Getting a ticket is frustrating for any driver, whether it’s your first ticket or not. But just because you get a ticket while you’re driving in Chicago, it doesn’t automatically mean your insurance rates will go up. What happens next depends on many different factors, like the violation, whether you contest it, and what your driving record looks like.

Before you panic about your insurance rates, it helps to understand what kind of ticket you received and whether it can affect your record.

What Happens After You Get a Ticket in Chicago?

In Chicago, certain violations are more harmful to your insurance rates than others. A standard parking ticket generally won’t affect your car insurance, but moving violations like speeding, stop sign violations, or improper turns can.

More serious offenses, like DUIs or reckless driving, can have a much greater effect on your insurance. Having multiple traffic violations on your record may make it harder to find lower rates. The details of the violation and your driving history both matter when an insurer looks at your policy.

Chicago drivers may also wonder about red light camera tickets. These are different from tickets issued by a police officer during a traffic stop. The civil penalty from an automated red-light camera isn’t recorded on the vehicle owner’s driving record. Still, failing to pay these tickets can lead to some more serious consequences, so it’s still important to address them.

Can You Stop Your Insurance Costs From Going Up?

If you get a ticket, don’t assume your only choice is to pay it and move on. First, consider what happened that made you get a ticket, and find out if you can contest it. Maybe you got a parking ticket, but there was no signage on your street that parking would be restricted at that time. Or maybe you believe the ticket was issued to the wrong vehicle or contains an error. Whatever the case, it’s worth contesting the ticket if you have a valid reason to believe it was issued incorrectly.

Depending on the ticket and your situation, you may also have the option of completing traffic school or another court-approved program. This isn’t always an option, so you’ll want to look into eligibility requirements and what types of tickets are candidates for this. It may be worth asking about before you simply pay for the ticket and move on.

If none of these options are viable for you, the best thing you can do is keep your driving record clean moving forward. If your record involves one ticket and then a long period of safe driving, insurance companies may take that into consideration when they’re offering you rates for coverage. That can take time, though, and you may not want to wait around if your insurance bill has already gone up.

If your rate goes up, it may be time to review your current coverage and consider getting quotes from other insurers. If you find a more reasonable rate for comparable coverage, even when the new company knows about your ticket, it can be a smart move to make the switch. Just don’t forget to finalize coverage with your new insurer before you cancel your old plan. Creating a coverage gap can cause more problems for you down the line.

When You Have Questions About Your Coverage

When you start looking into new insurance options, there are a lot of questions you may have that you can’t easily find answers to. It’s helpful to have a dependable place nearby where you can talk with an expert and understand your choices more clearly.

With locations across Chicagoland, Amigo Insurance is an independent agency that works with multiple insurance carriers, giving you more than one policy option to consider. You can get a quote online in two minutes, or you can call or visit a neighborhood location if you’d rather speak with someone in person. If you aren’t sure what a ticket means for your policy, it helps to talk through your options with someone who can look at your specific situation and who has the experience to answer the questions you have.

Not sure whether you’d rather handle insurance online or sit down with an agent? Read our guide to buying car insurance online or in person.

What to Keep in Mind After a Ticket

A ticket doesn’t determine what you’ll pay for your car insurance forever. Keep building a clean driving record, and don’t assume you have to stay with the same insurer if your rate becomes too high. Amigo Insurance can help you compare your options and find coverage that fits your budget. Get a free auto insurance quote with us today.