Do Tickets for Texting Affect Your Car Insurance?

Last Updated on December 11, 2025

By now, everyone knows that texting while driving is dangerous. A quick glance at your phone can take your eyes off the road long enough to cause a serious crash. That’s why nearly every state in the U.S. has banned texting behind the wheel—many also restrict all handheld phone use.

Still, the temptation to check a notification or send a quick reply is real. If you’ve been ticketed for texting while driving, you may be wondering: will this hurt my car insurance rates? In most cases, the answer is yes—but how much depends on your state, your insurer, and your overall driving record.

Key Takeaways

• Tickets for texting while driving are treated as moving violations and often increase car insurance premiums.
• A single texting ticket can raise rates by roughly 5–25%, with repeated offenses costing much more.
• Most states now ban texting while driving, and many add license points or other penalties to these violations.
• Using phone features like Do Not Disturb While Driving, placing your phone out of reach, and using hands-free systems sparingly can help you avoid tickets.

Do Texting Tickets Affect Your Car Insurance Rates?

Generally, yes. A ticket for texting while driving is treated as a moving violation and can increase your premium. Many drivers see a rate hike similar to (or slightly higher than) what they’d get for a speeding ticket.

On average, you can expect:

• Single texting ticket: Often raises rates by roughly 5–25%, depending on your insurer and state.
• Multiple distracted driving tickets: May trigger much larger increases or even non-renewal.
• Texting combined with other violations (e.g., reckless driving): Can lead to steep surcharges similar to serious offenses.

While texting violations usually don’t increase your premium as much as a DUI, insurers still view them as a significant risk factor. Distracted drivers are more likely to cause crashes, which means more claims for the insurance company—and higher prices to offset that risk.

How Do Texting-While-Driving Laws Work?

Distracted driving laws vary by state, but the trend is clear: texting behind the wheel is increasingly treated as a serious offense.

As of 2025, almost every state bans text messaging for all drivers, and many also prohibit hand-held phone use entirely. Some states impose stricter rules for:

• Novice drivers: Often banned from any phone use, even hands-free.
• Commercial drivers: Subject to federal rules and higher penalties.
• School bus drivers: Usually prohibited from using phones while driving.

Texting tickets may involve:

• Fines that increase with each offense
• Points on your license (in many states)
• Possible license suspension or additional penalties if combined with other violations

Distracted driving remains a leading cause of crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Even if you don’t get caught every time, insurers and lawmakers are treating texting tickets more seriously every year.

How to Avoid Texting While Driving

The best way to avoid both accidents and higher insurance rates is simple: don’t touch your phone while you’re driving. Here are some practical strategies that work in 2025:

• Use Do Not Disturb While Driving. Most smartphones have a built-in driving mode that silences notifications and auto-replies to texts.
• Put your phone out of reach. Keep it in the glove box, a bag, or the back seat so it’s not within easy grabbing distance.
• Tell people you’re on the road. Let family, friends, and co-workers know you’ll respond once you arrive. Most people will understand.
• Let a passenger handle your phone. If it’s truly urgent, ask a passenger to read and respond to texts for you.
• Use hands-free systems only when necessary. Car systems like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are safer than looking at your phone—but they still can be distracting. Avoid long conversations while driving.

Above all, remember: no text or notification is worth risking your life—or someone else’s.

What to Do If Your Insurance Rates Go Up After a Texting Ticket

If your insurance rates go up after a texting ticket, you’re not stuck forever. You still have options:

• Know how long the ticket stays on your record. In most states, texting violations affect your insurance for about 3–5 years. Some states may keep them on your driving record longer, but insurers usually rate them for a limited period.
• Take a defensive driving course. In some states, completing an approved defensive driving course can remove points, reduce fines, or qualify you for a small discount.
• Shop around for better rates. Even with a ticket on your record, you may find cheaper options. Car insurance quotes can vary dramatically between companies for the exact same driver.
• Consider switching providers mid-term. If another company offers a better price, you can usually switch mid-policy with little or no fee (depending on your insurer and state).

Most importantly, treat the ticket as a wake-up call. If you avoid future violations and maintain a clean record, your rates should gradually come down once the texting ticket ages off your record.

FAQs

The Bottom Line

Texting tickets absolutely can impact your car insurance—but they don’t have to define your rates forever. Avoiding phone use behind the wheel keeps you safer and prevents costly tickets and premium hikes.

If you’ve already been cited, focus on three things: drive distraction-free going forward, explore defensive driving or point-reduction programs in your state, and comparison shop to make sure you’re paying as little as possible while the ticket is on your record.