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How Traffic Violations Affect Your Insurance Rates (2026 Texas Guide)

How Traffic Violations Affect Your Insurance Rates (2026 Texas Guide)
A By admin · February 26, 2020 · 7 min read · Updated July 18, 2026
2026 UPDATEREFRESHED

How Traffic Violations Affect Your Insurance Rates (2026 Texas Guide)

Quick Answer: Texas drivers with a recent traffic violation pay 23-30% more for auto insurance. Effects last 3-5 years. Some violations require SR-22 filing. Last updated: July 2026.

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.

Need a Texas insurance quote?

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
2026 UPDATEREFRESHED

How Traffic Violations Affect Your Insurance Rates (2026 Texas Guide)

Quick Answer: Texas drivers with a recent traffic violation pay 23-30% more for auto insurance. Effects last 3-5 years. Some violations require SR-22 filing. Last updated: July 2026.

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.

Need a Texas insurance quote?

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
You may be wondering how a speeding ticket or another infraction will impact your insurance rate. Unfortunately, any traffic violation will have an impact on your car insurance rates. However, the specific increase will depend on the nature of the ticket that you received and your past history. In general, traffic violations are much more likely to significantly affect your rates for young drivers and individuals who are already considered high-risk for other reasons. Here are a few of the most important things to know:

1. If you were caught speeding, how fast you were going is important

On average, Texas drivers will find that their car insurance rates go up by 15% after a speeding ticket. If you were going 30 miles per hour or more over the speed limit, the increase in your rates is likely to be especially significant. Also, other circumstances will make a difference, such as whether you received other violations in addition to the speeding ticket.

2. Non-moving violations will not impact your rates

If you receive a parking ticket or another non-moving violation, it’s not likely to impact your car insurance rates. The only time that a parking ticket could impact your car insurance rates would be if you did not pay the fine.

3. DUIs can have an especially serious impact

While it is possible to get car insurance after a DUI, this offense can have a very serious impact on your car insurance rates, and the impact of this offense will last for 10 years. On average, car insurance rates go up 94% after a DUI during the first year. Second and third-year rates are increased by over 60% on average.

4. The impact of minor moving violations is variable

A minor traffic violation, such as running a red light or stop sign, will immediately raise car insurance rates for some people. However, in other cases, these offenses will not immediately raise an individual’s car insurance rate significantly. Some drivers will not notice their rates go up unless there have been multiple minor traffic tickets.

All Star Insurance offers low rates

If you have a traffic violation on your driving record, we’re still the best choice for Texas car insurance coverage. Not only do we offer exceptionally comprehensive plans, but you can be sure that our policies are of great value!
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Licensed Texas Insurance Agent · All Star Insurance Agency

30+ years serving Killeen, Fort Cavazos, Harker Heights, and Copperas Cove. Our agents review every article before publication.

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