Will an expired vehicle inspection citation increase my car insurance rates?
Expired vehicle inspection stickers may increase car insurance rates even though they are not moving violations. There is usually a grace period in which you can have your vehicle inspected and avoid having this infraction show up on your driving record. Read on to learn the details.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jul 10, 2023
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jul 10, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- In states where vehicle inspections must be done, failing to provide proof of inspection may lead to being ticketed
- Several U.S. states require periodic vehicle safety checks, while others may require a car inspection during a sale or transfer process
- Expired inspection stickers may lead to an increase in car insurance rates
Each state has specific rules concerning the vehicles on its roads. Although some states may require periodic safety checks, others may require a safety check only when selling or transferring a car to someone else.
You may be ticketed in those states where vehicle inspections are required if your vehicle doesn’t undergo a timely safety check. Although an expired inspection sticker is considered a non-moving traffic offense, it may still impact your auto insurance rates.
An Expired Vehicle Inspection Citation May Increase Your Car Insurance Rates
If a traffic officer stops you, then points out that your inspection sticker has expired, you will likely get a citation. What happens afterward depends on which state the ticket was issued and its laws concerning vehicle inspection.
Usually, you will have a grace period when you may get your inspection completed and avoid further consequences for having an out-of-date inspection sticker. But, if you ignore the citation you were issued and don’t get your car inspected during the grace period, the citation will become a non-moving violation and show up on your driving record.
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Which states require vehicle inspections?
Currently, 14 states require periodic car inspections that must be done at least once every year in all areas to determine emission rates and safety conditions. These include:
- Hawaii
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Other states like California, Arizona, and Delaware, among others, require an emissions inspection every two years. And some states, like Rhode Island and Mississippi, require a safety inspection every two years.
Keep in mind that some insurance companies may require vehicle inspections before providing coverage, even in states where inspections are not mandated.
How do vehicle inspection citations affect your car insurance rates?
Insurance companies tend to analyze the risk profile of every potential client before deciding whether to provide coverage or not. When doing so, your driving record is considered, among other things.
Non-moving violations, such as vehicle inspection citations, won’t increase your insurance rates. It’s usually the moving violations that insurance companies consider when calculating your insurance rates.
In states with a points system, a series of vehicle inspection citations within a specified period may soon add up and put you within a point range that makes your rates unreasonable. But the points you accumulate for each violation will depend on the state where you committed the offense. For example, every time you drive recklessly in Florida and get a citation, you will get four points on your license. When you accumulate 12 or more points within 12 months, you will get a 30-day license suspension.
Typically, law enforcement officials will observe you engaging in other kinds of unlawful behavior, such as speeding, and stop you. Then they may discover you also have an expired inspection sticker to add to your list of traffic offenses. That’s how you end up with many license points.
Remember, every traffic violation counts against you in some way. So, if your vehicle inspection period has expired and you committed other offenses, all of them may go on your driving record. Each of these offenses makes you more of a risk to insure, which leads to higher car insurance rates.
When insurance companies check your records and determine your license points, your driving records will be factored in to assess your risk profile. So, the better your driving record, the lower your auto insurance rates.
An Expired Vehicle Inspection Sticker May Cost You
You may not see a problem with ignoring your vehicle inspection sticker. You may even get away with it if it’s your first violation and the inspection is not long overdue. But luck may not always be on your side.
The longer you take to get your vehicle inspected, the more likely you are to deal with severe consequences. Also, the sticker may be the one mark against you that causes your risk profile based on your driving record to move from “average” to “bad.” And when that happens, you should brace yourself for higher auto insurance rates.
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Case Studies: Impact of Expired Vehicle Inspection Citations on Car Insurance Rates
Case Study 1: John’s Experience
John received a citation for an expired vehicle inspection sticker in State. Initially, he was given a grace period to get his car inspected and avoid further consequences. However, John ignored the citation and failed to get his vehicle inspected during the grace period.
As a result, the citation became a non-moving violation and appeared on his driving record. When John’s car insurance company reviewed his driving record, they considered the expired vehicle inspection citation as a risk factor, leading to an increase in his car insurance rates.
Case Study 2: Sarah’s Situation
Sarah resides in State, where periodic car inspections are required. She was diligent about maintaining up-to-date inspections for her vehicle. However, one day, Sarah forgot to renew her inspection sticker, resulting in an expired sticker.
During a routine traffic stop, she was issued a citation. Fortunately, Sarah promptly got her car inspected and resolved the situation. Since she had no other violations on her driving record, her car insurance rates remained unaffected by the expired vehicle inspection citation.
Case Study 3: Mark’s Multiple Violations
Mark’s driving behavior in State was marked by various traffic violations, including speeding and reckless driving. In addition to these offenses, he also had an expired inspection sticker on his vehicle.
Law enforcement officials stopped Mark for his unlawful behavior and discovered the expired inspection sticker, adding it to his list of traffic offenses. As a result, Mark accumulated a significant number of license points, making him a high-risk driver in the eyes of insurance companies.
Consequently, his car insurance rates substantially increased due to the combination of moving violations and the expired vehicle inspection sticker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will an expired vehicle inspection citation affect my car insurance rates?
Generally, an expired vehicle inspection citation itself does not directly impact your car insurance rates. Insurance companies typically do not consider this specific citation as a factor when determining your premiums.
What factors can influence my car insurance rates?
Car insurance rates are influenced by various factors, including but not limited to:
- Your driving record: Past accidents, traffic violations, and citations can affect your rates.
- Age and driving experience: Younger drivers and those with less experience may face higher premiums.
- Vehicle make and model: The type of car you drive, its age, and its safety features can impact rates.
- Location: Where you live and park your car can affect premiums due to varying levels of risk.
- Annual mileage: The distance you drive annually can influence your rates.
- Credit history: In some regions, credit history is considered when determining premiums.
Can an expired vehicle inspection citation indirectly affect my car insurance rates?
While the citation itself may not directly affect your rates, it’s important to remember that driving with an expired inspection can be illegal in many jurisdictions. If you continue driving without a valid inspection and are involved in an accident or receive additional citations, these incidents can impact your driving record. Any resulting penalties, such as points on your license or increased insurance premiums due to a poor driving record, would be the consequences of the additional violations rather than the expired inspection citation itself.
What should I do if I receive an expired vehicle inspection citation?
It’s crucial to address an expired vehicle inspection citation promptly to avoid further consequences. Typically, the appropriate course of action involves:
- Checking local regulations: Familiarize yourself with the specific laws and requirements regarding vehicle inspections in your jurisdiction.
- Scheduling an inspection: Arrange to have your vehicle inspected by an authorized facility to ensure it meets the necessary standards.
- Resolving the citation: Contact the relevant authorities to determine the appropriate steps for resolving the citation, such as paying a fine or providing proof of a passed inspection.
How can I keep my car insurance rates low?
While an expired vehicle inspection citation may not directly impact your rates, maintaining a clean driving record can help you secure lower insurance premiums. Some tips to keep your rates low include:
- Obey traffic laws: Drive responsibly, follow speed limits, and avoid traffic violations.
- Practice defensive driving: Stay alert, anticipate potential hazards, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
- Choose a safe vehicle: Vehicles with advanced safety features and high crash-test ratings can result in lower insurance premiums.
- Consider discounts: Inquire about available discounts from your insurance provider, such as safe driver discounts or bundling policies.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.