What may happen to a driver's insurance rates following a traffic violation?

When a driver receives a traffic violation, their insurance rates are likely to increase due to the insurance company's assessment of a higher perceived risk. Traffic violations indicate that the driver may be more prone to accidents or unsafe driving habits, leading insurers to adjust their rates accordingly. Increased rates are a way for insurance companies to mitigate potential losses; they view those with violations as more likely to file claims in the future.

In contrast, rates might decrease or remain unchanged in scenarios where no violations occur or where drivers are eligible for good driver discounts, but these linkages do not apply in the case of a traffic violation. Thus, the relevance of the traffic violation as a factor in increasing insurance rates underscores the connection between driving behavior and insurance costs.