Does Getting a Parking Ticket Raise Insurance Rates?

You parked in the wrong location. You have a ticket to show for it. Will this raise your auto insurance costs? In most cases, tickets like this do not put your license at risk. They often do not impact your auto insurance rates either.

There are a few things to keep in mind, though. Before you disregard your next ticket, consider a few helpful tips.

What Do Auto Insurance Companies Want to Know?

Car insurance companies charge more for high-risk drivers. These are individuals who are more likely to cause accidents or injury to another person. Insurance companies base rates on this risk.

To learn of that risk, most insurance companies use driver’s license records. Too many moving violations will mean the driver is a high risk. However, not all tickets are equal. Non-moving violation tickets, including parking tickets, usually do not negatively impact your rates. However, letting them pile up could mean the DMV revokes your driving privileges.

What About Your License?

Unpaid parking tickets can be a problem down the road. Drivers who have unpaid tickets are usually unable to obtain or renew their license. The auto insurance company will likely receive notification of this. This may lead to significant fees and fines. It also can lead to a company seeing you as a higher risk. It is unlikely that a paid-on-time ticket would hurt your credit rating.

What Will Raise Your Car Insurance Rates?

Again, auto insurance companies look at risks. A driver with more risks usually pays more. Some examples of high-risk drivers include:

• Those who speed.
• Those who run red lights.
• Individuals who fail to stop for police or emergency vehicles.
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Any other type of moving violation.

The key here is to see the direct correlation between the vehicle and others. When a vehicle is at a higher likelihood to doing damage, risks rise. Car insurance companies often review this information. When they notice changes in a driver’s record, they may adjust the policy to reflect this.

All individuals should pay parking tickets as soon as possible. Never avoid them. Then, work with your car insurance agent. Be sure your insurance is enough. Be sure your rate will not go up from your current incident. Take the time necessary to choose an agent to help you protect your vehicle. Call us if you have any questions about your Santa Ana auto insurance.