ticket can raise monthly rates by roughly 22% as a general benchmark. Most tickets that affect your insurance rates are related to reckless driving or drunk driving. If you receive a ticket for running a red light, it will likely increase your car insurance rates, and improper lane changes or failure to signal can also raise rates because they contribute to collision risk on the road. 

What Is The Average Increase In Car Insurance Rates For A Traffic Violation? 

Traffic violations can lead to fines, other penalties, and in some cases increased car insurance rates. While the average increase in rates varies depending on the state and the severity of the violation, ticket costs can also range from about $25 to $1,000, so most drivers can expect their rates to go up after a ticket. One texting-while-driving ticket, for example, can raise premiums by about 20%. 

Can I Get A Lower Car Insurance Rate If I Have A Clean Driving Record? 

If you have a clean driving record, you may be able to get a lower car insurance rate and qualify for discounts and savings on auto insurance. To keep your insurance rates down, be sure to avoid common traffic violations that could raise your insurance rates like speeding, running a red light, driving under the influence, and distracted driving such as texting, using a smartphone, eating, or adjusting GPS. Distracted driving is a leading cause of accident claims that can push rates higher. Tailgating also reduces reaction time and often leads to rear-end collisions, so avoiding it can help protect your record and comparing coverage options can help find affordable coverage.