How Much Does 4 Points Affect Insurance in Georgia?

In Georgia, driving is a privilege that comes with responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is to abide by the traffic laws. Violations of these laws may lead to points being added to your license. This point system allows officials to monitor driving habits and identify reckless drivers. The more serious the violation, the more points are added to your license.

Interestingly, license points are not insurance points. Insurance companies use their own points system when calculating rates and deciding coverage eligibility. The point system varies per insurance company, and the insurer doesn’t usually share these points with the public. With that said, getting 4 points on your driving record can affect insurance rates differently, because not all traffic violations are seen as equally serious by insurance companies. The insurance company will assign a higher point value if a violation is more severe. Therefore, the more insurance points you accrue, the more your insurance premium will increase.

If a driver accumulates 15 points in a 24-month period, the result is a suspension of their license. This could be a serious inconvenience, affecting your daily life from commuting to work, running errands, or even just visiting friends and family. Points are assessed for each conviction of motor vehicle law violations and stay on your driving record for two years from the date of conviction. Hence, a good understanding of how the point system works is crucial for every driver in Georgia.

The Impact of License Points on Insurance Premiums

Insurance carriers in Georgia don’t reference license points directly when deciding rates. However, a violation on your record will undoubtedly impact your premium. How does this work? Points on your license act as a warning that you may not be a careful driver, and insuring reckless drivers is a risk for the insurance carrier. Insurers are always looking for ways to cut costs, and if you have points on your record, they can respond by either charging you a higher rate for coverage or terminating your policy altogether. This could leave you shopping for a new policy, which is often a stressful and time-consuming process.

The impact on your insurance premium can be significant. According to data acquired from Quadrant Information Services, drivers with a single speeding ticket may pay an average of 20 percent more on car insurance. If you consider the fact that a single speeding ticket can add up to six points to your driving record, it becomes clear that maintaining a clean driving record is not just good for your safety but also for your wallet.

Georgia’s Driver License Points System

Each traffic offense in the state of Georgia has a designated number of points assigned to it under the Georgia State traffic code, and these points are added to a driver’s record upon conviction. As mentioned before, an accumulation of points can result in serious consequences such as license suspension, increased insurance premiums, or even the requirement to purchase SR-22 insurance. Points stay on a driver’s record for two years from the date they were added.

Below is a breakdown of the points assigned to various offenses under the Georgia State traffic code:

The Consequences of Speeding in Georgia

As you can see above, the costs of speeding in Georgia can add up quickly. Speeding ticket fines vary depending on a number of factors, including the location of the violation and the severity of the speeding. The more points accumulated, the higher the insurance premium. A driver ticketed for exceeding the speed limit by at least 15 miles per hour can receive between two to six points.

In addition to the fines, there are also “aggravating” circumstances which can increase these base fines. For example, speeding in a highway construction zone can be punishable with a $2,000 fine and up to 12 months of jail time. Georgia also imposes a “super speeder” fine of $200 on top of the base fine for drivers surpassing speeds of 85 miles per hour. This shows the seriousness with which Georgia takes reckless driving, and the lengths it will go to ensure safety on its roads.

Tactics to Lower Your Insurance Premiums After a Ticket

A driving infraction will most likely increase your premiums to some extent; however, there are steps you can take to possibly reduce how much you pay for your car insurance, even after a ticket. These steps include:

1. Take a Defensive Driving Course: Many states, including Georgia, allow drivers to complete a state-approved defensive driving course to remove points from their driving record. The course typically covers safe driving techniques and the rules of the road. Keep in mind that this option might not be available if your violation was severe, such as a DUI or reckless driving. It’s also worth noting that completing a defensive driving course may also earn you a discount with some insurance companies.

2. Compare Insurance Quotes: Different insurance providers may assess risk differently, meaning that while one provider may increase your rates significantly after a speeding ticket, another might not. Use online tools like Jerry to compare quotes from multiple insurance providers. By shopping around, you may be able to find a policy with better coverage and lower premiums, even after a ticket.

3. Improve Your Credit Score: Insurance companies often use credit scores as a factor in determining insurance premiums. A higher credit score can indicate financial responsibility, which may lead to lower insurance rates. If your credit score has improved since you last updated your policy, it might be worth checking if you’re eligible for lower rates.

4. Increase Your Deductible: Increasing your deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in) can lower your monthly premiums. However, be sure that you can afford the higher deductible in case of an accident.

5. Maintain a Clean Driving Record: While this might not help immediately after a ticket, maintaining a clean driving record moving forward can help to reduce your insurance premiums over time. Avoid speeding, reckless driving, and other violations that could add points to your license and increase your insurance rates.

6. Bundle Your Insurance Policies: Many insurance companies offer discounts if you bundle multiple policies, such as car and home insurance, with them. If you have multiple types of insurance, consider bundling them to save on your premiums.

7. Consider Usage-Based Insurance: Some insurance companies offer usage-based or pay-per-mile insurance policies. These policies base your premium on how much you drive. If you’re a low-mileage driver, these policies could potentially save you money.

8. Ask About Discounts: Don’t hesitate to ask your insurance company about discounts that you may be eligible for. These can include discounts for safe driving, low mileage, owning a hybrid or electric car, being a good student, and more.

Remember, the best way to avoid an increase in insurance premiums is to avoid getting a speeding ticket in the first place. Always obey the speed limits and drive responsibly. However, if you do receive a ticket, these strategies can help you reduce the impact on your insurance rates.