I have been practicing law for over 37 years in South Florida,  and I have been writing this column in the COOPPA GUARDIAN for over nine years.   The emphasis of my law practice, and my specialty is a Personal Injury Practice (serious auto accidents, slip and falls, product liability, etc.).  While I often write about these subjects, I view this column as a means to educate and inform you in all aspects of the law and similar important  issues.   I trust that you have enjoyed reading them and have benefited from many of my columns.  I’ve received very positive feedback from readers as to the issues I have addressed, for which I am grateful.

The title of this month’s article is likely to produce a “So tell me something I don’t know” reaction.   But do you know how much of an effect a speeding or many other kinds of moving violations may hit you where it hurts, in the pocketbook (or wallet for that matter) ?

Consumers may know that their bad driving record will raise their car insurance, but just how much will a single moving violation cost them?  An article I reviewed recently was quite an eye opener to me.

How much will it cost ?   The answer is plenty.  According to an analysis from Insurance.com.  The website looked at 32,000 of its auto insurance policies sold in 2010 and found that those with zero moving violations on their driving records can expect to pay, on average, $1,119 a year in premiums.  However, as soon as a consumer had a moving violation on record, the quotes skyrocketed.  Their analysis found that:

• One violation led to an average annual premium cost of $1,318, an 18% increase.
• Two violations lead to average annual premium cost of $1,497, a 34% increase.
• Three violations lead to an average annual premium cost of $1,713, a 53% increase.

Violations that can cause these spikes include speeding, careless or reckless driving, running red lights, failing to yield or stop at a yield or stop sign, improper passing, making an unsafe U-turn and failing to use a child restraint.

You will also pay much much more for fleeing from police, driving the wrong way down a divided highway or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but, perhaps, in those instances, a higher insurance premium is only part of your problems.

The lesson is simple:  drivers who speed, drink and drive or engage in other bad driving behaviors will pay through the nose if they want to keep their car insurance.   The best way to save money on car insurance, clearly is to drive responsibly at all times.

That being said, we all know that police giving out traffic citations, are on the upswing.  The money they produce in fines, especially to municipalities struggling to balance budgets, speed traps and receipt of multiple citations is an ever present problem.   Part of the solution is to fight the tickets you receive, by calling my office immediately.

The average annual premiums were calculated by examining over 32,700 single-driver, one car insurance policies sold in 2010.  For people seeking new insurance, the site also looked at how violations affect new customers by examining 397,000 insurance quotes also generated through insurance.com.  The analysis illustrated that policies offered  to drivers with violations depend on the age of the driver.

For instance, policies offered to drivers 65 and older who have two violations are 57% more costly than those offered to people of the same age who have no infractions.  Drivers with two violations in the next closet age group, 55 to 64, only experienced a 47% rise in their rate quotes compared to people in that group who had no violations.

If you have a less than stellar record, is there anything else you can do to bring down your rates?   Well, I would strongly recommend to anyone being charged high rates due to a poor driving record to enroll in a driving safety class to help lower rates.  They can also raise their deductibles on an auto policy as another way to lower their premiums.

It is also wise to shop around with a variety of companies to obtain numerous quotes.   Be truthful when answering all question, so the quote you get will be accurate, and then you can compare one against the other.  If you don’t answer questions accurately, the information will most probably be picked up by underwriting when they process the application, and the quoted rate may be substantially raised or you may be denied a policy .  Also be forewarned, if you make a ‘material misrepresentation’ in an insurance application, it may be grounds for a denial of coverage, even after the policy has been issued.  Not what you want to hear after you have been in an accident.

If you receive a citation for a moving violation, call my office, let’s discuss your options.   If you have been in an accident, and you have been injured, I urge you to call me immediately.

My office handles all types of personal injury cases, and I have done so for over 37 years.  My office is conveniently located in Pembroke Pines.  It is located at 9000 Sheridan Street – Suite 4, Pembroke Pines, Florida. I welcome your calls to my office (954) 441-5077 or my cell phone at any time (954) 801-0352 to assist you if you have had any type of accident, criminal offense, or to discuss with you any legal questions or problems.