• Traffic tickets can cost you hundreds of dollars.police lights close up image by Matt K from Fotolia.com
  
  Getting a traffic ticket is frustrating, time-consuming and often expensive. When you receive a traffic ticket, you must deal with the court system and, depending on the ticket, you will probably decide to take defensive driving. Both the court and a defensive driving class cost money. Another expense that can cost you for much longer is with your insurance company. Tickets can impact your insurance premiums for several years.
  
  

Speeding Tickets

• Speeding tickets can impact your insurance rates if they are on your driving record. Typically, you can take defensive driving and pay court costs to have the ticket dismissed. Depending on state law, some violations prohibit defensive driving. For example, if you are going 15 miles an hour over the posted speed limit, it may be at the judge's discretion if you can take defensive driving. Also, other speeding violations such as speeding in a school zone or construction zone may exclude defensive driving options. Previous tickets within one to two years depending on state law may prohibit you from taking defensive driving. If you can't take defensive driving, the ticket can make your insurance premiums increase. According to LeaseGuide, one ticket indicates a 50 percent chance of having an accident; therefore, the insurance company can increase your rate to compensate for the added risk. Exact rate increases depend on your insurance provider.
  
  

Reckless Driving

• Reckless driving is a traffic violation that can increase your insurance rates. Reckless driving may involve such activities as speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, obscene gestures or other indications of road rage and tailgating. With a reckless driving violation, the insurance company can increase your insurance rates. The company may decide to cancel your insurance policy altogether.
  
  

DUI and DWI Violations

• Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) are serious traffic violations and you will typically serve some jail time. For multiple offenses, you can serve prison time or have your license suspended. With these types of traffic violations, it is very probable that your rates will increase. Depending on the insurance company, the rates can increase approximately 25 percent.
  
  

Driving Without Insurance

• If you are stopped for a violation and you do not have insurance, you will receive a ticket for not providing proof of liability insurance. If you obtain insurance after the ticket you will pay a higher premium for the insurance. You may be required to provide a form called an SR-22. This is an insurance form proving that you now have insurance. If you do not pay the premiums, the insurance company is required to notify your state's Department of Motor Vehicles.