Does Not Wearing a Seat Belt Affect Insurance?

Does not wearing a seat belt affect your insurance?

Not wearing a seat belt can affect your insurance rate if you're given a ticket, but it depends on how your state and insurer treat the violation. In general, if not wearing a seat belt is treated as a moving violation (like a speeding ticket) in your state, then you could see a rate increase because many insurers factor moving violations into their rates. If your state treats seat belt tickets as non-moving violations (like parking tickets), then you may not see any impact on your insurance rate.

Does a seat belt violation affect my insurance rate?

It depends on where you live. In general, your car insurance rate can increase if you're ticketed for moving violations. Rates don't usually change because of non-moving violations like parking tickets. Some states consider seat belt violations a moving violation, but others don't. Check the seat belt laws in your state, in addition to asking your insurer, to see whether a seat belt violation could affect your insurance rate. Learn more about car insurance cost factors.

Pro tip:

Most states consider seat belt violations primary enforcement traffic violations. That means police can stop you for not wearing a seat belt even if you're not breaking any other laws.

How will my insurance company know that I wasn't wearing my seat belt?

If you get a seat belt ticket, it'll show up on your driving record. Insurance companies use your driving history or motor vehicle record to determine the risk of insuring you. If you have a number of accidents and violations on your record, then you could see a higher rate than someone who has fewer incidents on theirs. Keep in mind that you may or may not see a rate increase for a seat belt ticket, depending on how your state and insurer treat them.