Common traffic tickets that raise car insurance rates the most

By Danielle Ling | August 12, 2020 at 12:00 AM

 

Odds are, motorists are bound to get ticketed for some kind of moving violation at some point. How much that ticket will cost can be minimal, but its impact on insurance premiums can be significant.

Overall, the more a driver puts themselves and others at risk, the costlier their insurance policy will be.

For instance, drivers who get ticketed for forgetting to turn on their lights pay an average of $68 more per year for car insurance than drivers without any violations on their record, according to The Zebra. Drivers who get a ticket for speeding in a school zone will see an average insurance increase of $342 per year.

The riskiest violations, however, can more than double an existing auto premium. Depending on the state or city, the same offense could increase rates by 36% or by 383%. Moreover, high-cost penalties hit drivers twice as hard in low-income states, The Zebra researchers said.

Focusing on the greatest threats to insureds, six violations cost drivers over $1,000 a year in rate hikes and have the biggest impact on auto insurance premiums.

TOP 6 VIOLATIONS THAT HAVE GREATEST IMPACT ON INSURANCE RATES

1.   Hit and Run—Average increase of $1,212 (78.3%)

2.   Racing—Average increase of $1,131 (73.1%)

3.   DUI—Average increase of $1,100 (71%)

4.   Refusing a breathalyzer—Average increase of $1,080 (69.8%)

5.   Driving with a suspended license—Average increase of $1,044 (67.4%)

6.   Reckless Driving—Average increase of $1,038 (67%)