Getting a traffic ticket can be a stressful experience, leaving drivers concerned about how it might affect their car insurance rates. This concern is heightened for tourists visiting Las Vegas for the weekend or during the holidays who suddenly find themselves facing a citation.
While many assume that all tickets lead to higher car insurance premiums, this isn’t always the case in Nevada. Understanding what tickets don’t affect i can provide peace of mind and help drivers navigate the complex world of traffic violations and insurance policies.
If you are facing a traffic ticket, whether you’re a resident of Nevada or a tourist, remember that you have the option of fighting the citation in court. This may be a worthwhile consideration, especially if you are worried about the potential impact on your insurance rates. If you need help with any ticket, contact our office for a free case evaluation.
Ticket Busters is a law firm that specializes in traffic ticket defense and has been helping drivers in Nevada for decades. With out office located in Las Vegas, our team of experienced attorneys have helped countless clients reduce or dismiss their traffic tickets, saving them time, money and stress.
Our team understands that getting a ticket can be an unexpected and overwhelming experience. That’s why we are dedicated to providing personalized attention and expert legal representation for each of our clients.
Call us at (702) 333-3333 to discuss your specific situation.
Types of Traffic Violations in Nevada
In Nevada, traffic violations are categorized into two main types: moving and non-moving violations. Moving violations occur when a vehicle is in motion, while non-moving violations can happen when a vehicle is stationary or in motion.
Moving Violations
Moving violations are considered more serious and can result in higher fines, points on the driver’s license, and potential license suspension. Common moving violations in Nevada include:
- Speeding: One of the most frequent violations which is going above the posted speed limit.
- Reckless driving: Operating a vehicle in a manner that endangers others on the road.
- Distracted driving: Using electronic devices, such as cell phones, while behind the wheel.
- Failure to yield: Not giving way to other vehicles or pedestrians when required.
- Running red lights or stop signs: Disregarding traffic signals and signs.
Non-Moving Violations
Non-moving violations are typically less severe and may result in lower fines and fewer or no points on the driver’s license. Common non-moving violations in Nevada include:
- Parking tickets: Parking illegally or for too long in a restricted area.
- Expired registration or insurance: Failure to renew vehicle registration or maintain proper insurance coverage.
- Equipment violations: Driving a vehicle with faulty equipment, such as broken headlights or taillights.
- Seat belt violations: Not wearing a seatbelt while driving or allowing passengers to ride without one.
Factors that Influence Insurance Rate Increases
While some traffic violations in Nevada may not result in an immediate increase in insurance rates, it is important to understand that they can still have an impact on your premiums. Insurance companies determine rates based on various factors, including:
Type of Violation
As mentioned earlier, moving violations are considered more serious than non-moving violations and can have a greater impact on insurance rates. Severity is factored in when determining the potential impact on insurance rates.
For example, an individual who received a reckless driving citation may see a higher rate increase compared to someone with a speeding ticket.
Number of Violations
Insurance companies also take into account the number of violations on a driver’s record. A history of frequent traffic citations may indicate to insurance companies that the driver is more prone to risky behavior, leading to potential rate increases.
Driving History
Along with the number of violations, insurance companies also consider the overall driving history of an individual. A clean driving record with no previous tickets or accidents may result in lower premiums despite receiving a recent citation.
On the other hand, if a driver has a history of multiple violations or accidents, their insurance rates are likely to increase even higher with a new ticket.
Insurance Company Policies
Each insurance company has its own policies and guidelines when it comes to calculating rates after traffic violations. Some companies may be more forgiving for certain types of offenses, while others may have stricter policies that result in larger rate increases.
Other Factors
Other factors such as age and driving experience can also influence insurance rates. Younger, inexperienced drivers may see a larger increase in rates compared to older, more experienced drivers with the same violation.
It is essential to review your insurance policy and understand how the company handles traffic violations to get a better idea of what to expect in terms of potential rate increases.
Understanding Nevada’s Demerit Point System
In addition to potential insurance rate increases, traffic violations in Nevada can also result in demerit points being added to a driver’s record. These points are used by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) as a way to track and penalize drivers for repeated offenses.
Points can range from one to eight, depending on the severity of the violation. For example, a speeding ticket may result in one or two points, while more serious offenses such as reckless driving can lead to six or eight points.
Accumulating too many points within a certain time frame can result in consequences such as license suspension or revocation. It is vital for drivers to understand how these point systems work and take appropriate
List of Common Traffic Tickets That Don’t Affect Insurance Premiums
While many traffic violations in Nevada can result in points being added to a driver’s record, there are some offenses that do not generally affect your car insurance premiums. These include:
- Parking tickets: These are considered non-moving violations and typically do not result in points or insurance rate increases.
- Fix-it tickets: These are citations for faulty equipment on a vehicle, such as a broken headlight or taillight. As long as the issue is resolved and proof is provided to the court, these tickets may not have an impact on insurance rates.
- Seatbelt violations: While wearing a seatbelt is crucial for safety, it is not directly related to driving behavior and therefore may not affect insurance premiums.
- Expired registration: These violations may result in fines, but they are not considered moving violations and do not typically result in insurance rate increases.
It is important to note that while these violations may not affect insurance rates, they can still add points to a driver’s record. It is always best to follow traffic laws and avoid receiving any citations or tickets.
These tickets also need to be addressed promptly. Ignoring them can result in additional fines and potential consequences such as license suspension. It is important to take all traffic citations seriously and address them accordingly. This not only helps to maintain a clean driving record but also ensures the safety of yourself and others on the road.
How to Avoid Increase In Car Insurance Premiums
As mentioned earlier, traffic violations can have a significant impact on car insurance premiums. To avoid potential rate increases, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Follow traffic laws: The best way to avoid receiving tickets is by following all traffic laws and obeying posted speed limits.
- Keep a clean driving record: Avoid accumulating points on your driving record by practicing safe driving habits and avoiding citations.
- Understand your insurance policy: It is important to review your insurance policy and understand how the company handles traffic violations. This will give you an idea of what to expect in terms of potential rate increases.
- Attend traffic school or defensive driving courses: In some cases, attending these courses may help reduce points on your record and potentially lower insurance premiums.
- Shop around for insurance: If you do receive a traffic violation that results in a rate increase, consider shopping around for different insurance companies to find the best rates.
By following these tips and being aware of how traffic violations can affect insurance premiums, drivers can help minimize potential consequences and maintain affordable car insurance rates.
Received a Traffic Ticket? Contact Ticket Busters for Help
If you have received a traffic ticket in Nevada, it is crucial to take action promptly. Contact Ticket Busters for professional and experienced help in handling your citation.
Our team of attorneys can assist in reducing or dismissing the charges, helping to avoid potential insurance rate increases and points on your driving record. Don’t let a traffic violation affect your insurance rates – let Ticket Busters handle it for you.
Contact our office today with information about your ticket and we will work to get you the best possible outcome.
