Car Insurance and speeding ticket question......

[tcs69rt]

So, I am 50 and got a ticket for speeding and illegal lane change. Woman doing 45 in a 55 in the left lane. I passed her on the right and state trooper got me for 69 in a 55. Anyways I renew my insurance twice a year. Nothing was said until second renewal with the ticket. It increased $500 a year. I called and was told this would be my new rate for the next 5 years due to my ticket. I said you are "fining me" $2500 basically for the next 5 years? I said the ticket was $280.50, cheaper than this increase. Is this normal? Because I have not had a ticket since I was 24 yrs old and it was 35 in a 25 zone that was erased in traffic school.

So, I told the operator that I have never had an accident and don't understand the huge increase? I said you already doubled my annual insurance 3 years ago when my 16 yr old son was added to the policy. I said my sons college is getting me for 130 grand = CSU. I cannot afford the increase and don't want to pay it. So, we have to decide if you drop me or keep me? They put me on hold for 30 seconds and came back on to say send the normal payment in. Really, that's all it took?

This is Geico that I dropped USAA for years ago because Geico was $400 a year cheaper for EXACT same coverages.

What has been your experience? Thanks TC

[ACUDANUT]

 

[Troy]

Yeah, I try to get all my tickets in other states (the insurance company usually figures it out from the "point" on your license). I learned long ago that it's cheaper and easier to fight the tickets (although a giant pain itself).

Troy

[dual fours]

USAA is for Vets and family ?. How can you get it in Canada ?

His location shows Colorado. But then again I do not know him or just where he is living.

[ws23rt]

The insurance -market- seems to be more active these days than years past.
Good old competition.
If anything happens with your insurance that makes you cringe-it might be time to do some shopping.

Example-- I had a policy for my 69 coronet with -american collectors- and was not happy with the cost from day one.  The car sat in the garage for 90% of the time and I drove it maybe a hundred miles last year. 
When the bill came for me to pay almost $800 to do this again for another year I had a sit down with my ins. agent.
I now have the same coverage with another company for $300.

The size of that difference speeks about -"the market"- Their are many companys that want our business. All we need to do is remind our insurance company just who is in the drivers seat.

[tcs69rt]

ws23rt = Care to share the name of your Insurance company? Hagerty has been getting me for close to $450 a year for 25 grand coverage on a 69 Charger.

[Kern Dog]

I'd surely tell Geico to take a big lick from my ass. Friggin jerkoffs.

[Mike DC]

Speeding tickets function as a driving tax.  The govt & insurance company each get their cut.  (Be thankful you aren't a 19yo male minority who gets "profiled" a lot.)

You could have paid a lawyer to amend it to a non-moving violation.  That would mean paying the lawyer a cut & doubling the govt's normal cut.  But it would have denied the insurance company their cut.   


See what kind of quote you can get from another insurance company.  People change them all the time now because staying long-term loyal to one company isn't being rewarded enough.

[Aero426]

See what kind of quote you can get from another insurance company.  People change them all the time now because staying long-term loyal to one company isn't being rewarded enough.

Agree.    Have an independent agent representing several lines get some quotes.   I did this on my collector cars and later on my home and auto policies and it worked out great.     

[funknut]

+1 on the lawyer recommendation.

Not free at all but way cheaper than seeing your rates jump.  jusst about any normal traffic ticket can be plead down to a non moving violation. At least in every state I've ever gotten stung.

Last one 2 years ago I got ticketed out of state for 90 in a 75. Ticket was around $300, lawyer cost about the same. I walked away with no points and had to stay ticket free for 6 mos. no idea how'd they'd verify that as I'm 6 states over.

Plus your driving record stays clean.

[JB400]

No speeding tickets, but for some dumb reason, all the insurance companies want me to pay $400/6 months.  It starts out around $120/6m. then in a span of 3-4 years, it slowly increases to that $400.  I had Progressive for about 4 years, and it did the exact same thing.  I talked to the insurance agent, which give me a quote for several companies.  Progressive was one of those companies.  $125/6m. while I was already a customer and had a bill in hand for $400!!!

Lesson learned.  Change insurance companies every few years.

[ws23rt]

ws23rt = Care to share the name of your Insurance company? Hagerty has been getting me for close to $450 a year for 25 grand coverage on a 69 Charger.

My agent plugged in my info with -Safeco- It is antique auto coverage.
I do admit that I am puzzled that the car is identified as a 69 dodge --only--??
My insurance document excludes the vin.

Me and my insurance company have a legal document to work with but--- If I had more than one -69 car that is a dodge- (for example) and made a claim--??  This feels like a problem area at claim time.

I will ask the question and get back with what I learn.

[ws23rt]

See what kind of quote you can get from another insurance company.  People change them all the time now because staying long-term loyal to one company isn't being rewarded enough.

Agree.    Have an independent agent representing several lines get some quotes.   I did this on my collector cars and later on my home and auto policies and it worked out great.      

 Let's put the market back to work for us.  Make your agent do what they are in business to do.
If we ask no questions we will get no answers.

[draftingmonkey]

Many years back when I was a young Marine I tried to get insurance through Geico for my '74 Charger. They would not sell me a policy so since then I have told them to pound sand when they try to sell me insurance.

Example-- I had a policy for my 69 coronet with -american collectors- and was not happy with the cost from day one.  The car sat in the garage for 90% of the time and I drove it maybe a hundred miles last year. 
When the bill came for me to pay almost $800 to do this again for another year I had a sit down with my ins. agent.
I now have the same coverage with another company for $300.

Interesting. I have American Collectors for my '53 Jag and '67 Charger which combined run me under $200 a year here in CA where rates are typically higher. When I moved to CA from WA my rates doubled. Insurance is quite the racket, isn't it.

[chargerperson]

Best to contest traffic tickets based on my experience.

Was ticketed for 81 in a 55 and had it reduced to failure to adhere traffic control device or something like that - no points offense - by utilizing a lawyer. 

Also had an accident where I rear ended a car (my fault).  Got zero points for that one as my lawyer contested it and the trooper did not show for the court appearance.

I have Hagerty for insurance - there are very easy to deal with but a little expensive.  Since I just had $$$ restoration I insured the car for a very high price so the cost is definitely up there

[oldcarnut]

I don't think that it matters what state you get ticketed in as they are all linked togethor for reporting.  Insurance gets notified too.  In my area they like to write careless operation tickets for most everything.  The money stays in the city instead of going to the state because it functions as a city ordinance type thing.  They say it's a no point ticket but insurance will still dock you two insurance points for it against your policy. 

[Troy]

I don't think that it matters what state you get ticketed in as they are all linked togethor for reporting.  Insurance gets notified too.  In my area they like to write careless operation tickets for most everything.  The money stays in the city instead of going to the state because it functions as a city ordinance type thing.  They say it's a no point ticket but insurance will still dock you two insurance points for it against your policy. 

They are NOT all linked together. Some are. You have to do some research. A lot of times neighboring states are. For example, Ohio has information sharing agreements with something like 11 states. However, that doesn't mean the points from a ticket will necessarily show up back home.

In the same way you can fight actual tickets, you can negotiate with your insurance company. I learned long ago not to just "accept the consequences". It sucks because I feel people should be responsible for their actions - but, often in our society, those people get screwed.

Troy

[stripedelete]

I don't think that it matters what state you get ticketed in as they are all linked togethor for reporting.  Insurance gets notified too.  In my area they like to write careless operation tickets for most everything.  The money stays in the city instead of going to the state because it functions as a city ordinance type thing.  They say it's a no point ticket but insurance will still dock you two insurance points for it against your policy. 

They are NOT all linked together. Some are. You have to do some research. A lot of times neighboring states are. For example, Ohio has information sharing agreements with something like 11 states. However, that doesn't mean the points from a ticket will necessarily show up back home.

In the same way you can fight actual tickets, you can negotiate with your insurance company. I learned long ago not to just "accept the consequences". It sucks because I feel people should be responsible for their actions - but, often in our society, those people get screwed.

Troy

I was pretty much thinking the same as oldcarnut.   Never had one not follow me home (I'm also in Ohio)

Google "Drivers License Compact" before your next out of state traffic crime spree. They all share with the exception of 5.   However,  points may not show up in your license if your out of state violation is legal in your home state. ie right on red.

[Troy]

I don't think that it matters what state you get ticketed in as they are all linked togethor for reporting.  Insurance gets notified too.  In my area they like to write careless operation tickets for most everything.  The money stays in the city instead of going to the state because it functions as a city ordinance type thing.  They say it's a no point ticket but insurance will still dock you two insurance points for it against your policy. 

They are NOT all linked together. Some are. You have to do some research. A lot of times neighboring states are. For example, Ohio has information sharing agreements with something like 11 states. However, that doesn't mean the points from a ticket will necessarily show up back home.

In the same way you can fight actual tickets, you can negotiate with your insurance company. I learned long ago not to just "accept the consequences". It sucks because I feel people should be responsible for their actions - but, often in our society, those people get screwed.

Troy

I was pretty much thinking the same as oldcarnut.   Never had one not follow me home (I'm also in Ohio)

Google "Drivers License Compact" before your next out of state traffic crime spree. They all share with the exception of 5.   However,  points may not show up in your license if your out of state violation is legal in your home state. ie right on red.

I've gotten a speeding ticket in PA on the trip to Carlisle nearly every year since I've been going. They have never shown up on my Ohio license or my insurance.

Troy

[bakerhillpins]

I've gotten a speeding ticket in PA on the trip to Carlisle nearly every year since I've been going. They have never shown up on my Ohio license or my insurance.

Troy

I got 3 tickets in 2 weeks in College (2 in NY/1 NJ) and I just paid the fine immediately. None ever followed me back to my PA license. I got one in NY about 12yrs ago and I got it changed from speeding to not following a traffic control device with a letter to the judge. Paid it and it didn't go to my NH license. All my buds that "ignored them" found they did make it onto their license eventually when it caught back up. I was under the impression at those times there was reciprocity agreements in place between the states in question.

My general feeling is that if you pay the fine, they got their pound of flesh. Being understaffed and overworked, there is no reward by forwarding it on to your home state. As a result it's just ignored and "closed".

As always YMMV.

[Baldwinvette77]

i got a speeding ticket, going 79 mph in a 55 when i was down in the states... my car insurance dropped by $15 a month immediately after. i shit you not 

[DixieRestoParts]

TC, I'd definitely shop the insurance around. Although, I'd stay with a well rated company.

I got dinged for a accident that USAA overpaid on. I failed to fight it in time. It's still haunting me. I need to shop around myself, just been to busy.

[BrianShaughnessy]

in NY,  always plead not guilty for a ticket ...  ask for deposition (if it's not already included on some tickets).

The fines, etc. for speeding ticket mostly go to the state.    Local courts keep the $$$ from infractions.  

When you show up at court for trial,   you'll consult with either a DA or the cop.    Mostly you'll get a deal to an infraction (parking on pavement or something stupid like that) or reduced charge with either 0 or lesser points.    Take the deal,  pay the man and go.  

If by chance you didn't receive the deposition in the mail. most likely your charge will be dropped entirely.    Some tickets are now the deposition also.  Have to check it over.

It used to be that if the cop that wrote the ticket didn't show,  you'd get dropped too but last time that happened to me it didn't work out since the town DA was there.

[chargerperson]

in NY,  always plead not guilty for a ticket ...  ask for deposition (if it's not already included on some tickets).

The fines, etc. for speeding ticket mostly go to the state.    Local courts keep the $$$ from infractions.  

When you show up at court for trial,   you'll consult with either a DA or the cop.    Mostly you'll get a deal to an infraction (parking on pavement or something stupid like that) or reduced charge with either 0 or lesser points.    Take the deal,  pay the man and go.  

If by chance you didn't receive the deposition in the mail. most likely your charge will be dropped entirely.    Some tickets are now the deposition also.  Have to check it over.

It used to be that if the cop that wrote the ticket didn't show,  you'd get dropped too but last time that happened to me it didn't work out since the town DA was there.

I had similar experience in NY.  Rear ended a car, lawyer asked for deposition which did not arrive and cop was no show in court so no ticket and no points
Insurance company did pay the other driver for my regressions plus I paid deductible but no points on license