How Do Seatbelt Tickets Impact My Auto Insurance Premiums?

Does a Seatbelt Ticket Raise Your Insurance Rates?

Across the nation, drivers and passengers must buckle up for safety or risk being ticketed. You’ve likely heard of the “Click It or Ticket” initiative, but have you ever wondered how it affects you specifically? Some people worry that one seatbelt ticket may result in higher rates of auto insurance in Miami, FL. However, this isn’t always the case. Whether or not a seatbelt ticket increases your auto insurance premiums will depend on a few factors.

A seatbelt ticket is a conditional violation, meaning that you wouldn’t get pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt. However, if the officer pulls you over for some other reason and notices that your seatbelt isn’t fastened, you could get a seatbelt ticket on top of the ticket you receive. In any case, you may have to worry about the cost of the first offense (e.g. speeding) raising your premiums even more.

If you’re a driver with a clean driving record then getting a single ticket may or may not cause car insurance premiums to rise substantially. However, not all tickets are treated equally. A ticket for reckless driving, for example, will raise auto insurance premiums more than any other ticket – typically around 22 percent. In comparison, seatbelt tickets often hike up premiums by 3 percent. For the average driver, you may pay around $50 more per year for auto insurance after a single seatbelt violation.

Even if your insurer does see a seatbelt ticket on your record, the possibility of a rate increase will depend on their company guidelines. For example, some insurers will let it slide if it’s your first offense, while others will view it as a risk. Some insurers will raise your premium slightly, others may simply revoke your safe driver discount. It’s important to work with your insurer to understand your personal risk profile.

Talk to your local auto insurance agent to discover the right policy your needs. The team at UniVista Insurance are here to help. We serve the areas of Hialeah, Cutler Bay, Miami, and neighboring cities.

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