If you caused a crash, filed a claim, or received a ticket for a serious violation, you might be a candidate for high-risk car insurance. Car insurance for bad drivers is almost always expensive, but the extra cost you face varies based on your auto insurance company, your driving history, and the area in which you live.

What goes into auto insurance prices for high-risk drivers in Indiana:

1. At-fault accidents
2. Speeding
3. Distracted driving
4. Racing
5. Reckless driving
6. View Indiana driving laws

Car insurance after an at-fault collision in Indiana

If you're found at-fault for an auto collision, expect your auto insurance costs to jump. In Indiana, the average insurance rate following an at-fault crash is $1,651, compared to the U.S. average of $2,012. A major incident like an at-fault collision can stay on your insurance record for up to three years.

INDIANA AUTO INSURANCE RATES FOLLOWING AN AT-FAULT ACCIDENT

The best insurer after an at-fault crash in Indiana is Allstate, with a typical rate increase after an incident is $589. If you've been at-fault in an accident in Indiana, steer clear of Illinois Farmers and Indiana Farmers Mutual, which sits on the pricier end of the spectrum.

AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS AFTER AN AT-FAULT COLLISION IN INDIANA — CHEAP CARRIERS

By how much does a speeding ticket raise car insurance rates in Indiana?

One of the common violations that earns drivers the "high-risk" classification is speeding. In Indiana, insurance costs go up by $225 per year following a speeding ticket, up to an average per-year price of $1,358.

INDIANA AUTO INSURANCE RATES AFTER A SPEEDING TICKET

The best way to find affordable car insurance after getting a ticket for speeding is to shop thoroughly and weigh all possible options. The cheapest auto insurance after a speeding citation in Indiana is available through Indiana Farmers Mutual. Indiana Farmers Mutual’s average rate after a violation is $365 less than the state average. If you have been cited for speeding in Indiana, Progressive is worth avoiding.

AUTO INSURANCE PRICES AFTER A SPEEDING VIOLATION IN INDIANA — CHEAPEST PROVIDERS

How does a distracted driving ticket affect car insurance rates in Indiana?

If you receive a citation for distracted driving, your car insurance won't be cheap. In Indiana, car insurance rates typically increase by $127 per year. That's an 11% increase from the usual yearly premium in Indiana, and 27% less than the nationwide average cost of auto insurance after a distracted driving offense.

INDIANA CAR INSURANCE PRICES WITH A DISTRACTED DRIVING CITATION

The best way to get cheap auto insurance after a distracted driving citation is to compare carriers. The cheapest auto insurance insurer after being ticketed for distracted driving in Indiana is Indiana Farmers Mutual, with an average rate of just $874 per year, 31% less than the average distracted driving insurance premium from all insurers.

AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS AFTER DISTRACTED DRIVING IN INDIANA — CHEAPEST CARRIERS

How does a ticket for racing impact Indiana car insurance rates?

Racing is an extremely serious offense. Car insurance carriers often penalize racing tickets severely — in fact, Indiana car insurance rates rise by $616 annually following a citation for racing. That is a 54% increase on the average yearly auto insurance premium in Indiana!

If you've been cited for racing, do your due diligence and find the best rates. In Indiana, start your search with State Farm, offering rates 37 percent cheaper than the state average after a racing citation.

CAR INSURANCE RATES FOLLOWING A RACING CITATION IN INDIANA — CHEAPEST CARRIERS

How reckless driving affects car insurance rates in Indiana

As one of the most serious moving violations, reckless driving is a surefire way to pay more for auto insurance. Insurance companies raise premiums by $584 per year after reckless driving. That's 52% higher than the typical auto insurance rate in Indiana and 28% less than the U.S. average price increase for a reckless driving ticket.

INDIANA CAR INSURANCE PRICES AFTER RECKLESS DRIVING

If you're ticketed for reckless driving, you should shop around to get the best rate. In Indiana, the cheapest underwriter after a reckless driving offense is Indiana Farmers Mutual.

AUTO INSURANCE RATES AFTER A RECKLESS DRIVING CITATION IN INDIANA — AFFORDABLE CARRIERS

If you are seeking auto insurance as a high-risk driver, your best option is to shop around and find the best possible policy.

Indiana Driving Laws

Traffic laws in Indiana have been enacted to discourage unsafe driving habits that could result in injury or death. These laws are meant to protect both drivers and pedestrians and cover infractions such as speeding, distracted driving, and even racing. If you find yourself in violation of one of these laws, you could be facing steep penalties. As such, it’s best to be aware of Indiana driving laws.  

Speeding in Indiana

When Are You Speeding in Indiana?

Indiana drivers are asked to maintain “reasonable and prudent” speeds for the conditions in which they are driving. Speed limits differ depending on factors such as what type of road you are on and the area in which you are driving.

More specifically, you are speeding in Indiana if you exceed the following:

• 30 miles per hour in urban areas
• 70 miles per hour on interstate highways outside of urban areas
• 55 miles per hour in other areas
• 65 miles per hour for highways considered INDOT Freeways
• Any other posted speed limit

Penalties for Speeding in Indiana?

• Two points for going one to 15 miles per hour over the speed limit
• Four points for going 16 to 25 miles per hour over the speed limit
• Six points for going over 25 miles per hour over the speed limit

Indiana speeding fines vary depending on the type of offense. For instance, speeding in an area near a school carries a maximum fine of $1000, far exceeding the normal $500 imposed in most other areas. Similarly, if you are found speeding in a construction zone, you can expect to see a $300 fine at the very least, with that fine rising with subsequent violations.

Points stay on your record for two years, with more points leading to longer periods of license suspension.

Reckless Driving in Indiana

What is Reckless Driving in Indiana?

Indiana reckless driving is defined as “operating a vehicle at such a high or low rate of speed such as to endanger the safety or property of others or block the proper flow of traffic.”

Reckless driving in Indiana can include such actions as:

• Passing a school bus with an extended stop arm
• Passing another vehicle while on a slope or a curve where vision is obstructed
• Driving in and out of the line of traffic

Penalties for Reckless Driving in Indiana

The state of Indiana imposes strict penalties for reckless driving. If you find yourself in violation of these laws, you can expect the following:

• Eight points for reckless driving resulting in personal injury or property damage as well as a mandatory suspension of up to one year.
• Up to 180 days in jail
• License suspension of up to one year
• Fines of up to $1,000

Depending on the severity of the offense, penalties could be even harsher, especially when reckless driving causes property damage, serious bodily injury, or death.

Aggressive Driving

What is Aggressive Driving in Indiana?

The state of Indiana is unique in that it classifies aggressive driving differently than reckless driving as is done by many other states. In order to be guilty of aggressive driving, you must be in violation of at least three of the following in one continuous session of driving:

• Following a vehicle too closely
• Unsafe operation of a vehicle
• Overtaking another vehicle on the right by driving off the roadway
• Unsafe stopping or slowing a vehicle
• Unnecessary sounding of the horn
• Failure to yield
• Failure to obey a traffic control device
• Driving at an unsafe speed
• Repeatedly flashing the vehicle's headlights 

Otherwise, you can also be considered guilty of aggressive driving if you have the intent to harass or intimidate a person in another vehicle, knowingly or intentionally.

Penalties for Aggressive Driving in Indiana

The infraction is often considered to be more serious than reckless driving and is a Class A misdemeanor. As such, some of the accompanying penalties can include:

• Up to one year in prison
• A fine of up to $5,000
• License revoked for up to one year

Distracted Driving in Indiana

What is Distracted Driving in Indiana?

Distracted driving in Indiana is considered any behavior that pulls your attention away from the functions of operating a motor vehicle.

The three primary forms of distraction are:

• Cognitive: Mind taken off the road
• Visual: Eyes taken off the road
• Manual: Hands taken off the wheel

Common actions that contribute to distracting drivers include eating, talking to passengers, being on a mobile device, or even daydreaming.

While Indiana currently allows the use of cell phones while driving for adult drivers, if you are under the age of 21, you are not allowed to use a mobile device in any capacity, even if it has hands-free functionality. Furthermore, it is against the law for anyone to text, read, or transmit email while driving. Therefore, if you are texting and driving in Indiana, you are at risk of facing penalties.

Penalties for Distracted Driving in Indiana

The consequences of distracted driving depend on the severity of the occurrence. If you are caught on a cell phone, for instance, you will likely face a fine, though if you cause an accident while distracted, you could see a much harsher penalty. Consequences of distracted driving in Indiana can include:

• Four points added to your driving record
• A fine of $35 for a first offense
• A $250 fine for the second offense
• A $500 fine for the third offense

Racing in Indiana

What is Racing in Indiana?

Termed a “speed contest,” the state of Indiana is specifically defines racing as an unnecessary rapid acceleration by two or more vehicles that creates a hazard to pedestrians, passengers, vehicles, or other property.

Penalties for Racing in Indiana?

Racing in Indiana is considered a Class B misdemeanor. This can carry some pretty heavy penalties, some of which include:

• Up to 180 days in jail
• License suspension of up to one year
• Fines of up to $1,000

At-fault Accidents in Indiana

What is an At-fault Accident in Indiana?

Indiana is an at-fault state, meaning that if you become injured, have care damages, or lose wages due to a car accident, you can seek compensation from the insurance policy of the liable driver.

If you have a car accident in Indiana, you should know that the laws regarding assigning of fault are slightly different than in many states. Indiana utilizes what’s known as Modified Comparative Negligence in order to determine who is at fault. This can have an impact on whether or not you receive compensation. Essentially, for you be considered at fault, you need to at least be 51% responsible.

With the Modified Comparative Negligence system, it is required that you be less than 51% at fault in order to pursue a personal injury claim. If you were considered to be 25% at fault, however, you should know that you can still seek compensation but that it will be proportionate to your percentage of responsibility.

If a jury awards $50,000 in damages, for instance, with you being 25% responsible, it would mean that you would be eligible for $37,500, or 75% of the total award.

Indiana requires that all motorists have at least minimum liability coverage. Indiana’s requirement for minimum liability car insurance is as such:

• Uninsured Motorists: bodily injury: $25,000/$50,000
• Property Damage: at least $10,000 per accident
• Underinsured Motorists: bodily injury: $50,000

Penalties for At-fault Accidents in Indiana

Driving in Indiana without insurance is not only frowned upon, it is illegal. By taking the wheel without the proper coverage, you are setting yourself up for facing steep fines or, if you are in an accident, even stiffer consequences.

If you are caught driving without insurance in Indiana, you can expect the following penalties:

• 1st offense: 90-day suspension of drivers license
• 2nd offense: $500 fine, one year suspended license, required to carry SR-22 for three years
• 3rd (or subsequent) offense: $1,000 reinstatement fee, one year suspended license, required to carry an SR-22 for five years

Along with the penalties above, another headache that can arise is that you can almost certainly expect your car insurance rates in Indiana to be much higher in the future.  

Sources and references:

• http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2018/ic/titles/009#9-21
• https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/indiana/in-code/indiana_code_9-13-2-172
• https://teendriving.aaa.com/IN/teens/going-solo/distracted-driving/
• https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/09/15/how-one-indiana-police-department-catches-distracted-drivers/671062001/
• https://www.in.gov/dol/2873.htm
• https://www.drivinglaws.org/resources/indiana-text-cell-phone-laws.html
• https://www.ckflaw.com/blog/indianas-comparative-fault-laws/
• https://www.in.gov/idoi/2579.htm
• https://www.geico.com/information/states/in/