A traffic violation can come with legal and financial burdens. If you get a conviction or are at fault in a motor vehicle accident, you could face fines and a rise in your insurance rate. Local laws will determine the specific sanction for your case. In North Carolina, a point system regulates insurance rate increases after a traffic violation.
Understanding insurance points
Insurance points are part of the Safe Driver Incentive Plan of North Carolina (SDIP). They were created to encourage drivers to observe the law and avoid tickets. Drivers get points when they commit a traffic violation, and each point corresponds to a percentage increase in their insurance rate. The fewer points you have, the lower the increase in your insurance rate.
The maximum amount of SDIP points you can get for a traffic violation is twelve. Examples of twelve-point offenses include negligent homicide and driving while impaired. These offenses come with a 340% rise in your insurance rate. If you get a severe traffic violation charge, it is best to seek legal counseling. A North Carolina attorney familiar with local laws can defend your rights and future interests.
The severity of the traffic violation determines the points you will receive. For instance, if you get a ticket for illegal passing, you will get two SDIP points, and your insurance rate can increase by 55%. The good news is that SDIP points only stay for a while. When renewing or applying for insurance coverage, the provider will consider the points you collected in the last three years.
Additionally, some traffic violations are free of SDIP points. Specific accidents and speeding a maximum of 10 mph over the limit do not sum points. If you are a driver in North Carolina, it is crucial to understand the insurance point system to avoid dramatic rate increases.
SDIP points only apply for convictions and at-fault accidents. If you suffered a traffic accident, but another driver was at fault, you will not get new SDIP points for that event. The goal of the point system is to sanction drivers who violate the law. Even if you get a minor traffic ticket, you can talk to an attorney to discuss your options and potential outcomes for your case.
