Why Paying a Ticket May Increase Your Insurance Premium

Jonathan Perazzo, otherwise known as JP, shares one of the reasons why you shouldn’t pay for a ticket issued for a moving violation. As a car accident lawyer that confronts insurance providers on a daily basis, JP knows that paying a ticket can increase your insurance premium, simply because it makes you a less safe driver to insure.

Tickets and Other Factors that Make your Insurance Premiums Rise

Tickets issued by the police can indeed cause your insurance premiums to rise. When you receive a ticket for a traffic violation, such as speeding, running a red light, or reckless driving, it signals to your insurance company that you are a higher-risk driver. As a result, they may increase your insurance premiums to compensate for the increased likelihood of future claims.

Insurance companies consider various factors when determining premiums, and traffic tickets are one of the key factors that can lead to higher rates. The rationale behind this is that drivers who have received tickets in the past are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents or commit traffic violations in the future. Insurance companies use historical data to assess risk, and a driver with a history of tickets represents a higher risk.

However, traffic tickets are not the only factor that can cause your insurance premiums to rise. Other factors that can impact your rates include:

1. Age and driving experience: Younger drivers, especially teenagers, typically have higher insurance premiums because they have less driving experience and are statistically more prone to accidents.
2. Driving record: A clean driving record with no accidents or tickets generally results in lower insurance premiums, while a history of accidents or tickets can increase rates.
3. Location: Where you live can affect your insurance rates. Areas with higher crime rates, population density, or accident rates tend to have higher premiums.
4. Type of vehicle: The make, model, and age of your vehicle can influence insurance premiums. Expensive cars or vehicles with high repair costs may lead to higher rates.
5. Credit history: In some states and countries, insurance companies may consider your credit history when determining premiums. Poor credit history can result in higher rates.
6. Coverage limits and deductibles: Choosing higher coverage limits and lower deductibles can increase your premiums. However, it also provides you with more financial protection in the event of an accident.

If you receive a traffic ticket and believe it was unjustly issued or want to contest it, hiring a personal injury lawyer specializing in traffic violations can be an option. However, it’s important to note that personal injury lawyers typically focus on cases involving physical injury resulting from accidents rather than fighting traffic tickets. For challenging traffic tickets, it may be more appropriate to consult with a traffic attorney or a lawyer specializing in traffic law.

Regarding the frequency of tickets issued in Miami daily, specific data may vary over time and depend on various factors such as population density, traffic enforcement efforts, and local driving habits. To obtain accurate and up-to-date information on ticket issuance in Miami, it would be best to refer to official records from the Miami Police Department or other relevant sources.