ORIGINALLY POSTED: May 31, 2018
UPDATED: November 2, 2021
If you are charged with speeding or certain other traffic tickets in North Carolina, you will have “points” assessed to your driving record. Those points determine to a certain degree if, and by how much, your insurance rates will go up. You can check out The Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) for all the details.
So, do you want the good news first or the bad news? Don't answer that. We'll start with the good news. North Carolina has some of the lowest auto insurance rates in the country thanks to the regulation by the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDI). According to Bank Rate, the average driver in the Tarheel state pays an average of $1,325 per year. Those NCDI regulations also limit how much auto insurance can go up. Under the regulations, drivers won't get points for an accident under certain circumstances. Also, no points for a speeding ticket for 10 MPH or less over the speed limit, again, under certain circumstances. Check the SDIP guide for those “certain circumstances.”
Now the bad news. That maximum limit for your insurance premiums increase is 340%! To put that in perspective we'll use the average yearly rate. $1,325 X 340% = $4,505. That's an increase of $3,180 per year! That's a Gucci Signature Leather Briefcase, a decent vacation, or a pretty nice dirt bike! (Your choice). But wait, there's more. That $3,180 increase per year is going to hit your wallet for three years—that's almost $10,000! Now we're talking about a 10-day, all-inclusive first-class luxury cruise along the coast of Italy or a two-week vacation at Myrtle Beach each of those three years. (Again, your choice).
Chances are good that you won't get hit with the maximum increase unless you have been doing a lot of bad things with your car. So how can you keep your insurance from going up, or at least minimize the damage? You call The Law Offices of Jason Reece, that's how. Our attorneys are some of the most experienced and highly regarded traffic attorneys in Charlotte. So don't risk missing out on that Italian vacation, call us today and we will be glad to fight for you AND your wallet!
