Depending on the violation, a single traffic ticket can boost an average policyholder’s auto insurance premiums by as much as 22 percent, according to an analysis of more than 490,000 policy quotes conducted by Insurance.com in Foster City, Calif.
What’s more, penalties may be higher for certain types of drivers. For example, the survey found that a divorced person’s rates might jump by 7 percent more for a given offense than someone who’s single, and 4 percent more than a married driver. Similarly, ticketed condominium owners are sometimes hit with higher increases than renters, single-family homeowners or motorists living with their parents.
Here’s the full list of how common tickets will boost auto premiums, as determined by Insurance.com:
reckless driving: 22 percent
DUI first offense: 19 percent
driving without a license or permit: 18 percent.
careless driving: 16 percent.
speeding 30 mph over limit: 15 percent
failure to stop: 15 percent
improper turn: 14 percent
improper passing: 14 percent
tailgating: 13 percent
speeding 15 to 29 mph over limit: 12 percent
speeding 1 to 14 mph over limit: 11 percent
failure to yield: 9 percent
no car insurance: 6 percent
seat belt infraction: 3 percent.
— Jim Gorzelany © CTW Features