In 2013, Over distracted driving killed 3,100 drivers, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Texting while driving is banned in 46 states. It’s also part of your insurance company’s price, discount and premium formulas. If you’re texting while driving, you might be risking higher rates—let alone your safety.
Use eTags© to Quickly Complete Your DMV Service. Renewals, Title Transfers and More, All Online!
More Accidents Means More Money
The Boston Globe reported that today’s insurers are boosting auto insurance premiums by three to six percent in Boston. In other states, drivers are seeing six to nine-percent increases. In North Carolina, premiums have skyrocketed by 13.8 percent for previous distracted drivers.
What’s the deal? At the end of the day, more accidents results in higher rates. Distracted driving has always been an issue, but it’s become a bigger issue since smartphones have been available. Young drivers are causing fatal road crashes. Texting, browsing Facebook and checking Snapchat, now, are causing road fatalities. Drivers between ages 16 and 24 are particularly guilty, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Modern Vehicle Factors
Texting and driving isn’t the only factor, either. Modern cars have high-tech features. These features give drivers immediate access to smartphone features. A lot of today’s drivers have found new ways to text, watch YouTube and navigate their music when behind the wheel. While a lot of manufacturers work to reduce the “hands on” aspect of smartphone use in the car, most provide the destructive technological options which enable drivers in the first place.
Traffic accidents involve medical bills, lawsuits and a slew of other fees. Between health care costs and inflation, insurance rates are jumping quickly. Depending on your state’s laws, you might face immediate insurance expenses due to a distracted driving citation.
Do Insurance Rates Always Go Up?
Here’s the good news: Not all insurance companies will boost your rates after a distracted driving incident. In Massachusetts, Idaho and Washington, for example, insurance companies can’t consider tickets when setting premium prices.
You should still watch out. In many states, a driver’s license point system can be used by insurance companies. If you’re sporting a texting ticket, they’ll see it. Serious violations are more likely to impact your insurance premiums. Small violations, meanwhile, might be passed over. It’s a case-by-case basis. If you’re in Delaware, California, Iowa, Tennessee, Louisiana or Pennsylvania, you don’t need to worry about texting-while-driving ticket points.
Check out this map for in-depth information about texting-while-driving penalties.
The Business Owner Connection
Drivers should understand the relationship between insurance companies and business owners, too. Business owners and investors won’t give money to businesses which don’t make profits. At the end of the day, the cost of covering damages and injuries caused by car accidents is an expensive one. To reduce costs, maintain profits and make more money, insurance companies need to charge higher prices when possible.
Don’t expect the text-related-ticket car insurance premiums to go away. If anything, they might increase in upcoming years. It’s been expected for a while. Stay safe out there. Don’t text and drive, and protect your family and wallet alike.
