Understanding Insurance Points in North Carolina: Why You Need a Traffic Attorney

If you've been cited for a traffic violation in North Carolina, you may be familiar with the concept of "insurance points." Insurance points are one of the ways insurers assess risk and determine your premium rates, and they can have a significant impact on your wallet. Whether you're dealing with a speeding ticket, a red light violation, or any other moving violation, understanding how insurance points work—and the importance of minimizing them—is crucial. This is where a skilled North Carolina traffic attorney comes into play.

What Are Insurance Points?

In North Carolina, insurance companies use a point system to determine how risky a driver is based on their traffic history. These points are separate from the points that appear on your driving record. Essentially, the more points you accumulate, the higher your insurance premiums will become.

Insurance points are different from "driver's license points" which may lead to a suspension of your license after a certain threshold is reached (12 points within three years). Insurance points, however, only affect your auto insurance rates.

Here's how insurance points are assigned in North Carolina:

• Speeding: Speeding violations can result in insurance points, and the more you exceed the speed limit, the more points you may accrue.
• Other Violations: Failing to stop for a stop sign or signal, running a red light, reckless driving, and other moving violations can also result in insurance points.

These points remain on your record for three years and can cause your insurance premiums to rise. Over time, the cumulative effect of these increased rates can be financially burdensome.

How Many Insurance Points Will I Get?

Different violations lead to different amounts of insurance points. For example:

• A speeding ticket can carry anywhere from 1 to 3 points, depending on how much you exceeded the speed limit.
• A failure to stop or a reckless driving charge could result in 3 insurance points.
• More serious offenses, like DWI (Driving While Impaired), could result in 8 insurance points.

The more points you rack up, the more expensive your insurance premiums may become, and the more difficult it might be to find affordable coverage.

Why You Need a Traffic Attorney to Handle Insurance Points

While it might seem tempting to simply pay a ticket and move on, doing so can have serious financial consequences due to the accumulation of insurance points. Here's why hiring a traffic attorney in North Carolina is the best course of action if you want to protect your wallet and your driving record:

1. Mitigate or Reduce Insurance Points: A traffic attorney can help negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce the charges or work out a plea deal that minimizes the impact on your insurance points. This could involve reducing the violation to a non-moving violation or even getting the charge dismissed.

2. Knowledge of Local Laws: North Carolina's traffic laws and insurance point systems can be complex. An experienced traffic attorney will know the ins and outs of the law and will be familiar with how different violations affect insurance rates. This expertise can help you achieve the best possible outcome.

3. Avoid Driver's License Points: Some traffic offenses can add points to your driver's license record, which could lead to a suspension. A skilled traffic attorney will work to avoid any impact on your license while also minimizing the insurance points you may incur.

4. Ensure Proper Documentation and Court Representation: Handling a traffic violation on your own may result in missed deadlines, improper paperwork, or failure to attend a court hearing. A traffic attorney will ensure all documentation is correctly filed, and they will represent you in court, providing the best chance of a favorable outcome.

5. Protection Against Increased Insurance Premiums: Even if you've already paid a ticket, you can still appeal the charges or fight the case with the help of an attorney. If you can avoid adding points to your insurance, you could save hundreds of dollars annually on your premiums.

What Happens if I Get Too Many Insurance Points?

If you accumulate too many insurance points over a three-year period, you could see a significant increase in your insurance premiums. In some cases, drivers with a particularly poor history of traffic violations may have difficulty finding affordable insurance or may face cancellation of their policy.

The good news is that if you work with a traffic attorney, they can help you avoid this outcome by challenging the ticket or seeking a reduction in points. Having a legal professional advocate on your behalf can ultimately save you money, time, and stress.

Conclusion

Traffic violations are more than just a minor inconvenience. They can impact your driving record, your license status, and—perhaps most importantly—your auto insurance premiums. Insurance points can add up quickly and lead to increased rates for years to come. However, with the help of a skilled North Carolina traffic attorney, you can fight back against unfair or costly penalties, minimize insurance points, and protect your financial future.

If you've received a traffic citation in North Carolina, don't wait—contact us today. We will fight for your rights, help reduce the impact of your violation, and ensure that your insurance rates don't take a hit. The right attorney can make all the difference.