Here's How Much Getting a Traffic Ticket Will Boost a Driver's Insurance Rates

As with other goods and services, auto insurance costs have been skyrocketing.

Drivers are paying an average of 26% more this year for coverage than they were a year ago, according to Bankrate.com. That makes the national average an annual $2,543, which is prohibitive for many families.

Though premiums are affected by personal factors, including one's gender, age, address, and annual miles driven, motorists with clean driving records will always pay less than those with moving violations and/or at-fault accidents on their records. According to a study conducted by the insurance website TheZebra.com, getting a moving violation can boost premiums by as much as 82%, depending on the severity.

Relatively minor offenses might not automatically hike one's rates, especially if it's one's first violation and especially if the issuing body allows recipients to attend traffic school or driver-safety classes to keep tickets off their records.

The most serious infractions may even cause the insurer to cancel an offender's policy altogether.

Based on The Zebra's analysis of 61 million auto insurance rates across the U.S., the citation that will most boost an offender's rates is a hit-and-run violation at the aforementioned 82%.

Meanwhile, the tickets that will least affect one's insurance premiums are fail- ure to wear a seatbelt, with a mere 4.0% hike, and driving without headlights on at night at 3.4%.

We're citing The Zebra's list of the 15 costliest moving violations concerning annual premiums in the accompanying box. Of course, like everything else regarding insurance, these hikes will vary from state to state and from one insurer to another.

Take note that there are ways to soften the blow should one's auto insurance costs spike. For starters, shop around among multiple carriers to see which ones can provide a lower rate. Some companies are more willing to take on certain elements of risk than others without overly penalizing drivers for being issued particular citations.

Motorists can also save some money by raising deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage and dropping add-ons like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement.

Also, make sure the policy includes all of the insurer's applicable discounts.

These include rate reductions for covering multiple vehicles, bundling home and auto policies, paying annually or semi-annually instead of monthly, and so on. Lower premiums can also be obtained by raising deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage, dropping add-ons like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement, and/or completing a defensive driving course.

Of course, the best way to maintain affordable auto insurance premiums is to stay sober and always follow the rules of the road behind the wheel.

The 15 Costliest Moving Violations For Auto Insurance Rates

1. Hit and run: +82.2% (+$1,209)

2. Refusing a breathalyzer test: +74.1% (+$1,089)

3. DUI: +73.9% (+$1,086)

4. Racing: +73.7% (+$1.084)

5. Reckless driving: +70.4% (+$1,034)

6. Driving with a suspended license: +62.4% (+$918)

7. At-fault accident: +42% (+$617)

8. Driving with an open container: +34.9% (+$513)

9. Operating a vehicle without permission: +32.8% (+$482)

10. Passing a stopped school bus: +27.0% (+$398)

11. Improper passing: +23.4% ($344)

12. Following too closely: +23.3% (+$342)

13. Speeding: +23.2% (+$341)

14. Failure to stop at a red light: +22.7% ($333)

15. Illegal Turn: +22.6% (+332)

The above are national averages for single-violation rate increases; those with multiple tickets on their records will likely see be subjected to even higher premiums or may lose coverage altogether.

Source: TheZebra.com