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Does texting while driving affect insurance?

My brother likes to text a lot when he’s at the wheel. I told him that if he keeps it up, he’ll get ticketed—and I know a bad record is not good for your insurance rate. Does texting while driving in particular affect insurance?

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Maxine Boyko · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Your brother shouldn’t be texting while driving, but as far as whether it will affect his insurance, that depends on your state’s laws. The penalties for texting while driving can range from fines to full-blown license suspension. Depending on where you live, if your brother gets a ticket for texting and driving (also known as a form of
distracted driving
), he could see his insurance rate increase, as well.
That said, some states don’t allow insurers to include texting and driving tickets as criteria when calculating rates. On the other hand, your state may view texting and driving tickets as moving violations—which could result in a rate hike.
Your best bet for keeping a low and consistent insurance rate is by staying off your phone and minimizing distractions while you drive. Nevertheless,
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, the car insurance super app, can help you find affordable car insurance, no matter your driving history.
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