Archive for June, 2011

The Effect of Speeding Tickets On Your Car Insurance Rates

June 28th, 2011

Drivers who have excellent driving records can easily obtain car insurance quotes at the lowest possible rates. However, if a driver gets a speeding ticket, car insurance costs could go up several hundred dollars a year for three to five years, depending on how long state law requires the ticket to stay on the driver’s record.

A Driver’s First Speeding Ticket And The Affect On Auto Insurance

Even if this is the driver’s first speeding ticket, the car insurance rate may be raised by the insurance company. This rate increase is based on studies done by two insurance industry research groups, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute. These groups have found that drivers with one or more speeding tickets have a fifty percent higher chance of causing an accident. Some insurance companies may be lenient with a long time customer and forgive the first speeding ticket if the violation is minor.

The Type of Speeding Ticket Makes a Difference

The insurance company will look at the type of speeding ticket incurred by a customer and decide if it is a severe violation. Under the laws of most states, severe speeding violations include those occurring in a school zone and those occurring in a construction zone. A speeding ticket may also be called reckless driving if a driver exceeds ninety miles per hour or exceeds the posted speed limit by more than fifteen miles an hour. The excessive speed limit for reckless driving is established by state law.

Most insurance companies will raise a driver’s car insurance rates for any of these offenses. Rates will also be raised if an accident was caused by the speeding driver. Rates for other types of insurance, such as life and health, could also go up because the driver is viewed as a high risk.

Ways to Make the Ticket Disappear

Speeding tickets in many states can be dismissed if the driver takes a traffic school safety course, which can be completed in person or online. The driver will still be required to pay the fine for the speeding ticket, but the ticket will not appear on the driver’s record. Speeding tickets can also be fought in court, but the outcome of a court decision may not be in the driver’s favor.

Always Shop Around for a Better Rate

The car insurance business is very competitive, and even drivers with poor driving records can save money by comparing quotes from several companies. The best way to keep the cost of car insurance low is to avoid speeding tickets and other moving violations.

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Car Insurance for High Risk Drivers / SR-22 Insurance

June 28th, 2011

High-risk car insurance has been the topic of debate for quite a while. People who are considered higher risk believe that costs are extremely high while car insurance companies think that these customers make up the largest expenditures and therefore have to foot the largest portion of the bill. While each side have an argument, you actually only worry about getting quality coverage at the cheapest. Often It is possible to get the cheapest rate so long as you understand the basics of high-risk car insurance.

High-risk car Insurance: What’s a High-risk Driver

Understanding how you’re looked at by auto insurers companies could help you get a better deal. Many auto insurers consider any person with the following to be of a highest risk.

* 3 convictions or guilty pleas for traffic violations in a year

* Driving under the influence or Driving while intoxicated conviction

* Hit and run conviction

* Reckless driving conviction

* Automobile negligence leading to a personal injury or death

These are the big ones which will get you on all insurers list of high-risk drivers. You might even consider a higher than normal risk by many companies when you fit the below conditions.

* Have filed a number of claims

* Show recent gaps in auto insurance coverage

* A first time driver

High-risk Car Insurance: Levels of Risk

As we discussed above, there are levels of risks. When you are just a new driver, you won’t be looked at on the same category as anyone who has recently had a DUI. In case you are on the lower rung of the ladder as far as risk, you could probably still get rather cheap policy by simply searching and taking advantage of savings. For example, as a young, new driver, you might be capable of getting a reduction in your policy by having high gpa’s.

If you’re the top of the ladder in terms of risk, things would be more difficult. A recent Drunk driving might force you to obtain what’s referred to as a SR-22. A SR-22 is a form that some states require you to file when you have had a DUI or some other serious traffic offense. Although they vary by state, the form generally offers proof that you have a specific amount of insurance. Several car insurance carriers desire not to deal with customers who are required to file SR-22.

High-risk Car Insurance: Choosing the Correct Insurance Company

Choosing the correct auto insurance company is much more important when you are a high-risk driver. There are many providers that penalize risky drivers more than others and some providers won’t even provide you coverage when your driving history is too irregular. Even so, you will find insurance providers that specialize in high-risk car insurance and you may most likely get better protection, service and prices from these types of insurers.