My friend Janet developed a lot of bad habits behind the wheel and now she is paying for them with cold hard cash. Ok maybe not cold hard cash (because cash is usually neither cold nor hard) but with her debit card

Her bad habits increased her chances of getting tickets and getting into accidents which directly affect your car insurance. Here is a list of silly mistakes that I have personally seen Janet commit which I think lead to her paying more on her auto insurance premiums.

Speeding

She loves to speed and treats the speed limit as the minimum speed she should be traveling. From a broker’s point of view, car insurance is all about risk. A speeding ticket is a big sign to insurance firms that you are a dangerous driver. Driving above the speed limit is sure to increase your chances of having an accident and costing them money. To keep risks down, make sure you keep to the speed limit at all times in order to prevent getting a ticket and increasing your premiums.

Running a Red Light

I think the main reasons she runs red lights is because she is either speeding to begin with or she is distracted. This is another sure-fire technique to raise your insurance premiums through the roof. Many red lights have cameras attached in order to catch drivers who think they can beat the system. These results are then recorded and noted on your permanent record, which insurance companies will read when deciding what they should charge. Being careful at lights will help you keep your costs down.

Using a Mobile Phone

She is constantly on her phone talking and texting. I have personally seen her come close to being in many accidents because of her insistance on using her phone while driving. Drivers who use a mobile are becoming a risk on the roads, with more and more reported accidents involving the use of a phone. These incidents are usually recorded and will make your insurance company vastly increase your premiums if you are involved in an accident. Looks into the laws established by your state, but if you must use a phone while you drive, leave the texting for later and only speak if you have a hands-free set.