Most of us know that getting a New York traffic ticket can cause our insurance premiums to increase substantially. However, almost no one truly knows how much more we can expect to pay if we are found guilty of committing a New York traffic violation.
Insurance.com has analyzed the data and provided the numbers showing just how much those convictions will cost drivers. They assembled a team of experts to determine how much people can expect their auto insurance to increase if found guilty of committing various types of traffic offenses.
After analyzing quotes provided to drivers from 6 carriers in ten zip codes in each state, the Insurance.com group discovered that a DUI/DWI first offense was the most costly violation while a mere seatbelt violation only slightly increased a person’s rate. The analysis compared quotes that were given to drivers with the 18 most common violations and compared them with quotes to drivers without any such violations. The following is a detailed chart of the team’s findings, presented as both percentage and dollar amount insurance increases:
| Violation | Percent Increase | Dollar Increase |
| DUI/DWI first offense | 79% | $1,131 |
| Reckless driving | 73% | $1,046 |
| Operating a vehicle in a race (highway racing) | 71% | $1,012 |
| Speeding (30+ mph over limit) | 30% | $427 |
| Careless driving | 26% | $372 |
| Texting while driving | 23% | $344 |
| Distracted driving | 22% | $320 |
| Speeding (16-29 mph over limit) | 22% | $317 |
| Improper/illegal pass | 20% | $293 |
| Speeding (1-15 mph over limit) | 20% | $288 |
| Following too closely | 20% | $284 |
| Improper turn | 20% | $281 |
| Failure to yield | 20% | $281 |
| Failure to stop | 19% | $272 |
| Talking on cell phone while driving | 16% | $224 |
| Driving without a license or permit | 12% | $178 |
| Driving without insurance | 10% | $143 |
| Seatbelt infraction | 3% | $47 |
Additionally, their team of experts constructed “The ‘Uh-Oh’ Calculator.” This tool will calculate how much you can expect your specific rate to increase for a traffic violation based on the uniquely tailored data you input, such as your offense, state of residence, and current yearly premium. It will then show how much your rates could increase.
This insurance tool lends credence to what we have been telling drivers all along. Pleading guilty to a New York traffic ticket is simply not a good option, and trying to fight it alone is far too risky. Instead, you should contact a New York traffic ticket attorney and avoid having your car insurance skyrocket.
(Source: http://www.insurance.com/auto-insurance/traffic-ticket-calculator.aspx)
