New study breaks down how much traffic tickets can raise car insurance

A Single Traffic Ticket Can Raise Car Insurance Costs as Much as 82%

The traffic violation with the single biggest impact on car insurance rates is leaving the scene of an accident — a “hit and run.” Drivers charged with this crime can expect to pay on average 82% (or $1,200+) more per year for car insurance.

However, insurance penalties for traffic violations don’t always line up with what drivers may assume is the most dangerous driving behavior. Getting a ticket for driving too slowly, for example, can spike rates nearly as much as speeding in a school zone. BASED ON A NATIONAL ANALYSIS OF 61 MILLION CAR INSURANCE RATES

How Driving Violations Impact What You Pay for Car Insurance

Violation
Insurance Rate Increase by %
Insurance Rate Increase by $
Hit and Run
82.2%
$1,209
Refusal of Breathalyzer/Chemical Test
74.1%
$1,089
DUI
73.9%
$1,086
Racing
73.7%
$1,084
Reckless Driving
70.4%
$1,034
Driving with a Suspended License
62.4%
$918
At-Fault Accident
42.0%
$617
Driving with an Open Container
34.9%
$513
Operating a Vehicle without Permission
32.8%
$482
Passing a School Bus
27.0%
$398
Improper Passing
23.4%
$344
Following Too Closely
23.3%
$342
Speeding*
23.2%
$341
Failure to Stop at a Red Light
22.7%
$333
Illegal Turn
22.6%
$332
Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane
22.5%
$331
Failure to Yield
22.4%
$330
Speeding in School Zone
21.0%
$308
Driving Too Slowly
20.7%
$305
Distracted Driving/Cell Phone Violation
19.7%
$290
Driving with Expired Registration
10.9%
$161
Failure to Show Documents
8.7%
$128
Not-at-Fault Accident
6.7%
$98
Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint
4.3%
$63
Failure to Wear a Seat Belt
4.0%
$59
Driving without Lights
3.4%
$51