Will Traffic Tickets Affect My Auto Insurance Rates in Washington
Reader’s Question:
I’ve had a few traffic violation citations here in Washington State. How will my driving history affect my vehicle insurance policy rates? The latest violation I had happened 2 months ago.
Anthony,
Bellevue, WA
The Washington State Office notes that auto insurance companies must compute the vehicle insurance rates based on the dollar amount. This base rate must be adjusted according to certain factors determined by the auto insurance company. These are gender, age, marital status, model and make of the vehicle, driving history, credit history, claims history, and geographical area. The vehicle insurance carrier may impose an additional charge if you have been in an accident or you have violated a traffic rule. This is referred to as a surcharge.
The WA Department of Leasing (DOL) notes that convictions and violations or infractions will be kept in your driving record for five years upon the conviction date. For collisions, this will be recorded in your MVR. The record will show who are involved in the incident, whether one or none of the involved parties were parked when the incident happened, the persons affected and the type of injury it caused them. For private vehicles, the incident will stay in the driver’s record for 5 years, while for commercial vehicles, it’s 10 years.
In WA, the auto insurance company decides on how long the violations or accidents could affect a driver’s vehicle’s insurance rate. However, most insurance companies will rate you based on your moving violations for a period of 3, 5 or 7 years, depending on the frequency of occurrence of the violations and accidents.
Automobile Insurance Claim Washington
Reader’s Question:
If a pedestrian gets hit by a vehicle in Shoreline Washington, which car insurance is primary?
George
Shoreline, WA
If the automobile driver was at fault in the accident in Shoreline Washington and had personal injury protection (PIP) normally this would be primary and would extend to the pedestrian they caused injury to. The bodily injury liability coverages of the driver would be secondary.
The Washington State law does not require drivers to have personal injury protection coverage, but an insurance carrier must offer it to policyholders.
If you as a pedestrian is is at fault due to dodging into traffic in front of a vehicle, jaywalking or or some other negligent act, then you would need to check if you own personal injury protection coverages (if you have this as part of your own auto insurance) would cover you and if not then your own health or medical insurance.
If you know someone who was a pedestrian hit by a vehicle and suffered injuries and you need more consumer advice on how to put an insurance claim, then contact the WA Office of Insurance Commissioner directly.
Auto Insurance Companies Washington
Reader’s Question:
I would like to know when auto insurance companies in Washington check driving records?
Carol
Spokane, WA
An insurance carrier in Spokane, WA can check your driving record anytime. The most common times that they check your driving records are:
- when you apply initially for auto insurance coverage
- when you request a change to your car insurance policy such as adding or removing drivers, change auto insurance coverage, etc.
- when you add a car to your car insurance policy or change the covered car
- when your car insurance policy comes up for renewal
- every two renewal cycles
Some insurance providers use a random method for checking driving records. Other insurance providers randomly spot check some car insurance policy records at the above intervals. This isn’t common, however it may happen with some car insurance companies.
Tips For Cheaper Rates On Auto Insurance in Washington
Reader’s Question:
Cheers to my promotion in Washington! I will soon be eligible to buy a brand car and I am both excited and anxious. Anxiety results from my ignorance with auto paper works and insurance. So what do I need to know when buying auto insurance policy in WA?
Matty
Bellingham, WA
Congratulations, Matty!
If you want to save on your car insurance here are a few tips that can help you as you search for vehicle insurance.
The best thing you need to do is comparison shop. It cannot hurt to shop around to check what other prices are out there. If the auto insurance price is higher you know you are where you need to be and if you find a lower car insurance rate you always have the option to change.
Another way to lower your car insurance premium is by increasing deductibles. The portion of money you pay before the insurance carrier pays for injuries or damages is called a deductible. You may save hundreds of dollars over the term of your car insurance policy if you choose the highest deductible that you can afford.
Some insurers provide various discounts so make sure you ask if there are insurance discounts that you can take advantage of. You may obtain insurance discounts for lower mileage usage if you live close to your job. Discounts are also given for safety features such as anti-lock breaks and airbags. So make sure you always ask for discounts when buying auto insurance in Bellingham Washington.
The best way to save on you car insurance premium is to maintain a good driving record. Your driving record is also a major determining factor on how much the car insurance premium rate will be. If you can maintain a safe driving record, without accidents or traffic violations on your driving history, your rates will be cheaper compared to those with violations on their driving record.
Washington Auto Insurance Rate
Reader’s Question:
I received a speeding ticket followed by an accident 30 days after in Washington State. How long will this affect my auto insurance rate?
Kevin
Bellevue, WA
Insurance providers in Washington may charge you more if you have been involved in an accident or have been convicted of one or more moving violations. This is referred to as surcharge. In addition to that, the more claims you file, the more likely your auto insurance rates will increase.
Since the Washington State insurance regulator does not provide any information that suggests the state has a restriction then it will be up to the individual insurance companies’ rating system to determine how long the citations and accident can affect your auto insurance rates. An insurance company will normally rate you on traffic violations and accidents for a period of 3, 5 or 7 years.
Basically the WA DOL ticket and the accident will both stay on your driving record for five years so it likely will be 3 or 5 years that your insurance company will rate you on these incidents. To find from your current insurance carrier and find out how long the speeding ticket and accident (plus claims if there were ones made) can affect your car insurance rates contact your agent.
Loading ...