Will my insurance go up if I get a traffic ticket? Will I pay more for car insurance if I get a moving infraction? If you’re wondering whether your insurance rates will be affected by a traffic ticket you’ve come to the right place. I represent drivers in the state of Washington who have been accused of breaking traffic laws.
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.
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.
Moving Infraction and Non-Moving Infractions
There are two types of traffic infractions: moving infractions and non-moving infractions.
Moving infractions will affect your insurance rates. Non-moving infractions will NOT affect your insurance rates. Criminal driving offenses and traffic offenses that are considered moving offenses are listed in WAC 308-104-160.
Not only will a moving traffic infraction or criminal driving offense increase your insurance premium, but you may also be required to obtain SR-22 insurance. This “high-risk” insurance is significantly more expensive than standard car insurance. Thus, especially in the case of criminal driving offenses, a traffic case can cost you a significant amount of money.
Insurance Will Most Likely Increase With a Moving Infraction
The estimate of how much your insurance will go up if you commit a moving infraction depends on your insurance provider and your previous history with traffic infractions. However, you can expect your rates to increase anywhere from 10% to 15%. Non-moving infractions will not affect your insurance rates but they can still be very expensive. Non-moving infractions can still affect your ability to get any reduction in future traffic infraction cases.
Could Lose Out on Additional Discounts
If you were receiving a “good driver discount” through your insurance company, you may end up losing that good driver discount. The amount of a “good driver discount” and similar programs depends on your insurance provider. The good driver discount can account for up to 25% savings on your insurance premium. Therefore, the loss of that discount will significantly increase the amount you pay in car insurance.
Whether you have a non-moving infraction or a moving infraction, the best course of action is to seek the advice of an attorney. Most attorneys will speak to you and give you some preliminary advice about your options.
Will My Insurance Go Up If I Get a Traffic Ticket in Washington
It is likely that your insurance premiums will increase by up to 15% if you have received a moving violation.