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Will A Traffic Ticket Conviction Raise My Auto Insurance Rates?

Insurance.com recently analyzed nationally more than 490,000 auto insurance quotes reviewing the rate differences based on various types of traffic ticket convictions. Reckless driving was the most expensive violation of the ones surveyed, with an average rate increase of 22 percent. While driving without a seat belt had the lowest uptick of only 3 percent. Below is the list.

I don’t think these percentages translate 100% for New York drivers but they do provide a good guide.  Under NY Insurance Law Section 2335, New York insurance companies may raise a motorist’s insurance rates for only the following traffic ticket convictions.

  • Speeding 16+ mph over the limit
  • Speeding and/or reckless driving on 3 or more occasions
  • Speeding or reckless driving where injury or death results
  • Driving while intoxicated or impaired (alcohol or drugs)
  • Leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it

For all other traffic ticket convictions, your auto insurance rates cannot be raised unless you have two or more such convictions.

I would therefore revise the Insurance.com’s estimates for New York motorists with one offense only as follows:

  • Reckless driving: 22 percent
  • DUI first offense: 19 percent
  • Driving without a license or permit:  18 percent
  • Careless driving:  0 percent
  • Speeding 30+ mph: 15 percent
  • Failure to stop:  0 percent
  • Improper turn:  0 percent
  • Improper passing:  0 percent
  • Following too close/tailgating: 0 percent
  • Speeding 16 to 29 mph over limit: 12 percent
  • Speeding 1 to 15 mph over limit: 0 percent
  • Failure to yield: 0 percent
  • No car insurance: 18 percent (in NY, this is a 1-year revocable offense)
  • Seat belt infractions: 0 percent
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