If I get my speeding ticket dismissed will my insurance rates still increase?
I got a speeding ticket in TX, but I'm taking a course to get it dismissed. Will my insurance company even find out about my points if they're taken off my license? And if they do, will my insurance rates go up or is that completely dependent on points?
June 17th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
IF you take the class, and DON'T turn in the proper paperwork in time, the ticket WILL show. DON'T pay the fine AND take the class or the ticket will show.
A lot of folks make the mistake of paying the fine and THEN taking the class. They come in with the proof of the class and want the ticket taken off – too late. And remember, not ALL companies that operate in Texas allow a discount for taking the class. They figure "If you took the class for the ticket, the fact that the ticket does NOT show on your record is DISCOUNT enough."
You have to go to municipal court and get permission to take the DDC class – just don't assume that it's your RIGHT to take it. They will normally charge you a fee (for the priviledge), but the also will require you to get a CERTIFIED copy of your driving record (which you can order on line at the Texas DPS website.)
Most of the Motor Vehicle Reports that the insurance companies run will say right on the MVR "Does not reflect Defensive Driving Classes" – hence the need for ordering a CERTIFIED copy from TX DPS – which WILL show the last time that you took the class.
You can find places that offer the class and provide a meal, or comedy clubs that offer the class (around Austin and Georgetown.) There are also places to take it on-line and you van even get a DVD at Blockbuster (and probably other video renatl places.)
Just DON'T do what I did and postpone it so long that I didn't take it in time – then the ticket turns to warrant and DL gets suspended until you pay for the ticket.!
June 17th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
not unless you tell them or are involved in an accident, and someone else notoifies them
June 17th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
If the ticket is completely deleted – like it never existed – from your motor vehicle record (MVR) before your company pulls it for your next renewal, there will be no charge to your policy. If you take the class after the renewal & it is deleted, you can call the company to pull a new MVR & have the points charge taken off of your policy.
If the ticket remains on & the DMV puts on something like "traffic class, points credit" and subtracts points, then the company has the right to charge for the ticket since you received it & it shows on your record.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Most likely your carrier by law cannot take points into consideration if you take a class to offset them. However, sometimes the carrier does not get the information about you completing the class. So if your rates increase, ask why. If it's because of the points, submit the document to them showing the class was completed.