Does a negligent driving ticket affect car insurance rates?
In many cases a negligent driving ticket does affect your insurance, typically causing it to increase by 26%. Negligent driving tickets will stay on your record for three years in most cases.
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Justin Wright
Licensed Insurance Agent
Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 23, 2024
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UPDATED: Oct 23, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
A negligent driving ticket will, unfortunately, affect your insurance rates.
What this type of ticket tells an insurance company is that at some point in your driving history you were conducting unsafe driving seen as negligent and irresponsible. Many insurance companies see this as a risk factor.
- In most states, a negligent driving ticket is one step down from a reckless or careless driving ticket
- A negligent driving ticket in most states and cases will stay on your driving reordered for three years and can make it go up by 26%
- If you have paid your car insurance premium in full or if you are in the middle of your auto insurance policy, your rates are likely not to increase until it is time to renew your auto insurance policy
How does a negligent driving ticket affect insurance rates?
This is most likely due to the fact that many insurance companies view this type of traffic infraction as extremely careless.
How much does a ticket raise insurance? The amount that your insurance will go up depends on the company itself and the circumstances traffic violations were received under.
For example, if you received a negligent driving ticket, because you caused an accident this will lead to an increase in insurance rates; way more than if you simply forgot to turn your lights on and received a ticket.
In most states, a negligent driving ticket is one step down from a carless or reckless driving ticket. These tickets are most likely handed out to individuals who failed to follow traffic rules and laws.
If you didn’t have all working lights on your motor vehicle, an officer may issue a negligent ticket; as well as a repair ticket ordering you to get the vehicle fixed as soon as possible.
Almost any type of ticket goes on your driving reordered and impacts your auto insurance costs. The ones that have the greatest impacts are the type of tickets that reflect driving that is likely to cause an accident.
This is why you can expect negligent driving to impact your insurance rate more so than a simple speeding ticket of ten miles over the speed limit.
In order to keep your insurance rate as low as possible, it is important that you maintain a clean driving record and avoid getting negligent driving tickets or any tickets for that matter.
If you have too many negligent driving tickets, along with other traffic tickets some insurance companies may refuse to insure you.
This is because an individual with many traffic tickets and negligent driving is more likely to be involved in an accident. A high level of traffic accidents and insurance payout means insurance companies are going to have lower profits.
Read more: 15 Traffic Tickets that Raise Car Insurance Rates
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How long does a negligent driving ticket affect my insurance rates?
A negligent driving ticket in most states and cases will stay on your driving reordered for three years. While it is on your driving record it will continue to affect your insurance rates.
How do you get a careless driving ticket off your record? Once you receive a negligent driving ticket there is often little you can do to have it removed from your record. You can try to go to court and have your explanation heard before the judge.
However, this type of action is rarely successful or worth your time.
It is normally best to just pay the negligent ticket and contact your insurance company to find out how much it will cause your auto insurance rates to go up.
You should only go in front of the judge if you believe you did not deserve the reckless driving ticket and the officer mistakenly gave it to you. Though many people find this to be an extreme hassle and the judge is likely to back up the police officer.
When will a negligent driving ticket affect my insurance rate?
There is some good news when dealing with a negligent driving ticket. If you have paid your car insurance premium in full or if you are in the middle of your auto insurance policy, your rates are likely not to increase until it is time to renew your auto insurance policy.
If you are paying monthly for your insurance, you cannot allow your policy to lapse do to non-payment.
When this happens most insurance companies will force you to start a new policy and cause your rates to increase because there is now a negligent driving ticket on your record.
However, paying your insurance in full or keeping it paid on time will give you time to shop around. This doesn’t mean that other insurance companies won’t rate you for a negligent driving ticket.
However, you may be able to find another insurance company that offers lower rates to at-risk drivers or at least a lower rate than your current insurance company.
It is always best to shop around for new auto insurance every year or so. This is because prices are constantly changing for customers.
Try using our free comparison tool to get instant online car insurance quotes from three to four
- https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/general-information/questions-about-driving-records/
- https://www.theticketclinic.com/blog/careless-driving-v-reckless-driving
- https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XXI/265/265-79-b.htm
- https://www.findlaw.com/traffic/traffic-tickets/mechanical-violations.html
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/14-traffic-tickets-raise-insurance-154953441.html
Case Studies: Impact of Negligent Driving Tickets on Car Insurance Rates
Case Study 1: First-Time Offense
John, a driver who received his first negligent driving ticket, wonders if this offense will have an immediate impact on his car insurance rates. Since it is his first offense and his driving record is otherwise clean, John questions whether his insurance company will increase his rates as a result.
Case Study 2: Multiple Offenses
Sarah has received multiple negligent driving tickets in the past. She is concerned about the cumulative impact of these violations on her car insurance rates. Sarah wonders if her insurance company will consider her a higher-risk driver, resulting in significant rate increases or even policy cancellation.
Case Study 3: Accident Involvement
Mike received a negligent driving ticket after being involved in an accident. He is concerned about the potential impact on his car insurance rates, considering the combination of the ticket and the accident on his driving record. Mike questions whether this will result in substantial rate increases or policy changes.
Case Study 4: Varying State Regulations
Samantha received a negligent driving ticket while driving in a different state with different regulations regarding this offense. Samantha wonders if her insurance rates will be affected by the ticket, considering the variation in state laws and the differing approaches insurers might take.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does a negligent driving ticket affect car insurance rates?
Yes, a negligent driving ticket can have an impact on your car insurance rates. Insurance companies consider various factors when determining premiums, and a ticket for negligent driving is typically seen as an indicator of risky behavior on the road. As a result, your insurance rates may increase.
How long will a negligent driving ticket affect my car insurance rates?
The duration for which a negligent driving ticket affects your car insurance rates can vary depending on the insurance company and local regulations. In most cases, the impact can last for several years. It’s important to check with your insurance provider to understand their specific policy regarding ticket penalties.
Will my insurance rates increase immediately after receiving a negligent driving ticket?
It’s possible for your insurance rates to increase as soon as your insurance provider becomes aware of the negligent driving ticket. However, the specific timing can vary based on the company’s policies and when they review your driving record. Typically, the increase would occur upon your policy renewal.
Can I avoid a rate increase if I attend traffic school or defensive driving courses after a negligent driving ticket?
Attending traffic school or defensive driving courses may help mitigate the impact of a negligent driving ticket on your insurance rates. Some insurance companies offer discounts or reduced penalties for completing these programs. However, the availability and extent of such benefits can vary, so it’s best to check with your specific insurance provider.
Is it possible to switch insurance providers to avoid rate increases after a negligent driving ticket?
Switching insurance providers after receiving a negligent driving ticket may be an option. However, it’s important to note that many insurance companies review an applicant’s driving record, and a negligent driving ticket can negatively influence the premiums offered by new insurers. It’s advisable to compare rates and policies before making a decision.
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Justin Wright
Licensed Insurance Agent
Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.