Citation vs. Ticket & How They Affect Your Insurance

The terms “citation” and “ticket” are often used interchangeably to refer to a notice issued by a law enforcement officer for a traffic violation, such as speeding, running a red light or parking illegally. 

Whatever you want to call them, citations and tickets can both lead to higher auto insurance premiums, especially for moving violations. The severity of the violation and your driving history will determine the extent of the impact.

What’s a citation from the police?

A citation is a legal document that you receive from a ticketing authority (like the police) for committing a traffic violation. The terms citation and ticket mean the same thing — citation is the official term law enforcement uses, whereas ticket is used more often by the general public. Typically, you’ll receive a citation or a ticket in one of two ways:

• Paper citations are often tucked under your windshield wiper in the case of a parking ticket.
• E-citations are now becoming more common. Officers scan your driver’s license and the system automatically fills out the citation. The officer often then prints a physical copy of the ticket for you and sends it to the court electronically.

A citation/ticket will usually include the following information:

• Your personal information, including your date of birth, address and driver’s license number.
• Motor vehicle make and model, vehicle registration, license plate number, and your auto insurance policy details.
• What violation(s) you’re receiving a citation for.
• A unique citation number.
• The legal consequences of ignoring the ticket.
• Options for how to respond to the citation.
• How much time you have to respond before the consequences escalate.

Citation charges will vary based on the type of infraction or violation you committed. For example, a parking citation will generally cost less than speeding or distracted driving charges — however, the overall price will depend on your state laws and regulations.

Do citations affect your insurance?

Certain types of citations/tickets can significantly impact your auto insurance rates, as insurance companies view drivers with traffic violations as higher risk. This is because drivers with citations are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents.  

How much any given violation will affect your insurance rates depends on factors like:

• Type of violation: More serious violations such as DUI/DWI, reckless driving or hit-and-run will generally result in larger premium increases.
• Frequency of violations: Multiple citations within a short period will significantly increase your risk profile and lead to higher premiums.  
• Insurance company policies: Different insurance companies have varying policies regarding how they weigh minor traffic violations — and some are more lenient than others.  
• State laws: State laws may also influence how traffic violations affect insurance rates. Some states may have point systems that directly impact insurance premiums.   

Types of citations and tickets

There are two major types of violations for which you can receive a citation: moving and non-moving violations. 

Moving violations

Moving violations occur when the car is in motion. Some of the most common include:

• Speeding.
• Not stopping at a red light or stop sign.
• Making an illegal U-turn.
• Reckless driving.
• Distracted driving.
• Not obeying posted traffic signals and signs.
• Not using your turn signal.
• DUI and DWI.

These types of charges will add penalty points to your record and affect your insurance rates in most states. The number of points you receive depends on your state and the specific traffic law that you broke. Keep in mind that the more severe your charge, the harsher penalties and fines you may face.

Along with state-wide penalties, you can also experience higher-than-average car insurance rates. Here’s a look at the average monthly cost drivers with varying moving violations pay for car insurance in the U.S.:

Non-moving violations

These happen when the car is not in motion. Here are some examples of ticketable non-moving violations:

• Parking incorrectly or illegally.
• Expired plates.
• Driving without insurance.
• Broken headlights.
• Broken turn signals.
• Expired registration tags.
• No license plate.
• Parking in a handicap parking spot without a placard.

Driving without insurance, driving without a seatbelt and getting caught by a red light camera are some of the citations that might be considered either moving or non-moving violations depending on your state.

Do citations go on your record? 

Yes — both types of violations go on your record regardless of whether they were committed out of state or in the state where you’re licensed. However, only moving violations add “points” to your license and affect your insurance rates.

What to do if you get a citation

It’s important to take action on a citation immediately, as inaction can make things complicated and costly. After you receive your citation, you generally have three options: pay the fine, request mitigation or appeal it in court.

Pay the fine

Depending on your state and municipality, you should have several ways to pay a fine, such as cash, check, online or via the phone.

If you’re struggling financially and can’t pay your fine, review your local government websites to check for any payment plan options for citations. The violation will go on your driving record and you may get points on your license, depending on the infraction. You can also expect your insurance rates to go up at your next policy renewal.

Keep in mind that while your infraction will appear on your motor vehicle report, some states allow drivers to complete specific programs to remove points once they’re added. For more information, visit your local DMV.

Request mitigation or appeal

Depending on the nature of your violation, you may be required to appear in court regardless of whether you plan to argue your case or plead guilty. If you are required to appear in court, your appointed court date and time will be located on your citation.

When you request a mitigation negotiation, you’ll admit to the violation and ask for leniency. The judge may decide not to put the citation on your record and you may have to pay some, or all, of the fine. This isn’t available in all cases, however.

Don’t ignore your court or payment dates

If you don’t show up for your scheduled hearing, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and your license could be suspended or revoked. Similarly, refusal to pay the fine associated with a traffic ticket can go on your criminal record and hurt you more in the long run.

Best insurance companies for high risk drivers

Insurance companies consider driver license points when calculating your car insurance premium. If you’ve repeatedly committed traffic offenses, you’ll be perceived as a risky driver and charged more for coverage — or even denied coverage.

There are insurance providers that offer policies for high-risk drivers who have a moving violation on their record. If you’re looking for affordable car insurance after a citation, shop around and get quotes from a range of companies before you renew.

To help you get started, below is a list of providers to be among the lowest cost companies for drivers with a violation on their record.

However, keep in mind these are just average costs. Your quotes may differ based on your violation, previous history, and state regulations.

MEET OUR EXPERTS

Bonnie Stinson

Bonnie Stinson is an insurance writer with 8+ years of experience as a content writer. They specialize in making complex topics like insurance and technology easy to understand. Bonnie has written over 1,300 articles to help people become confident car owners, from how to choose the right car and build a car insurance policy to dealing with stressful situations like car accidents and unexpected repairs. Before joining Jerry’s editorial team, Bonnie worked as a digital media strategist and user experience researcher, producing content for Furnishr, STACKEDD Magazine, InfinityCore Health, and the global non-profit Giraffe Heroes.

Megan Lee

Megan Lee is an editor, writer, and SEO expert who specializes in insurance, personal finance, travel, and healthcare. She has been published in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and elsewhere, and has spoken at conferences like that of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Megan has built and directed remote content teams and editorial strategies for several websites, including NerdWallet. When she`s not crafting her next piece of content, Megan adventures around her Midwest home base where she likes to drink cortados, attend theme parties, ride her bike and cook Asian food.