Munku

I'm curious if anyone knows if they can raise insurance rates for a speeding ticket even if you take the traffic course to drop the points. If anyone knows if they can do this or not, for USAA or any provider I'd be appreciative. This website I'm reading claims your rates can't go up if you take the course but I'm thinking they can go ahead and do it anyways.

Willravel

I was in an accedent with an idiot, and USAA didn't touch my rates. They went psycho on Mercury Insurance, the other guy's providor, too.

Grasshopper Green

Well, it's not the same thing...but hubby had a lawyer take care of his speeding ticket in NC, so that it wouldn't affect his record as much...and our rates (with USAA) didn't budge.

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Guinevere

USAA is great but it really depends on how long you've been with them and whether they'll adjust your rates but I would say no for a speeding ticket. It's accident claims they will consider, of course. I've been with them over 30 years and they didn't mess with my rates until my teenager had 5 wrecks in 2 years. Ouch. Even with that, my rates are still lower than other insurers and USAA told me they would never drop me or my kids since teenager drivers are notoriously accident prone and they won't penalize the entire family for that. Of course, they hope that once the kids get older, they'll use USAA. I'll encourage them to do that but they are more expensive then other providers; however, they are so damn responsive and their CSRs are so skilled, I pay the extra $$$ just for that service alone.

Sgoilear

They will probably take your history into account also. I got hit with a pretty large speeding ticket (25 over in a 75) and USAA didn't increase my rates didn't move. I had a clean record right up to that point though. Also the CSR's there are great. That's been said before but it bears repeating.

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Carno

USAA is fucking awesome.

I just wanted to say that.

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The_Jazz

Here's the ultimate USAA praise - I'm an insurance agent, and my coverage is with USAA even though I don't sell any products of theirs. They've helped me out of several jams, including some homeowners issues that couild have been nightmares.

As far as insurance in general goes, an insurance carrier has the right to raise your rate at renewal if they want. If they are doing it in the middle of the policy term (most personal auto policies run 6 months at a time), then that's illegal. Generally speaking, I find it surprising that they would do it at all unless there are some bad circumstances that they're seeing. Things that would count against you are your age, the amount over that you were speeding (15+ would be a big red flag), whether or not you have other tickets or accidents, your job (if they just figured out that you're delivering pizzas, they'll charge you extra), etc. I would call and ask since the customer service folks have never been anything but extremely helpful for me.

Good luck!

Marvelous Marv

I agree that USAA is awesome. One thing to bear in mind (AFAIK) is that taking the course keeps your insurance company from finding out about the ticket. No more than once every 18 months.

It pays to confirm that the DMV received verification that you completed the program.

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Slims

I have had USAA since I was a child. When I was a teenager I got a ticket, and took the course. My families rates did not go up. In fact, they may have decreased a little bit because USAA really likes seeing that course.

Years later, and no longer part of my parents policy, I have received minor speeding tickets and my rate never increased. USAA has a pretty good system and since they are not a for-profit company but a co-op they are not trying to raise rates in order to make more money, but only when you really present a greater risk. Nearly everybody gets a minor ticket every now and again, it shouldn't be a problem.

But, I am not an insurance agent.

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hannahadora

Nice information about USAA Auto Insurance

Poetry

I'm with USAA too. They've done an amazing job for me. Carpool lane tickets, speeding tickets, red light tickets, stop sign tickets... I took a class for most of those, and insurance rates didn't go up at all.



I'd just like to say, I'm a good driver... I just like to go fast, and sometimes (mosttimes) stop lights at 3AM in deserted neighborhoods seem like a waste of my brake pads.

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chinese crested

Its all bloody well going up regardless. I notice there are some ladies posting here. You are probably well aware that we have been getting cheaper insurance than men because we are a safer bet to insure - like backing horses I guess, some are better odds.
Now we have been told that because men have demanded equality in prices - although they are higher risks - us ladies will have to cough up more to make it an even playing field. Personaly, I think that sucks, and if they are doing a carpet thing on gender, then where you live - say in a high crime area where cars are regularly nicked - why should you be discriminated against because you dont live in a gated community with security guards - surely the costs should be the same. Of course, I merely use this as an example of where the stupidity can go.
Why have 50% (ish) of car insurers clients no voice? Is it a lack of testicles?

The_Jazz

It's illegal in all 50 states to underwrite anything other than life insurance based on gender. Since this thread is about a specific US insurance company, that's pretty much all there is to say about that.

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chinese crested

Quite right. It is a specific company. Is it just the reading material to hand, or are they like an ideal company for bad drivers because they get you off?

The_Jazz

Neither. They only provide coverage for current and former military and their families. And an insurance company can't reduce or remove tickets or violations. They can only choose to ignore them.

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"There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush
"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

MiSo

different insurance companies have different policies.

but for most, it doesn't matter if you get the points taken off your license. the insurance company looks at the ticket itself. so lets say, if you had a deal that says you pay the fine and get zero points, your rates can still go up because the insurance company looks at the ticket and not points.

but from people's post on here it seems like their rates did not go up.


i'm a military member but don't have USAA because USAA wants to charge me more than geico. A LOT MORE!!

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genuinegirly

This statement blows my mind. Have you checked on pricing recently? Have you mentioned to USAA that Geico has offered you a better deal on insurance?

My husband and I have USAA. We did thorough research on insurance and couldn't find a company that could come close - not only were they half the price of other insurance companies, they offered twice the coverage, lower deductible, and they have exceptional customer service. When we married, we switched everything to USAA. We have everything from roadside assistance to renter's insurance for less than we could have insured one of our cars with another company.

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MSD

One of the few things I wish my dad had done that he didn't is to get on board with USAA. In college, a friend of mine was paying 1/10 of what I (on my parents' policy they've had with Allstate for 30 years) was paying and getting USAA bank CDs at 2% above prime rate. I've heard that Vermont's nondiscrimination laws regulating insurance require USAA to accept any Vermont citizens as members regardless of enlistment/family status, and I wonder how much I'd save over the years if I moved there for long enough to qualify, enrolled, and moved back.