Do all insurance companies make a habit of checking for tickets when renewing?

Question

Just got a ticket for 60 in a 50 zone. I'm 45 and haven't got a ticket or been in an accident since I was 20. REsponse is my insurance company and wonder if most companies check for tickets?The ticket was in another state also.

I would take a day to go to court(3 hour ride) if it was possible to rid myself of the points. I don't want to hire a lawyer.

Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Hire the lawyer.  It will often cost you LESS than the increase in the insurance premiums.  Those will hang on for 3 years in most cases and the cost of a lawyer to plead it down to a no points offense (common here in MO) will probably be less than one year's worth of insurance premium increases.  In my case, a $300 lawyer's bill knocked an 85 in a 70 to a $100 defective equipment charge (no points or insurance increase) and saved $450 a year in insurance increases.  Total 3 year savings:  $950, not including the $300 or so the original fine would have cost.

Most insurance companies do an automatic DMV check at each renewal so a conviction will be caught in most cases; if not this year then next year.

Another option would be Traffic School if your State offers it.  The Court Clerk's office can advise.  You can either use it to get lower insurance premiums OR have a single minor ticket dismissed every 2 or 3 years or so.  Cost would be pretty much the same either way in most cases.

Answer 2

yes most companies check for points at every renewal.  i agree, if you get a lawyer and get rid of it, it will cost you less in the long run.  pay the lawyer or pay higher premiums for the next 3 yrs.....hmmmm....easy choice! :)

Answer 3

Points are a state specific thing and are used to determine if you get your license suspended, etc.

Insurance looks at the MVRS report which is a national repository of all states DMV records for you.  This report shows your entire driving record including tickets and accidents.  Basically, unless the ticket gets thrown out or reduced to a non-moving violation it is still going to show up there.  A common misconception is that driving school lowers your insurance.  All this does is remove points from your license.  The ticket is still on your MVRS report.

Also, MOST insurance companies overlook 1 ticket and start surcharging when you have 2 or more.

And directly to your question...

Yes, almost all insurance companies look at this information when your policy renews.

Answer 4

Most companies will check your record when renewing your policy. They have to make sure that you are being rated correctly.

If you received the ticket but it ends up being dismissed or thrown out bc you go to court, it will not show up on your record.

But if it does, Speak with your agent. If you have been insured w/ the same company for some time, they may not charge you for the violation. Also, some companies waive the surcharge if you have only had 1 minor violation.

Hope this helps