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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Your First Ticket: Understanding Car Insurance Risk Estimates

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.

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.

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 ticket was written as a result of a wreck you caused, expect your insurance to increase significantly. This is true no matter what your age or previous driving record. Anytime a driver causes damages to their own car, someone elseas car, or property, the insurance company must pay money and you become an insurance risk.

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.

Many Americans don't have any car insurance - make sure you're not one of them! It is important that you are properly protected by an insurance policy for when disaster hits, regardless of how good a driver you think you are. Well known companies like Allstate and Progressive Direct can provide you with insurance online or by phone. Always provide accurate and truthful information, and take the time to shop around for quotes and the best deal.

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.

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