If you have been involved in an auto accident, you might have seen an increase in your insurance premiums.
You are probably looking forward to that accident falling off your driving record, so your premiums can once again drop, or so you can shop around for coverage elsewhere and not have to report that prior accident claim on your application.
While there are a variety of factors that will affect your auto insurance premiums, at-fault accidents and moving violations are the two major impacts.
How Long Will That Accident Be On My Record?
An at-fault auto accident isn’t a quick fix on your record. Eventually, it will be taken off your record, and your auto insurance premium will return to more normal rates. But it usually takes three years from the date of the crash or the date you were ticketed.
There are alternatives to paying higher premiums in such situations. Defensive driving courses can often get a ticket or violation removed from your driving record.
However, you can only take the driving course once every three to five years based on your state laws, so you can only have one violation removed from your record during that timeframe.
However, your eligibility for having a violation removed will depend on your past driving record and on the decision of the judge or court.
If you aren’t eligible to have the ticket or violation removed from your driving record with a driving course, you have some other alternatives. You can opt for other available discounts for your policy, which in turn, will help make up the difference for your increased auto insurance premiums.
Some other discounts that you might be able to get for your auto insurance coverage include:
- Multi-policy discount
- Multi-vehicle discount
- Active military discount
- Educator discount
- Alumni discounts – for graduates of specific higher learning institutions
- Membership discounts – for members of sororities, fraternities, and other civic groups
- Employer discounts
- Student discounts – for maintaining a high grade-point average
- Low-mileage discounts – if you don’t drive your car very far, the likelihood of an accident is lower
The Differences in Traffic Violations
Insurers consider different tickets in different ways. A minor ticket, such as a non-moving violation such as an expired insurance sticker or a moving violation of driving no more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, effect your premium very little usually.
Many insurance companies will forgive your first minor ticket and not even count it toward your premium calculations. Typically, a traffic violation will be on your record for three years from the date you are convicted and not from the date you were ticketed.
Major tickets are for those for driving at higher speeds, such as 30 or more miles an hour over the speed limit or driving without insurance.
One major ticket can cause your insurance premiums to increase significantly. One major ticket can cause your premiums to increase anywhere from 10% to 50%. Too many major tickets can result in cancellation of your policy.
If you have been involved in an auto accident, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. You might be able to pursue a claim to recoup compensation for your damages.
Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form today, so an accident injury attorney in your area can review the details of your case.
