How a New York Traffic Ticket Affects Maryland Auto Insurance
A drive from Maryland to New York takes about three hours, although it can be longer for those visiting destinations north of Manhattan. Still, the easy accessibility by car makes New York a popular vacation spot and makes for convenient business trips. What is not so easy or convenient is a traffic ticket issued in New York.
Many Maryland drivers assume an out-of-state traffic ticket is not a big deal. Unfortunately, a New York traffic ticket is a big deal and can have a big impact on Maryland auto insurance rates. Here’s what happens when Maryland drivers get New York traffic tickets and what they should do about it.
New York And Maryland Share Traffic Ticket Details
Maryland and New York are among the majority of states that have a formal system and protocol for informing each other about traffic convictions that take place in their state. The Driver’s License Compact, as it is called, ensures that Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) will be notified should a Maryland driver pay, fail to pay, or get convicted in court of a NY traffic ticket. The agreement also establishes that the MVA will record the infraction on the offender’s driving record. Just as with a traffic ticket issued in the home state, auto insurance carriers will note the conviction and adjust the driver’s premium accordingly.
Maryland MVA Applies Points for Serious NY Tickets
Fortunately, most basic traffic violations that take place in New York or another state will not result in points on Maryland driving records. However, there are some violations that can result in associated point being assessed against the driver should they occur out of state. This includes drug- or alcohol-related driving infractions, manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle, or any felony in which a motor vehicle is used.
Maryland drivers should also be aware that while New York cannot assess points against out-of-state drivers, the point value still matters. As such, drivers can face serious penalties if they are convicted of one or more traffic violations with high point values based on NY’s point system. For example, drivers who are convicted of six points or more worth of infractions will be charged a Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA). This is a separate fee from the traffic fine itself and costs $300 plus $75 for each point over six. Convictions for 11 points or more worth of traffic tickets in NY tickets can result in having one’s right to drive in NY suspended.
Ignoring a NY Ticket Will Only Make It Worse
Paying a NY traffic ticket means admitting guilt and accepting a conviction, which guarantees one’s auto insurance will see the offense. That leads some to believe that refusing to pay the ticket could prevent the MVA from finding out about it.
This is wrong for three reasons. Firstly, failing to pay or respond to a traffic ticket usually results in a default conviction and Maryland will be informed anyway. Secondly, drivers who don’t respond to or pay a NY traffic ticket can have their NY driving privileges suspended. The suspension will also appear on a Maryland driving record. Lastly, the Compact agreement establishes that Maryland can opt to reciprocate a suspension issued in another state, which means choosing not to (or forgetting to) pay a NY ticket can cost a MD driver their license.
A NY Ticket Can Cost Hundreds of Dollars in Higher MD Premiums
When it comes to insurance premiums, Maryland drivers have are smack-dab in the middle. According to one study, the average annual premium in the U.S. is $1,318; MD drivers pay average premiums of $1,327. But each conviction can increase those rates significantly. Each violation carries a risk of an accident or other incident that could require the insurer to make a payment to one or more parties. Maryland drivers can see premium increases between 13 and 32 percent, depending on the offense. For a single ticket, it’s not uncommon for rates to rise by as much as 17.2 percent.
The exact adjustment will ultimately depend on a huge number of factors, such as the driver’s age, level of income, number of accidents on record, and any previous convictions. The carrier will also take into account the risk of suspension associated with the ticket.
How to Avoid the Insurance Impact of a NY Traffic Ticket
As with any traffic ticket issued in Maryland, the best strategy to ensure an NY traffic ticket does not affect one’s Maryland auto insurance rates is to hire a licensed New York attorney to fight the ticket. In most cases Maryland drivers who hires a NY attorney won’t have to drive back to NY to fight the ticket; New York State allows an attorney to appear in court and enter a plea deal or argue the case in lieu of the driver. An experienced traffic ticket attorney is most likely to successfully develop and execute a legal strategy that will mitigate or avoid the fines, points, and risk of suspension that comes with a conviction.
Author Bio
Adam Rosenblum, Esq. is the founder of TrafficTickets.com, a traffic ticket law firm that practices traffic ticket and criminal law in both New York and New Jersey.
https://www.carinsurancecomparison.com/out-of-state-speeding-tickets-and-your-car-insurance-rates/
https://www.insurance.com/auto-insurance/traffic-ticket-calculator.aspx
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tickets-and-auto-insurance-rates-whats-fact-or-fiction_us_59396e51e4b094fa859f1649
http://www.mva.maryland.gov/about-mva/info/26100/26100-01T.htm
How a New York Traffic Ticket Affects Maryland Auto Insurance
https://www.insure.com/car-insurance/car-insurance-rates.html MD right at national average.
https://www.insure.com/car-insurance/car-insurance-rates.html MD right at national average.
