How Traffic Violations Can Dramatically Increase Your Auto Insurance Premiums

Getting a traffic citation in North Carolina can cost more than you may think. Traffic violations are punished harshly in our state, and you could face long-term consequences like a big increase in your auto insurance. 

At Browning & Long, PLLC, our experienced Charlotte traffic lawyers understand the hidden costs, including insurance increases, of pleading guilty to a traffic violation and paying the fine. We’ll aggressively defend you and use other strategies to get your traffic violation dismissed or reduced to a less severe infraction that doesn’t dramatically increase your insurance premiums for years. 

How Traffic Violations Cause NC Traffic Insurance Increases

You’ll be assessed two types of points when found guilty of a traffic violation: 

1. Driving record points as determined by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Your driver’s license could be suspended if you acquire 12 points in a 3-year period or are convicted of certain violations, such as reckless driving.
2. Auto insurance points as assessed by the North Carolina Department of Insurance. Points are issued against drivers who cause accidents or receive traffic tickets. Your insurance company is allowed to consider how many points you’ve accumulated over a 3-year period in setting your insurance premiums.

Unfortunately, even one point on your insurance record can significantly increase costs. Here are examples of common traffic violations and how they affect your insurance premiums.

Running a Red Light 

You’ll be assessed three insurance points if you run a red light in North Carolina. Your auto insurance rates can increase by 60%.

Speeding Up to 10 mph 

If the posted speed limit is 55 mph or less, and you’re found guilty of speeding up to 10 mph in this zone, one insurance point will be added to your insurance record. You could have to pay 30% more for auto insurance.

Other Speeding Violations 

If the posted speed limit is 55 mph or more and you’re exceeding it by 10 mph or less, you’ll be assessed two insurance points, resulting in a 45% increase in your insurance. However, if the posted speed limit is 70 mph and you’re driving at a speed of 75 mph or more, you’ll acquire four points on your insurance record—and your insurer could increase your premiums by 80%.

Reckless Driving 

Your carrier would add four points to your insurance record and increase your rates by 60% if you’re convicted of reckless driving.

Passing a Stopped School Bus 

If you get a traffic violation for passing a stopped school bus, you’ll have the same number of points and increased costs as for reckless driving.

Hit and Run 

You would be assessed four points and have your rates increased by 60% if you violate North Carolina’s hit and run laws but don’t cause property damage or a person’s injury or death. If there were injuries, a death, or property damage, a whopping 12 points would be added to your insurance record, and your insurance premiums could skyrocket by 360 percent.

How Hiring Our North Carolina Traffic Lawyers Can Help Minimize Your Insurance Increases

Since your carrier reviews your points over the last three years, even one traffic violation could impact your policy rates for years. This is why it is so important to retain a traffic attorney and fight the traffic citation. Here are some ways our skilled legal team can help you:

• Raise your defenses. If you watch the news, you know the police make mistakes all the time when conducting traffic stops. We’ll raise your defenses, including any violations of your constitutional rights by the police officer, to fight the traffic ticket.
• Negotiate a plea bargain. If it’s in your best interests, we’ll work out a plea agreement with the prosecutor in which the violation is reduced to a less severe one with fewer penalties and points.
• Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC). Depending on your driving record, we may use a PJC to avoid any points being added to your insurance record.
• Present mitigating factors. We might also recommend you attend traffic school or take other actions to show your remorse and commitment to safe driving. We may be able to present these actions or other mitigating factors to convince the judge to impose less severe punishments that will affect your insurance costs less dramatically.