Parking Tickets and Premiums

If you collect parking tickets like other people collect concert ticket stubs, then you might be concerned about how your non-moving violations will affect your auto insurance policy. The good news is that as long as the ticket is for is a non-moving violation it will likely have no affect on your car insurance rates. This isn’t an excuse to park irresponsibly, however, because parking tickets can still have some negative consequences that could impact your insurance coverage.

Your Driving History
When you’re being underwritten for auto insurance, underwriters will review your motor vehicle report (MVR). This is a record of your driving history and it shows both moving and non-moving violations. While moving violations carry more weight during underwriting, a large number of non-moving violations could indicate that you are a higher risk driver simply because you have a history of not following certain posted laws. While this won't always results in higher insurance rates, it could.

Maintenance Expenses

Being on the receiving end of the occasional parking ticket probably won't break the bank, but a series of parking tickets can add up to a substantial amount. If left unpaid, these tickets could result in your car being towed away and impounded which just increases your expense. If you are living on a tight budget, dealing with all of these expenses could make it difficult to make your auto insurance premium payment, which could result in a policy lapse. Additionally, if you must take from your savings to pay for parking violations and fees, then you may not be able to pay your deductible should you have an accident or other insurable incident.

If you find that you are frequently getting tickets for improper parking, re-review your drivers’ instruction handbook and get a little refresher on traffic and parking rules that you should be following. You may even find a driving course in your area that can help you out as well as help reduce your insurance premiums. Finally, always look around before you park. Make sure you aren’t in a tow-away zone, that you don’t block fire hydrants, crosswalks, or handicapped access points, that you don’t park too close to a curb and that you aren’t on private property.

If you’re having trouble finding an affordable Chicago auto insurance policy due to traffic violations, give us a call. Our team of experienced agents at Oxford Insurance Group can help find a carrier that will accept you at a rate you can afford.