Q: What’s the easiest way to keep low insurance rates?

A: With a clean drivers record.

Not only will you need to pay that speeding ticket, you’ll be paying for it the next couple years on your auto insurance. Insurance companies determine your rates in part by what kind of a driver you are. If you’re a safe driver with no citations, an insurance company sees you as a low risk to insure. If you’re a road-raging multi-major-accident driver, the insurance company may view you a little differently.

Massachusetts determines the magnitude of driving violations with surchargeable points. For example, a major accident will count more points than a 5 mile over speeding ticket. Take a look at how Massachusetts classifies your driving violations:

Surchargeable Incident	Surcharge Points
Major Traffic Violation (i.e., D.U.I.)	5
Major At-Fault Accident (claim over $2,000)	4
Minor At-Fault Accident (claim over $500 to $2,000)	3
Minor Traffic Violation (i.e., speeding)	2

Each citation adds more than just a few bucks on to your insurance. Avoid these hefty points with safe driving: allow  extra traveling time, drive defensively, and buckle up. Your check book will thank you.