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Saturday, November 22, 2008

Will A Speeding Ticket Make My Insurance Too Expensive?

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.

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.

Likewise, someone who was clocked at 60 in a 30mph zone will be viewed in a different way to someone clocked at 35. Speeding tickets are common, and many good drivers will make a mistake during their lives behind the wheel. But some transgressions are obviously more serious than others.

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.

Minor infractions can sometimes be cleared from your driving record by the courts. It's possible that a court will be willing to dismiss the infraction, with the driver only having to pay court costs rather than a fine and having his transgression appear on a record. But check out your local state law for details.

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 it need not be a disaster in terms of continued insurance coverage of your driving. As with most things in life, it pays to be prepared. Check out your insurer's policy towards traffic tickets BEFORE you get caught. That way you won't have to face anything more unpleasant than the police officer's telling-off.

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