If this seat belt violation is your first and only minor New York State moving violation then it should not cause a surcharge to be added to your auto insurance policy.

According to the NYS Insurance Department surcharges are not permitted if you have a single minor moving violation of the Vehicle & Traffic Law, other than those excepted by the Insurance Law. These exceptions include (partial list) being convicted of:

• speeding more than 15 MPH over the legal limit;
• driving while intoxicated or impaired by alcohol or drugs;
• operating a vehicle while attempting to avoid apprehension by a law enforcement officer;
• leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it;
• operating a vehicle in a race or speed test;
• driving without a license or knowingly permitting an unlicensed person to drive your vehicle; or
• filing a false insurance claim.

If you already have other moving violations on your NY driving record then a conviction of this seat belt violation could cause your rates to rise however if this is your first minor moving violation then a surcharge would not be charged and thus your premiums would not be raised due to only this citation.

Your insurer may take off a safe driver discount, etc for a moving violation though so you should check with your insurance agent for information on your insurance company's rating system.

Safety Belt Laws and You is an article in our Learning Center you might find of interest.