Don’t Overpay for Auto Insurance After a Ticket

August 03, 2010

Women, especially us mothers, are busy little bees these days. We work, drive the kids to school, cook dinner—it never ends! So yeah, sometimes we drive a bit fast when we’re running late, but don’t worry ladies—getting a ticket won’t necessarily raise your auto insurance premium.

In fact, a single ticket may be forgiven entirely. “A single traffic ticket won’t always lead to a dramatic increase in a driver’s rate, and an insurer may excuse a driver who’s never been cited before,” said Paula Gold, VP of Plymouth Rock Assurance, a Boston-based auto insurer.

Even if your premium does increase after a ticket, it’s usually just a modest increase. It’s when the tickets begin to pile up that the real trouble starts—especially if there’s a DUI or other major violation tossed in.

“Multiple violations raise an automatic red flag for insurance companies, and with each new infraction can come hundreds or even thousands in premium increases,” Gold said. “Insurers won’t give leniency to a driver who was driving drunk, illegally parked in a handicapped spot or has several tickets within a year’s time.”

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways for drivers to lower premiums following a ticket.

“For starters, consider increasing your deductible or bundling several policies with one provider. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for discounts—being a safe driver can help, as can having low annual mileage,” she explained. “This will not only help reverse some of the damage done by a single ticket, but it can also save a significant amount of money over the long term.”

If you’ve tried these tips and still pay too much for car insurance, compare car insurance quotes for free with InsWeb and see how much you might save even with a ticket on your record.