Like birthdays and bathroom visits: Traffic tickets happen.
But some moving violations are more serious than others, and the worst among them will impact a driver’s auto insurance rates for years to come.
The average yearly auto insurance premium for drivers in the United States ranges from $1,220 to $1,660, according to research conducted by insurance comparison site The Zebra. And while there are multiple factors that dictate an individual’s premium — including age, gender and location — perhaps few issues are as malleable as a policyholder’s driving record.
A good driving record translates into lower premiums. A poor driving record can have the opposite effect.
Drivers in the U.S. rack up between 25 and 50 million traffic tickets each year, according to the National Motorists Association.