Getting a traffic ticket isn’t just an inconvenience—it can hit your wallet in more ways than one. The fine itself might sting, but the real financial impact often comes later, when your insurance premiums go up. But how much does a ticket really affect your rates? And more importantly, what can you do about it? Let’s break it all down.
How Traffic Tickets Affect Your Insurance
Insurance companies use a range of factors to determine your premium, and your driving record is one of the biggest. When you receive a traffic ticket, insurers see it as a sign that you’re a higher-risk driver. This can lead to an increase in your insurance rates, sometimes significantly.
The Severity of the Violation Matters
Not all tickets are treated equally. The more serious the offence, the bigger the impact on your insurance.
- Minor violations – Speeding a few miles over the limit, failure to signal, or rolling through a stop sign may cause a small increase, but in some cases, insurers might overlook a single minor offence.
- Major violations – Reckless driving, excessive speeding, running a red light, or DUI charges can lead to a substantial rate hike, and in extreme cases, your insurer may even cancel your policy.
- Repeat offences – If you have multiple tickets in a short period, expect a much steeper increase. Some insurers may even refuse to renew your policy.
How Much Will Your Insurance Go Up?
There’s no fixed number for how much your premium will rise, as it depends on your insurer, driving history, and the severity of the violation. However, on average:
- A minor speeding ticket could raise your premium by 10-20%.
- A more serious offence, like reckless driving, could increase rates by 50% or more.
- A DUI or other major violation might double or triple your premium.
These changes usually last for three to five years, meaning one mistake can cost you for a long time.
What Can You Do About It?
Now that you know how a ticket can affect your rates, let’s look at how you can minimise the damage—or avoid it altogether.
1. Hire a Lawyer and Fight the Ticket
If there’s any chance of getting the ticket dismissed or reduced, it’s worth exploring. Traffic lawyers specialise in finding legal loopholes, challenging evidence, and negotiating with prosecutors. Even if you don’t get the ticket thrown out entirely, reducing it to a non-moving violation with the help of a traffic ticket lawyer Kitchener can help keep your insurance from increasing.
2. Take a Defensive Driving Course
Some states and insurance companies allow drivers to take a defensive driving course to remove points from their record or offset a ticket’s impact. Not only can this help keep your rates down, but it also makes you a safer driver.
3. Check for “Forgiveness” Policies
Some insurers offer accident forgiveness or ticket forgiveness programs, meaning they won’t raise your rates for a first-time offence. If you have a clean record, it’s worth asking your insurer whether they offer this kind of protection.
4. Shop Around for a Better Rate
If your insurer raises your rates significantly, it may be time to compare options. Different companies weigh traffic violations differently, so you might find a better deal elsewhere. Getting multiple quotes can save you hundreds per year.
5. Drive Carefully Moving Forward
It may sound obvious, but avoiding additional tickets is key. Insurance increases are based on patterns, so if you get another ticket within a short period, your rates will likely spike even higher. Safe driving habits help keep your costs down in the long run.
Can a Ticket Ever Be Removed from Your Record?
Yes, but it depends on your location and the type of violation. In some places, you can request expungement or take a driver improvement course to have a ticket removed from your record after a certain period. Some states also have statutes of limitations on how long violations stay on your record, usually between three and five years. Check your local laws to see what options are available.
Traffic Tickets – The Bottom Line
A traffic ticket can do more than just drain your bank account—it can have long-lasting effects on your insurance rates. While some increases are unavoidable, you do have options. Hiring a lawyer, taking a driving course, and shopping around for better insurance can help minimise the financial impact. The best strategy? Drive safely and avoid tickets altogether, so you don’t have to worry about higher premiums in the first place.
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