Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Will That Ticket Effect My Insurance Rates?


If you just got pulled over and were issued a ticket - after wondering "why me?" - your thoughts probably turned to the question of whether that citation will impact your insurance rates - right? The simple, short answer is YES.  But, as a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney - I never accept simple answers.

Believe it or not, your driving record is almost as important as your credit report when it comes to saving money on car insurance. More often than not, when it comes time to renew your policy, your insurance provider (whether it's the one with the gecko, that aggressive/progressive woman Flo, that silly duck or whoever) will request a copy of your driving record to see if you have incurred any new moving violations. If you have - they're more apt to see you as a higher risk and in turn will probably adjust your rates accordingly.

More that Just a Fine

Everyone who has been issued a ticket understands that it is going to cost you something. However, if you believe that one citation will cost you just the fine, think again. Also, if you get more than one ticket - over a rather short period of time - that accumulation of infractions could cost you not only a lot of money but you could also lose your driver's license.  


What are the Costs?

Before you decide to put the pedal to the medal, you should first consider the total cost of getting caught for Speeding. In addition to the fines and assorted court costs and fees you'll be assessed, you may lose your insurance company's "good driver" discount and in-turn see your insurance rates go up - for several years. Or, even worse, your insurance provider may see fit to drop you all together - if you continue to pick up tickets.  In addition, getting a number of tickets, in a short period of time, could result in the government suspending your driver's license.


What Should You Do?

Some serious traffic violations are considered criminal charges in the State of Minnesota. Therefore, the best thing you can do if you get a  ticket for a violation like Extreme Speed, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving or Drunk Driving/DWI is to seek out an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney to evaluate the situation, explain your legal rights and to represent you in court.

An attorney may be able to help you get the ticket dropped or have your fine or other penalties reduced. He may also be able to help you to keep your driving record clean and your insurance rates low.  A lawyer could also assist you in keeping your driver's license and/or (in the worse case scenario) get your driving privileges back.

If you have been charged with Speeding, Careless or Reckless Driving or DWI - contact The Rolloff Law Office for a free evaluation of your case. The effort you put forth today could save you from a greater degree of misery in the future. 

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