In most cases, a cell phone ticket can affect your car insurance rates. An average 30 percent increase in rates could result from a ticket for talking on the phone while driving. Talking on your cell phone while driving is a moving violation which can lead to fines and higher rates.
Here’s what you need to know…
- Traffic laws may differ from one state or the next.
- Talking on your phone while driving can lead to many problems
- Depending on which insurance company you choose, your car insurance rates may go up by as much as 30% if you get ticketed for using your phone while driving.
My insurance will go up if I get a cell-phone ticket. Are cell phone tickets affecting insurance rates? It is possible to text or make a call using your cell phone.
Distracted driving is a major cause of car accidents in some states. They have passed laws encouraging drivers to turn off their cell phones. Car insurance rates are affected by tickets for distracted driving, which includes cell phone use. when it comes to a bad driving record, auto insurance gets expensive.
Cell phone use while driving is regulated in most states. Your car insurance rates will likely rise if you get a cell phone ticket. The jurisdiction where you were issued the ticket will determine what type of charge you face and the amount of the fine.
It is not difficult to get online car insurance quotes. Comparing car insurance quotes can help you find the best coverage and the lowest rates. Just enter your ZIP now to get started, but be honest about any cell phone tickets you’ve received.
If you get a ticket for talking on the phone while driving, your car insurance may increase.
Distracted driving affects car insurance rates and is a huge issue these days. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 3,000 people were killed in 2018 from distracted driving. Many states now take cell phone usage very seriously.
How do cell phone tickets impact insurance? How much does a ticket for texting while driving ticket increase insurance?
Your insurance company and the state where you were ticketed for talking while driving will determine how much your rates rise. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) states that 20 states prohibit hand-held cellphone usage when driving, and 48 states have banned texting and driving.
A ticket for using your phone to call will usually increase your car insurance rates. Depending on where your ticket was issued, the penalties you face will vary.
Let’s take, for example, a cell phone ticket can affect your car insurance rates, in South Carolina, California and Florida, if you have Geico.
These data show that not all insurance rates will be affected in the same way. Geico increases rates by 7% if you have a Florida cell phone ticket, but California’s rate increase is staggering at 75%.
These increases apply to one ticket. Multiple tickets on your driving record can cause your car insurance rates to skyrocket.
Like seat belt laws, the way a state views talking while driving violations can have an enormous impact on how much your insurance rates will rise.
One exception is the states in which talking on a cellphone while driving is not a primary offense.
These states prohibit you from driving while speaking in these states. You cannot be pulled over for driving while talking.
It is possible to negotiate with the court to have talking and driving not considered a primary offense.
Use your phone while driving
You can also use a headset or portable Bluetooth while driving. Many cars with Bluetooth are more modern and can be connected to your phone via Bluetooth. This allows you to talk hands-free from your car.
OnStar, which was a hands-free system for cars manufactured by General Motors for almost a decade, is now available as an aftermarket system that can easily be installed in any vehicle.
It is important to keep in mind that driving while talking to someone is illegal in some states, even if the person is not actually holding the phone.
Try to avoid talking on your phone while driving. If you have to answer the phone, stop at the side of the road and speak to someone.
It’s best not to use your phone while driving. Wait until you get to your destination before you send or receive a text.
States that ban handheld devices
There are currently twenty states that ban the use of handheld devices while driving. These include Hawaii, Delaware, Georgia, Georgia and California.
These handheld devices are prohibited:
- Cell phones
- Portable music players
- Tablet computers
- Palm Pilots
Some states, such as California and New York, allow cell phone use while driving. As long as the headset or Bluetooth device is used, you can talk on your cell phone.
Is it a violation of the law to talk on a cell-phone?
Nearly every state considers cell phone law violations to be at most a moving violation. Some states consider them a misdemeanor. Any type of moving violation affects car insurance rates.
Are cell phone tickets recorded on your driving record? They can be added to your driving record, particularly if they are considered a violation of the law. Along with points on your driving record, you will also see an increase in car insurance.
28 states also ban new drivers from using their cell phones and impose severe penalties. If a driver is cited, they will see an increase in their insurance rates.
States that allow handheld devices
Some states allow drivers to use their cell phones while driving. There are 34 states that prohibit texting while driving.
Texting while driving can be just as dangerous than talking while driving. States take this seriously and will penalize those who do not comply.
It is also important to remember that over half of all states prohibit the use of cell phones while driving, including new drivers and those with multiple moving violations.
To discourage young drivers from engaging this kind of activity, many states impose severe fines and add points on a driver’s license.
A point threshold is a common way for car insurance companies to increase rates. A rate increase might not be effective until you have reached a threshold of five points. This allows you to talk on the phone for two more times before rates go up.
You will be fined if you have a ticket for talking on the telephone and another for speeding.
You should now be looking for car insurance rates that are better than what you currently pay. Compare quotes now by entering your ZIP to get the cheapest rates even if you’ve gotten cell phone tickets.
Most Common Questions About Car Insurance and Cell Phone Tickets
Continue reading to find answers to common questions regarding cell phone tickets.
What is the cost of calling in New Jersey for a phone call?
Tickets in NJ for driving while using a cell phone start at $200 per offense. Your driving license can be suspended for up 90 days and you can get points.
What is the cost of a Connecticut ticket to use your phone?
For each offense, you will be assessed cell phone ticket points in Connecticut. Each time you are cited, you will be given two points and the fines begin at $150.
What was the cost of cell phone tickets in California?
California cell phone tickets were $20 in 2017 as a base penalty. What is the talking price for a phone ticket in 2020 Surprised to find that fines remain the same in 2020? Additional fees and penalties can be added to increase the fines, which could add up to $150.
