Debt Consolidation Loans For Bad Credit In UK Debt Consolidation Loans For Bad Credit In UK

Find out more on Debt Consolidation Loans For Bad Credit In UK Now!

Wednesday, December 31, 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.

One factor that insurance companies will look at when deciding on a rate change is the policy holderas previous driving record. If you have had a policy with them for a long period of time and this is your first ticket, your insurance will usually not go up too drastically. However, new policy holders who receive a ticket soon after taking out automobile insurance could have a significant rate increase.

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.

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.

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.

Getting your first ticket is never a fun experience. However, it does not necessarily mean your automobile insurance will rise to an astronomical rate. The best thing to do is find out how your insurance companies handles traffic tickets before taking out a policy with them, so you are not hit with another surprise after the sirens drive away.

About the Author:

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home