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Friday, January 9, 2009

Tickets: Decoding A Car Insurance Estimate Of Risk

By John Brennan

It is a sunny day. You are having a pleasant drive, perhaps singing along to your favorite song, when you hear the sirens. Looking at the speedometer, you realize you were speeding. This is your first ticket. For those of us who have experienced these unfortunate events, the first question you may ask after the initial disbelief is: How much is my car insurance going to go up? The answer to that question depends on many factors.

Insurance companies will look at your previous driving record, before the current ticket was issued. If you've managed to drive without any infractions for a long time, then your insurance may not increase too greatly. However, if you have only just begun driving, and have already picked up your first ticket, then you should expect a correspondingly larger change in your insurance rate.

Age also plays a strong role, with younger drivers taking a hit in overall cost, even if they abide by all the rules of the road. A young driver with a ticket clearly indicates to the insurance company that they are a bad 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.

If your driving infraction caused a serious accident, then you should not be surprised when you insurance increases a large amount. You actions have resulted in the insurance company paying out money, and it will now seek to claw it back through higher premiums. That will be the case however blameless your previous driving career has been.

Many people do not know that tickets can be dismissed and will not go on your driving record. If the violation is not too serious, the courts will dismiss the ticket in some cases and the driver will only be responsible for paying court costs. Not all tickets are dismissed and the process also varies from state to state.

Make sure you're covered. Too many Americans put themselves and others at risk by driving uninsured. Insurance is easier to arrange now that ever, with Allstate and Progressive Direct, among others, offering online and over the phone insurance options. Make sure you visit a few different sites so you can make sure you get the best deal for you. Prices will vary greatly from company to company, so don't go with the first one to give you a quote.

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.

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