Texting while driving violations can result in higher car insurance premiums, with potential increases averaging around 23%, as indicated by recent studies. However, the impact on premiums can vary depending on several factors, such as the state you live in and the policies of your insurer. Some states and companies may be less severe in penalizing this offense, potentially leading to a smaller premium increase or no increase at all.
On average, receiving a texting while driving ticket could raise the cost of a basic liability only auto insurance policy by approximately $143 per year. For those with full coverage policies, the increase could be as much as $463 annually. It’s worth noting that even if you don’t face a direct surcharge due to a clean driving record otherwise, you might still lose out on a good driver discount, resulting in a similar effect on your vehicle insurance premiums.
High-risk drivers, who already have higher insurance premiums, may experience more significant consequences from texting and driving violations, making it more challenging for them to secure affordable coverage.
The tickets have to go on the driving records to be seen and used in premium calculations by insurance companies. Where texting is considered a moving violation, it can be dealt with the same severity as other moving violations like speeding tickets and raise vehicle insurance premiums but every company would treat it differently as well. Many car insurers start treating distracted driving seriously because it has a high potential to cause accidents.
Generally, motorists should be aware of all the consequences of texting while driving including causing accidents. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it is like driving blind when motorists take their eyes off the road to read or write a text. They would be oblivious to slowing traffic ahead or another vehicle pulling in front of them.
Some states like California are much harsher against texting while operating a vehicle with severe fines, points on licenses and quicker license suspension. Also, automobile insurance premiums can go up as much as 45% in California due to a texting violation.
On the other hand, although it is illegal to text and drive in nearly all states, there are no laws in Montana and Missouri makes it illegal for only drivers under the age of 21. Consideration of the ticket differs as well. Many states consider it as a moving violation and even apply points to licenses but this practice isn’t uniform across the country. And North Carolina and Idaho don’t allow texting violations to be considered while car insurance premiums are calculated.
These days traffic accident investigators can check if any of the drivers involved in the accident was texting when a collision happened. If they find out that you were texting and that is what caused the accident, the consequences can be very severe as you can be charged with reckless driving and endangering lives. This could lead to criminal convictions, especially when there are injuries and deaths.
At times the effect of a texting citation can be severe if it gets the driver license suspended due to too many points. License suspensions on record would impact auto insurance rates considerably and people would be required SR-22 forms after getting their licenses back that would add to the costs.
So, motorists should either invest in devices to receive phone calls handsfree or download apps that would prevent people receiving and sending text while they are in a vehicle. As the consequences clearly explained above, prevention may be the best solution. There are already various apps available that can read out text messages or dictate messages for you, allowing you to stay connected without taking your eyes off the road or hands off the wheel.
If you got a texting while driving ticket and cannot avoid it affecting your car insurance, you should remember that every company looks at tickets differently. That is why motorists should always shop around no matter how bad their records are and try to find the lowest price in their circumstances. This is the only method that would tell which company would charge you affordable rates and much more effective than trying to find auto insurers who won’t increase premiums for texting.