Should I Fight a Traffic Ticket?

Posted Friday, May 5, 2017 by Andrew Charles Huff

Yes, you should because they matter to your insurer and will lead to rate increases in your auto insurance.

The cost of auto insurance depends on a range of factors. Some of these may be specific to your individual circumstances but one main factor is your personal driving record. Traffic violations, such as speeding tickets, are considered part of your driving record. And insurers may consider those violations with the perception that you’re at higher risk of an accident which will affect the cost of your insurance.

A speeding ticket can affect your car insurance in a number of ways:Increased rates. First, speeding tickets may increase the amount you pay for car insurance. Insurance companies can check your driving record and see whether you have traffic violations, including speeding tickets. The more traffic violations you have, the more likely it is you’ll see increases in the cost of insurance. Drivers who receive speeding tickets may be considered a higher risk group, and therefore be charged more for auto insurance even if they haven’t made a claim themselves.

Less cost reduction over time. Getting multiple traffic violations may cause you to miss out on cost reductions on your insurance. In general, more experienced drivers are likely to pay less for auto insurance. However, a poor driving record might reduce or even eliminate any benefit you might receive from gaining driving experience. Loss of standard coverage.

Finally, if your record of accidents and traffic violations is serious enough, you may not be able to find a private insurance company that will offer you auto insurance coverage at all. In that case, one potential way to get insurance is through a state-run risk plan.

So if you receive a traffic ticket, it pays to retain our office and let us keep it off your record.