Did you receive a ticket for no proof of insurance? Did you get a no insurance ticket but you now have insurance? Did you get a no insurance ticket but you had insurance at the time? All these are relevant questions when determining the result of a no insurance infraction (RCW 46.30.020) in Washington.
In this article, I will talk about the different traffic infractions and what traffic infractions are most likely to affect your insurance. I’ll also discuss how much you can expect your insurance rates to rise if you’re found to have committed a traffic infraction.
Possible Dismissal for No Insurance Ticket
If you received a no insurance infraction in Washington you may have a way of getting the case dismissed. In Washington, the law states that you need to provide valid proof of insurance when a valid request is made by a law enforcement officer. RCW 46.30.020.
Other Consequences for No Insurance Tickets
No insurance tickets can be very expensive. They also can trigger significant consequences if you are currently on pretrial release conditions, if you are on probation for DUI or another criminal offense, or if you are on a deferred for a different traffic infraction. If you have a special type of driver’s license or are applying for one, like a commercial driver’s license or intermediate license, this infraction might be a problem.
If You Can't Get a No Insurance Ticket Dismissed
The law in Washington states that if you receive a no insurance ticket but you had insurance at the time of the traffic stop that you can provide proof of that current insurance to the court and, as a result, the court will dismiss your ticket with a $25 administrative fee. However, If you did not have insurance at the time of the stop but have now gotten car insurance a judge may be willing to reduce the cost of your no insurance ticket through a mitigation hearing. The judge is under no obligation to reduce the ticket but may take your financial circumstances, the fact that you now have insurance, and any other factors into account when deciding whether or not to reduce the fine and how much they’re willing to reduce the fine. Notably, this is an admission that you did not have insurance at the time of the stop which could be problematic for you if you have some other condition where you cannot get an infraction.
A no insurance ticket is not a moving violation. So, it will not be reported by the court to the Department of Licensing where your insurance company can use it as a basis for increasing your insurance rates. thus, if you did have insurance at the time, or got it afterward, that insurance company should not use it to increase your premiums.
Special Defenses that Apply to No Insurance Tickets in Washington
There are a number of defenses that are available if you have a no insurance ticket. Notably, some police will still write you a ticket if you have shown them proof of insurance on an electronic device. That is not correct. You are allowed to show the officer proof of insurance on an electronic device. I have had this situation on many occasions. Some officers simply are not aware of the change in the law that allows you to show proof of insurance through an electronic device. It is important to understand that the officer cannot look at anything else on your phone. You assume responsibility for any damage to the phone while in the officer’s possession.
Be Careful with Probation and Special Licenses
Especially if you have or are applying for a special type of driver’s license, like an intermediate license or a commercial driver’s license, you should talk to an attorney about how a ticket might affect your driver’s license. As a general rule, everyone should talk to an attorney before making a decision on a traffic ticket.
Many people are unaware of the licensing consequences and insurance consequences of having a ticket on your record. Most attorneys, including this one, will talk to you briefly for free.
Do I Need Car Insurance in Washington?
You are required to have car insurance to drive a motor vehicle in Washington.
Can I Show Police Electronic Proof of Insurance?
Yes. Washington law allows you to show proof of insurance through an electronic device like a cell phone.
If you want to contest a traffic ticket you can request a contested hearing. A judge will hear your case. A judge will hear the prosecutor’s case against you. The judge will then decide whether you committed the traffic infraction or not.
It is possible to beat a traffic ticket in WA. There are a number of reason why a traffic ticket can get dismissed. The reasons vary on a case by case basis. Getting a “no insurance” ticket dismissed may require a different process than getting an “expired registration” ticket dismissed. While getting a ticket dismissed is great, avoiding getting a speeding ticket in the first place will ensure your insurance rates do not skyrocket.
If you get a speeding ticket, an HOV ticket, a work zone or construction zone ticket, no insurance ticket, speed too fast for conditions, cell phone ticket, school bus camera ticket, fail to obey traffic signal or traffic control device, or other infraction, you should contact an attorney to try to get that ticket off your record.
A traffic ticket is not a criminal offense.
You can get on a payment plan for a traffic ticket. In most cases you can pay that traffic ticket online.