Will My Rates Increase?
I recently received a ticket in Minnesota for violating the hands-free law by texting at a red light (I know, I made a mistake). I’m curious if my car insurance rates will rise if I plead guilty and pay the fine. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!
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It’s understandable to be concerned about how a ticket might affect your insurance rates. In Minnesota, a violation of the hands-free law is considered a non-criminal offense, so it generally won’t have as severe of an impact as other moving violations. However, insurance companies vary in how they assess risk and determine rates.
Impact on Rates: While a minor violation like texting at a red light may not result in a significant increase, there’s a chance it could still impact your rates, especially if you have other infractions or if your insurer regularly increases rates for any violations.
Pleading Guilty: If you plead guilty and pay the fine, that violation might go on your driving record, which insurers can see. Some companies may choose to review your driving history at each renewal, while others may only check annually.
Checking with Your Insurer: The best approach is to contact your insurance provider to ask how a hands-free violation would affect your policy specifically. They can give you insight into how similar incidents have influenced rates in the past.
Traffic School: In some cases, completing a traffic safety course may help mitigate the effects of the violation, so it’s worth asking about that option as well.
Lastly, it’s a good reminder to stay safe on the road! Good luck!