If a motorist is convicted for traffic violations in New York State, this conviction can have a significant impact on your auto insurance rate. As a general rule, the more serious the violation, the greater the effect will be on your insurance premium. The DMV has a point system which sets forth and assigns points to various traffic violations. Usually there was a direct correlation between seriousness of offense and the higher point assigned to that violation.
The best way to keep your auto insurance premium low is to avoid convictions for moving violations in New York. Obviously, you want to avoid the more serious traffic violations like speeding, cell phone use, tailgating, leaving the scene of an accident and driving without insurance.
Another very effective way to reduce your auto insurance premium is to enroll and complete a DMV-approved defensive driving course. If you go to the DMV website you can find many organizations that sponsor online defensive driving courses at the DMV approves.
It is certainly worth your while to do it because when you enroll in the course you are given the option of taking the course to reduce your auto insurance premium by 10% or your points on your driving record by four points. However, you can only take the defensive driving course every 36 months to reduce your premium or every 18 months to reduce your points.
Clearly the best way to keep your insurance premiums affordable is to avoid convictions for moving violations and accidents.
If you need an experienced Long Island traffic attorney, please contact us at the Law Offices of Michael W. Alpert at (516) 280-7288 or e-mail: malpert@alpertlegal.com