Even the best and most responsible drivers among us will likely receive minor traffic violations if they drive and commute often. Whether it be a slight lapse in judgment or a lead foot on a busy day, traffic infractions that don’t balloon into significant accidents can still have repercussions if you are caught and given a ticket – namely, points against your Florida license. When insurance companies look over your record to determine your auto insurance plan and rates, they have access to information regarding past tickets, accidents, and the number of points on your license and use this information to place you in a risk category. Following the rules of the road does more than just keep you and others safe; it can lead to significant long-term savings.
Florida License Points System
Florida uses a system that is common in many states in the country. When you commit a traffic violation and receive a ticket from an officer, you receive certain points that stack on your record. Receiving too many of these points can lead to the suspension of your license. The breakdown is as follows:
12 points within a year – 30-day license suspension
18 points within a year and a half – Three-month suspension
24 points within three years – One-year suspension
Without knowing more about the details, 12 points may seem like a lot. However, even minor infractions add 3 points to the total, and more severe offenses can give 6. For example, an average speeding ticket will add 3 points to your license, while preemptively leaving the scene of a car crash will give 6, and reckless driving will give 4. You should also note that one traffic stop can lead to multiple tickets, each with its own point total, meaning your clean driving record can very quickly become tainted if you get busted on a bad day. A thorough breakdown of Florida violations and how many points they will add to your license can be found here.
Insurance and License Points
Insurance companies look at your driving record, accident history, and total points on your license when determining rates and coverage. Compared to someone with a squeaky clean record, someone with a large number of points is more of a risk to insure, and insurance rates will be higher if you have more points than an otherwise identical individual. In Florida, points are generally on your record for three years for minor offenses and up to 10 years for more serious infractions. When insurance companies run checks to determine eligibility and rates, they will pull information corresponding to anywhere from 3-5 years in the past. If your points from a minor infraction ten years ago have already been taken off your license, chances are the insurance company will also not have a record of them when they conduct their background search.
Having points on your Florida license isn’t the doomsday scenario that some make it out to be. While your insurance provider may charge you higher rates, they will also take into account the circumstances and your prior driving history. Keeping your insurance up to date is mandatory under Florida law, so dealing with the consequences of the points you have accrued is the only path forward if you want to continue driving on Florida streets. In Florida, you also have the opportunity to take points off of your license by attending driving instruction courses, speeding up the process of getting your driving record back to a clean slate.
Dealing with insurance companies who see the points on your license can be stressful, but you don’t have to struggle to find the best rates on your own. Our agents at Anderson & Associates Insurance are here to help you work through your situation and get the best auto insurance rate possible.
