Traffic violation costs: see how much they can raise your insurance rate

By Diane Lee (WSPA)

From speeding tickets to crashes, now there’s a way to figure out how much you car insurance rates could go up.

It’s an online calculator with InsuranceQuotes.com that’s based on data it collects from insurance companies in all 50 states. And while the calculator asks you to get a quote, you don’t have to request that to use it.

For instance, it says a DUI in South Carolina will hike your rate about 43%.

“I checked some real numbers with some companies and it went up about 46%,” said Max Fain with Carolina’s Choice Insurance Group. He says the calculator checks out, and hits home what drivers need to know.

His speeding calculations were actually a bit higher than the calculator for one ticket in SC. He warns, that can hike your insurance rate by 22%.

“That’s significant when you think about it in real dollars, if you’re paying $1000 a year and you’re getting a 22% increase, it goes to $1200,” he said.

You won’t see the hike right away. Your rate will increase when your policy renews. For something like a speeding ticket, it will stay that way for 3 years. For an accident, it’s more like 5.

You can also use the calculator to compare rates in other states. North Carolina drivers could face a 31% increase for speeding. In Georgia that’s more like 12%. That’s because some states tie your driving record more closely to your rate.