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How a parking ticket changes your car insurance rates

Pay off your parking tickets and you’ll have nothing to worry about.

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Sarah George
Updated
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You may have gotten tagged for parking in the wrong spot, but you don’t have to worry about one ticket affecting insurance. However, not paying for your tickets could affect your credit score or result in legal consequences.

How does a parking ticket affect car insurance rates?

Parking tickets don’t directly hurt your car insurance rates because insurers look at driving-related factors like moving violations, license suspensions or points on your driving record. However, if you avoid paying the ticket for a long time and get your license suspended, you can expect higher premiums.

How much does a parking ticket affect car insurance rates?

Most of the time, your parking ticket won’t affect your rates at all. But if you’ve racked up several, you could get higher rates for several worst-case scenarios:

  • License suspension. Companies view your suspension as risky behavior, which could lead to future driving risks too.
  • Lapsed coverage. You may be required to pay your tickets before renewing your car’s registration. If you don’t, your insurance company may not allow coverage for your unregistered vehicle, which would result in a lapse in insurance coverage. You can expect higher rates once you do renew insurance after a coverage lapse.
  • SR-22 policy. If you need to file an SR-22, you may have to go with a high-risk insurer, which could increase your rate.

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Get cheap car insurance after a parking ticket

Whether or not your parking ticket spiraled into higher insurance rates, you can lower your premium in several ways:

  • Shop around. Providers offer different rates and benefits, based on your specific needs.
  • Bundle everything under one roof. Pay for all your insurance needs in one discounted package.
  • Keep a spotless driving record. While you might have slipped up with parking, you can highlight your other safe driving skills by staying accident free.
  • Score discounts. Keep an eye out for new discounts you might qualify for, like homeowners or safety feature discounts.
  • Go with telematics. Let insurance companies focus on your safe driving every day, rather than one slip-up.
  • Stick with the necessities. Consider keeping your coverage as broad as you need but as little as possible.

How do I update my car insurance after an unpaid parking ticket?

You don’t need to do anything with insurance if you just received one parking ticket and paid on time. But if multiple unpaid tickets get listed on your credit or driving record as a suspension, you might need to follow a few steps:

  1. Contact your insurance company about filing an SR-22 document, if you’re required to do so.
  2. Shop with different providers to find one that covers high-risk drivers or offers a lower rate.
  3. If applicable, choose a provider and start an application.
  4. Provide personal and vehicle information, enter your payment and start a policy.
  5. For SR-22s, your insurer should file the necessary document with your state.

Bottom line

Since a parking ticket isn’t a moving violation, you shouldn’t see any effects on your driving record or insurance. However, forgetting to pay multiple tickets over a long time could tag you with multiple consequences.

The best way to avoid high rates is to simply pay your tickets on time and shop multiple providers for the best value.

Compare car insurance after a ticket

Name Product Roadside assistance New car protection Accident forgiveness Safe driver discount Available states
Progressive
Progressive
Optional
30%
All 50 states
Discover coverage that’s broader than competitors, valuable discounts up to 30% off and perks like shrinking deductibles that reward no claims.
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The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford
The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford
Optional
Yes
All 50 states
Enjoy low rates for mature drivers, plus perks like new car replacement and lifetime repair guarantees. Only for drivers over age 50.
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More Info
USAA
USAA
Optional
Yes
All 50 states
Affordable car insurance with highly rated customer service. Only available to military members and veterans and their family.
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