You Can Still Save Money on Car Insurance After a Cell Phone Ticket
Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 3 min read
Most of us know that
distracted driving
is dangerous, but as technology continues to evolve, more people are using their cell phones while driving. If you get caught, a cell phone ticket will negatively affect your driving record. However, even if it’s not your first offense,
Jerry
can still help you save on car insurance
.
Cell phone tickets and your driving record
In most states, distracted driving is taken pretty seriously because of how dangerous it is. In fact, even back in 2010, the
National Safety Council
estimated that cell phone use while driving was causing 1.6 million crashes each year. In some states, a cell phone ticket will lead to a hefty fine. It could also add points to your driving record. It’s important to know your state’s laws because you could lose your license if you accumulate too many points.
Car insurance and cell phone tickets
Depending on the laws in your state, your insurance premiums might also go up if you get a cell phone ticket. According to
Insurance.com
, the average rate of increase for insurance after a cell phone ticket is 23%, but it could also be as low as 12% or as high as 45%. This is not pocket change; if you have a $ 2,000 per year premium, an average cell phone ticket increase will cost you an additional $460 per year!
The website also points out that if your state treats texting while driving as a simple moving violation, then it’s the same as any minor ticket. But multiple moving violations will still lead to an insurance rate increase.
The financial impact also depends on your car insurance company. Some companies might not care too much about a single ticket, while others will immediately raise your rates or decide you no longer qualify for a good driver discount.
Save on car insurance even after a cell phone ticket
If you find yourself with a car insurance rate increase after a cell phone ticket, it’s a good idea to shop around and compare quotes.
Jerry’s
free app compares quotes from up to 45 different insurance companies for you in under a minute, without any long forms to fill out. Using this technology, Jerry saves drivers an average of almost $1,000 on their car insurance, even after receiving a cell phone ticket!
Jerry will send you quotes that compare to your current coverage—and as a licensed broker, it takes care of your insurance needs from start to finish. The app also monitors your car insurance rate every six months on an ongoing basis, to ensure you always receive the best available rate.
