Sunday, November 30, 2008

Your First Ticket: Understanding Car Insurance Risk Estimates

By John Brennan

Many people will experience that sinking feeling when they see a police car in their mirror and realize they're well over the speed limit. You're not alone; but after you've paid the fine, how much will you have to pay to your insurance company for that moment of carelessness?

The good news is that insurance companies don't lump all speeders together. A driver with a long and clean history up until the ticket may well not be punished too much by higher premiums. But don't expect that to be true if you've only held your insurance for a couple of months.

Another factor that insurance companies will consider is the policy holderas age. Younger drivers tend to have higher rates anyway. Younger drivers who receive a ticket should expect a significant rate increase because the insurance companies view such a record as a large risk.

Automobile insurance carriers will also take into consideration the type of violation. Speeding tickets are very common, so they will examine how fast the driver was actually going and how much the driver was going over the speed limit. If the ticket was written for another violation, the insurance company will make a decision based on the seriousness and potential for risk the violation carries.

For instance, did your bad driving result in a car wreck? If so, expect your insurance to go up dramatically regardless of how good a record you had in the past. You insurer has just had to dip into his own pocket to pay for your carelessness, and he'll now want to make back the money he just lost.

On the other hand, it is a relatively little known fact that tickets can be dismissed and excluded from your driving record by a court. Courts often dismiss tickets for smaller violations, with the driver only having to pay court costs. Check out the exact situation in your state.

Many Americans don't have any car insurance - make sure you're not one of them! It is important that you are properly protected by an insurance policy for when disaster hits, regardless of how good a driver you think you are. Well known companies like Allstate and Progressive Direct can provide you with insurance online or by phone. Always provide accurate and truthful information, and take the time to shop around for quotes and the best deal.

Nobody enjoys getting a ticket, but if you do, it may not result in an insurance increase beyond what you can afford to pay. It's a good idea to find out how your insurer handles traffic tickets when you first take out a policy, so you know what to expect once those blue flashing lights have faded into the distance. - 15485

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