If you get caught running a red light, there is a good chance that your auto insurance rates will be affected.
Red light violations will usually count as two or more points against your license. The more points on your license, the more your car insurance
rates are likely to increase. The good news is that some insurance companies will treat traffic violations less seriously than others, so shopping around can help you save.
With that in mind, trustworthy super app
and licensed broker Jerry
has put together everything you need to know to find the best car insurance rates after a red light violation. Will running a red light increase my insurance rates?
Probably, but there are exceptions. The more points on your record, the more your insurance rates are likely to increase.
Running a red light is generally considered a more serious traffic violation than things like parking or speeding tickets. Most states will deduct at least two points from your license for running a red, and your insurance rates could increase as a result of the ticket.
Getting points on your license doesn’t necessarily mean that your insurance rates will increase, though. Some insurance companies treat red-light violations less seriously than others, and some providers will forgive first-time transgressions.
What if I get caught by a red light camera?
If you get caught by a red light camera, you may not face the same insurance increases you would if a police officer ticketed you. It all depends on the laws in place in the state where you get ticketed.
Plenty of states will let you off the hook with just a ticket if you’re caught speeding by a camera. In this case, the insurance company may choose to treat the ticket like a traffic violation—but they may not. If state laws work in your favor and your insurance company lets you off the hook, you might not have to pay more for your insurance.
What if I don’t have other violations on my record?
Many insurance providers will forgive your first-time offense as long as you have no other serious violations on your record.
Most insurance companies will also reward drivers for maintaining a clean driving record. Some offer accident forgiveness programs that essentially ignore your first at-fault accident so it won’t raise your insurance premium.
Key Takeaway If you’re ticketed by a police officer for running a red, your insurance premiums will likely increase. If you’re caught by a red light camera, you might get off with a ticket that won’t affect your rates.
How to avoid higher insurance prices
If you have violations on your driving record, you still have options to help minimize the negative impact on your insurance premiums.
Wait three–five years
Even if you can’t get the points removed, they won’t stay on your record forever. While it varies by provider, most violations are ignored by insurance companies after three to five years.
Fight the ticket
You always have the right to contest a traffic ticket. If you decide to fight your ticket, the case could be thrown out. Alternatively, a judge may choose to reduce your fine or take fewer points off your license.
Note that if you lose, you’ll end up paying more to go to court.
Take a traffic course
Many states reward drivers who complete an approved driving course by removing two to four points from their driving record. Be sure to check in with your state requirements before you enroll.
Shop around
Some insurance companies consider red-light violations minor offenses while others consider them major offenses. Drivers with major offenses are considered higher risk and therefore pay higher premiums.
Here are the average annual insurance premiums for drivers with violations on their record:
That’s not the only way that insurance rates vary between providers, though. Some companies put less weight on driving history when calculating your premiums. Others might ignore your violation if it was your first offense.
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Why shopping around for insurance pays off
If you don’t want to be paying more for your insurance than you have to, shopping around almost always pays off. Traffic violations or not, no two insurance companies calculate their rates using the same formula. If you aren’t comparing rates, you’re probably missing out on opportunities to save.
Using the free car insurance
comparison app, Jerry
, will make your life easier. Jerry is the easiest and most effective way to find a car insurance policy that is customized for you. After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. They even help cancel your old policy! So why do all that extra work when Jerry can do it better?
Saved $725 annually
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