How do I make it so the insurance won't find out about my speeding ticket?

[mdt610]

What is the name of your state? Utah

I received a speeding ticket this morning. The only thing that I don't want is for my insurance agency to find out. Someone told me at work that if I pay one dollar over the amount for the ticket, they're not allowed to put the points on my record. They said that they tried this with one of their speeding tickets and they received a $1.00 dollar reimbursement check. When they got it, they just shredded it. The next time they paid their annual insurance coverage, they asked if they had any speeding tickets, and the insurance company said that they didn't. Is this true? I sure hope so. I would sure be willing to try it out for a dollar. It definately wouldn't hurt. Let me know. Thanks!What is the name of your state?

[mdt610]

UT

Is there any way to prove that that isn't true?

[Ozark_Sophist]

Get a lawyer--they can usually get the ticket reduced so it does not appear on insurance. It will cost a couple hundred but in the long run, it probably saves on insurance.

[Ozark_Sophist]

Oh, and the dollar thing? Are you really attempting to BRIBE the courts to have them not report your ticket to the insurance? That could get really expensive.

[PrinceCharming]

What you can do (I have done this myself) is arrange for the court date to be as late as possible. Most court houses permit 2 requests. Pick the latest date possible.

This will not help you be found not guilty, but it will reduce the amount of time you have to wait for the points to come off.

Lets do the math.

May 1 2007, you get a parking ticket. Let's say it stays on the record for three years, so it will stay until May 1, 2010.

BUT>>> you are found guilty on May 1 2008. So you only have points for two years.

Also, many states permit a "probation before judgement" or a plea bargain. After you are done exhusting all requests for a later date, definitely use that.

[>Charlotte<]

Originally Posted by mdt610

UT

Is there any way to prove that that isn't true?

Yes. Try it.

[>Charlotte<]

Originally Posted by Ozark_Sophist

Oh, and the dollar thing? Are you really attempting to BRIBE the courts to have them not report your ticket to the insurance? That could get really expensive.

No, it's not a bribe. It's based on the assumption that as long as the reimbursement check remains outstanding, the case can't be closed and the paperwork never progresses to the "notify the insurance company" stage. At least, that's the version I've heard. It's an old myth with several slightly different versions.

[racer72]

Originally Posted by mdt610

UT

Is there any way to prove that that isn't true?

My sister in law is a receivals clerk for a city court in a mid sized Washington state city. She says she gets 3 or 4 checks a week with the fine purposely overpaid in an attempt to pull the scam you describe. All she does is credit the correct amount to the fine and any amount left over is deposited into a special account in the ticket payer's name. If the person wants their overpayment back, they have to ask. This is the same method used by virtually all courts in the US.