Encountering flashing police lights in your rearview mirror is never a fun experience, especially when it means your insurance premiums are about to increase. The question of “How long do traffic tickets stay on your record?” is often asked, and for good reason. Understanding when your record will be cleared, and your rates will decrease again is important. Continue reading to discover all the essential information about traffic tickets in Cumming, Ga and beyond and their impact on your insurance record.
Do Traffic Tickets Stay on Your Record? Traffic tickets can be classified into two types:
- Moving violations, such as speeding or careless driving.
- Non-moving violations, like parking tickets.
Non-moving violations do not stay on your record, but moving violations do. Each state assigns points to different moving violations, with more severe violations carrying higher point values and longer durations on your record.
However, it’s important to know that your driving record and insurance record are not the same. Insurance providers have their own systems to assess violations and determine insurance rates. Additionally, different insurance providers handle violations and rate increases in their own unique ways, making it challenging to determine exactly how long traffic tickets will stay on your record.
The duration of traffic violations on your record depends on three vital factors:
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Your insurance provider: Each insurer has its own policies for reviewing traffic violations. Some providers consider minor violations for up to three years, while others consider them for only two years from the date of the violation.
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Your state: Each state has its own point system and varies in how long violations stay on your record.
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The severity of the violation: The seriousness of the offense is an important factor in determining how long it will impact your insurance record. Major offenses like driving under the influence or reckless driving can stay on your record for as long as 10 years, and they may even result in the revocation of your license. Less severe violations, such as speeding or running a red light, may stay on your record for 2-3 years.
While insurance providers cannot take away your license like the state can, they can refuse to renew your policy if you are deemed too risky to insure due to major traffic violations. This can also make it more difficult to obtain insurance elsewhere.
It’s worth knowing that maintaining a good driving record can be advantageous. Many insurance providers offer discounts for drivers with clean records for a certain number of years, and some may even provide accident forgiveness for safe drivers overall.
The Financial Impact of Traffic Violations
It’s no secret that traffic violations lead to increased insurance premiums. The severity of the violation directly affects the extent of the insurance increase. In addition to paying fines to the state and receiving points on your driving record, your insurance fees will also rise. The exact increase varies depending on the insurance provider and the seriousness of the violation, but it can cost several hundred dollars per year.
In conclusion, safe driving is rewarded, while careless driving comes at a high cost. The duration of traffic tickets on your record depends on various factors, but you should expect to pay higher insurance rates for the next few years. Eventually, traffic violations will be removed from your record and your insurance rates will stabilize. However, it’s vital to avoid further violations during this period. Contact Bradford Turner Insurance Group today to verify that you have the best price available on insurance.
