Do Tickets for Texting Affect Your Car Insurance?

Last Updated on October 18, 2026

By James Shaffer Reviewed by Thomas Rockford, insurance industry executive and financial analyst, on October 18, 2026 How we fact-check

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 49 states and Washington, D.C. ban texting for all drivers, and 33 of those states also ban handheld phone use for every driver, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

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.

A texting ticket is a traffic violation that can raise your car insurance premium, though states differ on whether it carries license points.
How much one ticket raises your rate depends on your insurer, your state and the rest of your record, and repeat offenses usually cost more.
49 states ban texting for all drivers, and some 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.

Table Of Contents

Do Texting Tickets Affect Your Car Insurance Rates?
How Do Texting-While-Driving Laws Work?
How to Avoid Texting While Driving
What to Do If Your Insurance Rates Go Up After a Texting Ticket
FAQs
The Bottom Line
Sources

Do Texting Tickets Affect Your Car Insurance Rates?

Generally, yes. A ticket for texting while driving usually goes on your driving record, and insurers can surcharge it at renewal the way they would a speeding ticket.

What to expect:

Single texting ticket: The increase depends on your insurer, your state and your record, and no single percentage applies. States also differ on points. California, for example, adds a point only for a second handheld-phone conviction within 36 months of a prior one, a rule in place since July 1, 2021.
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.

The Governors Highway Safety Association’s state law summary, last updated in June 2026, counts 49 states plus Washington, D.C. that ban texting for all drivers, and 33 states plus D.C. that ban handheld phone use for all drivers. Some states impose stricter rules for:

Novice drivers: 36 states and D.C. ban them from any phone use, even hands-free.
Commercial drivers: Federal rules bar commercial drivers from texting or holding a phone to make a call, and repeat violations can cost a driver their commercial license.
School bus drivers: 25 states and D.C. ban all phone use while driving a school bus.

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 major cause of crashes. NHTSA says 3,208 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2024.

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:

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. Insurers usually rate a violation for a limited number of years, commonly three to five, and each company sets its own lookback period, so ask yours. Some states keep violations on your driving record longer than that.
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

Do tickets for texting while driving always raise my car insurance rates?

In most cases, yes. A texting conviction signals higher risk to insurers. Many companies will increase your premium at renewal after a texting citation, especially if you already have other violations on your record. The exact impact depends on your state, insurer, and overall driving history.

How much will my premium go up after a texting ticket?

There’s no single number. The increase depends on your insurer, your state and the rest of your driving record. Some states or insurers may impose larger surcharges, especially for repeat offenses or if the violation involved an accident. Your best move is to check your renewal offer and then compare quotes from other insurers to see who treats the violation most leniently.

How long does a texting-while-driving ticket stay on my record?

Typically, texting violations affect your insurance rates for about 3–5 years, although the citation may remain on your driving record longer depending on your state. Insurers generally “rate” recent violations more heavily. If you avoid new tickets during that window, your premium should start to come down as the texting ticket ages off.

Are texting and driving laws the same in every state?

No. Nearly all states now ban texting while driving, but the specifics—like fine amounts, whether handheld calls are banned, and whether enforcement is primary or secondary—vary. Some states have stricter rules for teen and commercial drivers. Even if your state’s fine is low, your insurer may still view the ticket as a serious risk factor.

Can a defensive driving course help offset a texting ticket?

In many states, yes. An approved defensive driving or traffic school course may remove points, reduce fines, or qualify you for a small insurance discount. Rules differ by state and insurer, so check with your DMV and your insurance company to see whether a course can help reduce the impact of a texting ticket on your premium.

What’s the best way to prevent texting tickets and related rate hikes?

The best strategy is to remove the temptation entirely. Use Do Not Disturb While Driving mode, keep your phone out of reach, let contacts know you won’t respond while driving, and use hands-free options only when truly necessary. If you do receive a ticket, focus on safe driving going forward and shop around for the most affordable policy while the violation is still on your record.

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.

My advice is to ask your insurer before renewal whether the ticket will be surcharged and for how long. Then get two or three other quotes, because companies weigh one phone ticket very differently.

Sources

Checked October 18, 2026

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