Texting while driving is a serious offense that not only endangers lives but also comes with financial consequences, especially when it comes to your auto insurance premiums.
When you receive a ticket for texting while driving, it’s a clear signal to insurance companies that you’re engaging in risky behavior behind the wheel.
As a result, your insurance provider will likely increase your premiums to offset the higher risk they now associate with insuring you. So, how much does a texting while driving ticket increase auto insurance premiums?
On average, getting a ticket for texting while driving can increase your auto insurance premiums by 20% and 30% depending on your location, driving history, and the insurance company you use.
How Much Does a Texting While Driving Ticket Increase Auto Insurance Premiums?
Your auto insurance premiums can increase after getting a ticket for texting while driving by about 20% and 30%.
This means that if you were paying $1,500 annually for your auto insurance before the ticket, you could see your premiums jump by $300 to $450, bringing your total annual premium to $1,800 to $1,950.
According to a rate analysis conducted by CarInsurance.com, getting a texting while driving ticket will increase your insurance premiums rates by an average of 27% or $516 yearly. It all depends on the state laws and your insurance company.
The increase will be a substantial increase that will reflect the added risk that insurers believe you now represent. I mean, how can you be texting while driving? Isn’t that what you can hit a child for doing?
Factors that Determine How Much the Increase Will Be?
Here are the factors that determine the exact amount your premiums will increase:
1. Your State
Insurance regulations and penalties for texting while driving vary from state to state. Some states have stricter laws and higher penalties for distracted driving, which can lead to even greater increases in your insurance premiums.
For example, states like California or New York may see higher premium hikes compared to others.
2. Your Driving History
If you have a clean driving record, the increase might be on the lower end of the spectrum. However, if you already have violations or accidents on your record, the increase could be more severe.
Insurers usually view repeat offenders as higher risks, so they may penalize you more heavily.
3. Your Insurance Provider
Different insurance companies assess risk in different ways. Some may penalize texting while driving more severely than others, leading to varying premium increases.
Therefore, you can shop around for a new policy after receiving a ticket might help you find a more favorable rate, though your options may be limited depending on the severity of your driving record.
4. Mitigating Factors
In some cases, you might be able to take a defensive driving course or attend a traffic school to reduce the impact of the ticket on your insurance premiums.
However, this is not always an option, and it depends on the rules in your state and the policies of your insurance company.
Does a Cell Phone Ticket Make Your Insurance Go Up in California?
Yes, receiving a cell phone ticket in California can cause your insurance rates to go up because insurance companies view traffic violations as indicators of risky driving behavior, which is why it can lead to an increase in your premiums.
However, the amount of the increase will depend on factors, such as the severity of the violation, your driving history, and the policies of your insurance company.
In California, using a handheld cell phone while driving is illegal, and a ticket for this violation can be reported to your insurance company.
Although the first offense may not add points to your driving record, subsequent offenses could further affect your insurance rates.
You can check with your insurance provider to understand how a cell phone ticket might affect your premiums.
Does Texting and Driving Affect Insurance in New York?
Yes, texting and driving can affect your insurance rates in New York. Texting while driving is illegal in the state, and receiving a ticket for this violation can lead to higher insurance premiums.
In New York, texting while driving is considered a traffic violation and results in 5 points being added to your driving record. However, accumulating these points can make you appear as a higher-risk driver to insurance companies, which may increase your rates.
In general, insurance companies use traffic violations as factors in determining your risk profile, and a texting-and-driving ticket could negatively impact your premiums.
As reiterated earlier, the exact increase will depend on your driving history, the number of violations, and the policies of your insurance provider.
Conclusion
The financial impact of texting while driving ticket on your insurance premiums is huge and long-lasting and may get to a 20% to 30% increase depending on the factors explained above.
Insurance companies usually consider moving violations like texting while driving for three to five years, meaning you could be paying higher premiums for several years after the offense.
