When does the insurance rate increase for a ticket start, and how long does it last?
Your insurance company won't increase your rates mid-term, but will add the surcharge when the policy renews, which is usually when your driving record is run as rates are re-calculated for the coming term.
John Foster, vice president of underwriting operations at Penn National Insurance in Harrisburg, PA, says the start of that three-year period may be based upon the date of occurrence or conviction.
“It is also worth noting that some state laws -- for example, Pennsylvania -- do not permit surcharges for minor violations and only allow them for major traffic offenses,” Foster says.
Foster says the surcharge percentage generally stays the same every year and won't increase or compound. Some companies, including Penn National, reduce the surcharge percentage each year as the violation ages.
Bryan Cook, a Whitinsville, MA-based senior assistant vice president with Amica Mutual Insurance Co., says that how long an infraction stays on your driving record doesn't impact the length of time you must pay a surcharge.
While insurance companies must comply with state laws governing car insurance rates, Cook says Amica generally adds a surcharge for a ticket for three years after the ticket was issued.
Again, because the company won't change rates mid-term, you can expect to pay the surcharge until the next renewal after the ticket comes off. Although it can seem unfair to be charged after the ticket falls off, it's really still the same time period, since the charge didn't start until the renewal after you got the ticket. To get the charge off right away, you can start shopping around for a new insurance policy when the ticket comes off your record.
Rate increases after a ticket by insurance company
While state laws may govern whether a surcharge can be applied and how long it might last, insurance companies determine how much they will increase your rates for each type of ticket.
The differences in car insurance rate increases from company to company can be very large. Some companies might not choose to penalize you for a small offense, even if state law allows it.
For example, McChristian notes that some insurance companies give a “free pass” to a long-time policyholder who maintained a good driving record prior to a minor traffic infraction.
"In this case, you wouldn’t see a rate increase at all," she says.
Other companies may place a surcharge that lasts for just one year. "Then, that charge drops off if nothing else appears on your record," McChristian says.
For example, according to data gathered by Quadrant Information Services for Insurance.com, here's what happens after a single speeding ticket for 16 to 29 mph over the limit with six major carriers for 40-year-old man buying full coverage on a Honda Accord.
| Company | Percent increase |
|---|---|
| Geico | 37% |
| Progressive | 30% |
| Farmers | 23% |
| Nationwide | 17% |
| Allstate | 14% |
| State Farm | 12% |
You'll see that the car insurance increase for a ticket, in this case speeding, varies significantly among carriers.
Stack up a few tickets and you run the risk of needing high-risk auto insurance.
What is the difference between a premium surcharge and a rate hike?
Insurance lingo can be a bit confusing. Some people are confused about the difference between a “premium surcharge” and a “rate hike.”
McChristian says an insurer will levy a surcharge upon a policyholder as a type of penalty after a moving violation or other bad behavior.
By contrast, a rate hike can be more general.
“The rate hike may be something that is ‘across the board,’ for all policyholders,” McChristian says.
She emphasizes “may be” because there are many other potential sources of a rate hike that would only affect an individual policyholder, including:
- Adding a teen driver to the policy
- Buying a new car that is more expensive to insure
- Moving to an area with more traffic and a history of more crashes
“Points” is another term that might confuse some policyholders. Your state’s “point” system isn't the same as an insurance company’s system, although points on your license do affect rates.
Like state motor vehicle departments, insurance companies use point systems to track your driving behavior. But the two systems differ.
DMV points are assessed if you are convicted of certain traffic violations. Rack up too many points and your license can be suspended or revoked.
By contrast, insurers have their own point system that helps them determine when to raise your rate and by how much. In some states, regulators set up the point system used by insurers.
Shopping for new auto insurance with a ticket on your record
If you decide to shop for a new auto insurance policy during the period of the surcharge, your new car insurance company will apply a surcharge to your premiums until the surcharge period ends, in accordance with state regulations.
"The surcharge period is generally established by state laws. So, for example, if you had a reckless driving ticket from an accident in December 2008, typically your surcharge would not fall off until January 2012," says Cook. "Your new insurance company couldn't extend the surcharge period because they are usually regulated by state laws."
Foster says that the surcharge period will be based on when the violation occurred, so that if you switch insurance companies two years after a ticket was issued, your new company can only apply a surcharge for one year. After that, you will return to regular auto insurance premiums. However, depending on the severity of your driving infraction, you may have trouble acquiring new car insurance.
"While surcharges are generally limited to only a three-year period, some carriers may evaluate tickets on your driving record beyond three years -- especially major convictions -- when determining new applicant eligibility or acceptance," says Foster. "For instance, while companies may not surcharge a person for a ticket four years ago, they may decline or refuse to accept a new applicant for that traffic ticket."
There are ways to save on car insurance, despite a less-than-perfect driving record:
- Understanding how to compare auto insurance can help you find the most affordable policy, regardless of your driving history.
- Find out if you qualify for a low-mileage discount.
- You can take a defensive driving course, which may reduce the points on your license and may qualify you for a discount on some coverages.
- Check with your agent to see if you qualify for any discounts, such as those for anti-theft devices or for driving an electric or hybrid car.
