How Traffic Violations Affect Your Insurance Rates (2026 Texas Guide)
Texas insurance rate increase by violation (2026 data)
Minor moving violations (speeding under 25 mph over, illegal turn): +22% average for 3 years. Major violations (DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run): +89% for 5 years. At-fault accidents without violation: +34-46% for 3 years. These are Texas-specific averages from the Texas Department of Insurance 2025 market report.
How long violations stay on your Texas driving record
Texas keeps moving violations on your record for 3 years from conviction date. Insurance companies typically surcharge for 3 years for minor violations, 5 years for major violations (DUI, reckless). After that, the violation no longer affects your premium – but accidents stay on your CLUE report for 5-7 years.
SR-22 insurance requirements in Texas
Texas requires SR-22 filing after: DUI, DWI, driving without insurance, license suspension, or 3+ moving violations. SR-22 is not insurance – it is a certificate proving you carry minimum liability (30/60/25 in Texas). You must maintain SR-22 for 2-3 years (varies by violation). Average Texas SR-22 premium: $2,400-$4,200/year – about 3x normal rates.
Can you avoid the rate increase?
Sometimes. Options: 1) Take a Texas defensive driving course (online, ~$25, dismisses the ticket) – must be done before the court date. 2) Hire a traffic attorney ($150-300) to negotiate reduction to a non-moving violation. 3) Shop carriers – not all insurers surcharge equally. 4) Wait – the surcharge drops off after 3 years.
Texas point system vs insurance surcharge
Texas does NOT use a license point system. The Texas Driver Responsibility Program (2004-2019) assigned points, but it was eliminated. Today, insurance companies use their own internal scoring based on your MVR (motor vehicle report). This is why two Texas drivers with the same violation can see different rate increases.
All Star Insurance Agency has been serving Killeen and Central Texas since 2007. Free comparison quotes from 5+ carriers in 10 minutes.
Call (254) 690-9400How Traffic Violations Affect Your Insurance Rates (2026 Texas Guide)
Texas insurance rate increase by violation (2026 data)
Minor moving violations (speeding under 25 mph over, illegal turn): +22% average for 3 years. Major violations (DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run): +89% for 5 years. At-fault accidents without violation: +34-46% for 3 years. These are Texas-specific averages from the Texas Department of Insurance 2025 market report.
How long violations stay on your Texas driving record
Texas keeps moving violations on your record for 3 years from conviction date. Insurance companies typically surcharge for 3 years for minor violations, 5 years for major violations (DUI, reckless). After that, the violation no longer affects your premium – but accidents stay on your CLUE report for 5-7 years.
SR-22 insurance requirements in Texas
Texas requires SR-22 filing after: DUI, DWI, driving without insurance, license suspension, or 3+ moving violations. SR-22 is not insurance – it is a certificate proving you carry minimum liability (30/60/25 in Texas). You must maintain SR-22 for 2-3 years (varies by violation). Average Texas SR-22 premium: $2,400-$4,200/year – about 3x normal rates.
Can you avoid the rate increase?
Sometimes. Options: 1) Take a Texas defensive driving course (online, ~$25, dismisses the ticket) – must be done before the court date. 2) Hire a traffic attorney ($150-300) to negotiate reduction to a non-moving violation. 3) Shop carriers – not all insurers surcharge equally. 4) Wait – the surcharge drops off after 3 years.
Texas point system vs insurance surcharge
Texas does NOT use a license point system. The Texas Driver Responsibility Program (2004-2019) assigned points, but it was eliminated. Today, insurance companies use their own internal scoring based on your MVR (motor vehicle report). This is why two Texas drivers with the same violation can see different rate increases.
All Star Insurance Agency has been serving Killeen and Central Texas since 2007. Free comparison quotes from 5+ carriers in 10 minutes.
Call (254) 690-9400