Auto insurance is an important part of every driver’s life, but most drivers often ask, Does distracted driving increase insurance rates? Distracted driving is one of the factors that affects car insurance rates. This act of driving has led to several car accidents and deaths, which caused car insurance rates to increase. If you are one of those who get tickets for distracted driving, it can increase your insurance rates.
Increased insurance rates are unavoidable if you are always given tickets for distracted driving. Through your driving records, insurance companies can determine your insurance policy rates. One reason your rates increase is that your driving history is one of the factors determined to evaluate rates. This write-up contains several reasons why your insurance rate would be affected by distracted driving.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is doing anything that gets your attention on the road, increasing your risk of getting involved in an accident. This practice can be due to emotional and physical conditions like fatigue, stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep, as well as radios, cell phones, and passengers in the vehicle.
While we have all of these, cell phone use is one of the most offensive reasons for distracted driving. As you send and receive texts on your phone, you are likely to take your eyes off the road. It may feel like it’s for a few seconds, but it is enough time to miss a person or an animal on the crosswalk.
Will My Insurance Rates be Increased for Distracted Driving?
As previously stated, distracted driving can increase your car insurance rates. Aside from increased premiums and rates, you will likely also pay fines and demerit points. Distracted driving tickets can lead to the following situations:
- Increased insurance premiums.
- Loss of safe driver insurance discounts.
- Policy cancellation.
- Difficulty getting a new policy.
When car insurance companies look into your record, distracted driving records can prevent you from getting a policy or qualifying for a policy with higher premiums.
What Happens if I am Ticketed for Distracted Driving?
If you are ticketed for distracted driving, you will likely face higher premiums than usual. How much this will depend on the insurance company; however, your insurance increase is $290, which is above the average cost in every state. Your increment may be more than that amount. Also, if you get ticketed, the increase may remain on your policy for three years or more after the date it happens. This means you will be stuck paying for your crime for several years, while if you get ticketed again, you will pay more than the increment.
How Much Will My Insurance Rates Increase for Distracted Driving?
Based on factors like age, driving record, gender, vehicle type, and location, insurance companies determine their premiums. These factors are used to evaluate the level of risks drivers pose. While your driving habit is an essential factor considered, texting while driving increases your chances of getting involved in an accident and increases your level of risk.
Distracted driving tickets will be stated in your driving record and make your insurance consider you a higher risk of insuring. As a result of this, you have the likelihood of getting higher premiums. This increase can be substantial sometimes, causing you hundreds or thousands of dollars over time. Just as previously stated, this violation can affect your eligibility for several discounts offered by the insurance company.
How Long Will Distracted Driving Affect My Insurance Rate?
Most violations have applied strict laws and penalties for drivers who use their phones while driving. These laws vary by region and stay, but they all involve license suspension, fines, and jail for repeat offenders. However, the penalty for distracted driving is more than legal ramifications to affect your insurance rate.
Consequential violations related to distracted driving may be left on your driving record for a longer period, and insurance companies will keep them in account for 6 to 8 years after the occurrence, even when they are no longer on your record.
Other Factors That Affect Insurance Rates
As previously stated, auto insurance companies look into your records to determine your rates. It is state-mandated for insurers to evaluate rates accordingly. Every change made must be justified and approved, making it fair for every driver. Aside from distracted driving, the following are other factors that affect insurance rates:
- Car type.
- Driving habit.
- Age.
- Gender.
- Where you live.
- Driving record.
Using these factors, insurance companies can determine the level of risk you pose and determine rates and premiums enough to cover these risks.