Have Your Insurance Rates Skyrocketed? 3 Ways You Can Lower Your Premium

Some of the factors that determine your auto insurance rate are out of your control. For example, your age, gender and marital status are all factors that insurance companies use to calculate your rate. However, there are some factors you can control. The type of car you drive and the neighborhood in which you live are all factors that you can change in order to get a lower rate.

You can also maintain a pristine driving record, but mistakes happen. If you've received a ticket for a moving violation, you can expect it to haunt you for approximately three years, which is the amount of time most insurance companies penalize you with higher rates for a major driving violation. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do during those three years to lower your premium.

Install a Telematics Device

Telematics devices, provided by some auto insurance companies, track your driving habits and send the information back to your insurance carrier. If you're a good driver, this device may show your insurance company that your moving violation was out of character for you, which could lead to discounts and savings for you. The best part is that it's very easy to install this device. All you have to do is plug it into your car's USB port. 

Rely on Public Transportation More

The more time you spend driving, the more likely you are to get in an accident. Your insurance company knows this and calculates your premium accordingly. If you lower the amount of time you spend on the road by taking advantage of public transportation, you may be able to qualify for a low-mileage discount. While you may not save a ton of money, every little bit helps.

Go to Traffic School

Whenever you get a ticket for a moving violation, points are applied to your driving record. Your insurance company uses these points to calculate your rate. The more points you have, the higher your rate will be. Traffic school is a great way to remove points. It may even help you dismiss a ticket. To see if traffic school is an option for you, talk to the county court where your ticket was issued. 

As you can see, there are several ways to lower your insurance premiums after a moving violation. All you have to do is maintain a clean driving record and take the appropriate steps to lower your premium.