Love affair with X compromised by state trooper
 

I am in love my X5, there is no doubt, But I am considering letting her go because of a momentary lapse of good judgment while driving my friend's Z06 Corvette (He did say to "goose it up a bit" on a nice little road where nobody ever pays attention ....except THAT day!)

A call from my insurance agent confirmed that my rates are going to nearly tripple on the X5 because of the fast driving award from the NC State trooper. :banghead:

This is almost like having a one night stand with a hottie you have no real chance with, getting caught and your beautiful and faithful wife ultimately finds out and tells you that your stupitidy is going to cost the relationship.

:loser:


Normally, I am a reasonable and responsible 45 year old with a clean driving record, but I found my alter ego that day in the Z06. I suppose it could happen to anyone, provided the opportunity and a little coaching from a buddy. There is really no one to blame but myself. It's totally my fault and now I have to pay.... but it makes no sense to me to pay such outrageous insurance premiums. Regretfully, I feel like the only solution is sell my X5.... what would you do? :dunno:

So check it out now on eBay (item #180424213196) and tell your fellow Xers that mine is now available... Somebody is going to get a very nice, well loved and cared for vehicle.

My heart weeps.:(

Sorry to hear about what happened. That is a very beautiful X5, and the next owner will be very lucky to pick up such a nicely modified example!

Beautiful truck...! before selling your well cared for baby, I'd get insurance quotes from other insurance carriers. Because if they are raising the rates on your current vehicle due to the ticket, they'd likely raise the rates on whatever your current ride is regardless of what it is... If I were in your position I'd get quotes from other carriers, then present that information to your insurance carrier and give them the option of leniency or losing a customer to more reasonable pricing. It isn't like you have a driving record full of careless operation and speeding tickets, so a one time ticket in someone elses vehicle shouldn't affect your rates that drastically imo.

Have you looked into alternate insurance companies? What about "removing the point" from your record? In Ca, we're able to go to traffic school for moving violations in order to keep them off our insurance record, keeping your rates down after an incident.

did you hire a lawyer and go to court for the ticket? You can probably bargain and just pay a fine vs. paying a fine & taking points off. (which will result in an increase in insurance)


btw. will you part anything out from your X?

Sorry to hear about your ticket but it sounds as if there is more to your story than you are telling us. How fast were you going and how's your driving record? You must have been going pretty fast. You were lucky you didn't end up in jail...or did you? It's never happened to me, but one speeding ticket rarely equates to raising your premiums threefold. If it does, you will be paying tripple for any other vehicle you will buy. I'd just hang on to the X and not make any snap decision you may regret.

:iagree:
You can get it reduced - give it a try. Moreover, go to your insurance company and get quote for a $1000 deductable for collision. It too can drop your rates big time. I've been running $1000 deductable for years and years. I'd love to know how much I've saved but it's hundreds and hundreds every year for multiple cars.

Good luck.

No other options...
 

Unfortunately, I have already looked into all these options. The circumstances are bad; 52 mph over the posted limit (the trooper said he saw tripple digits before locking the radar in... believe me, it is way too easy in a Z06); in addition, anything over a certain speed in North Carolina automatically gets a wreckless driving award too.

I could have been arrested, license revoked on the spot and required to sit in jail; but I this didn't happen. I immediately pulled over and was very cooperative with the officer.

I had a spotless driving record... until now.
I hired a lawyer. The statutes changed in January 2009, taking away certain descretions from judges and attorneys for the state, so I was left with two choices. take the speeding ticket at face value and lose my licence for 6 months or take the wreckless driving and the points. I opted to take the wreckless driving and keep my license. Either way would have cost major insurance points.

My insurance agent is also a car guy. He owns a 600+hp Charger and has admitted to letting it hang out on a quiet road, so he understands and is trying to help. The X5 is not my only vehicle... it is the most expensive one to insure. The other vehicles are an old CRX (no collision needed) and my work vehicle, which is necessary. :rolleyes:

The good new is that the points and the premiums will go away after 3 years. I will be patient, keep my head down, drive safe, save my money and buy a brand new X5 when this is finished.

and next time, I will follow my own advice and take it to a track.

woah. 52 over the posted is pretty high. should've just ran with triple digits. lol. (kidding, of course). well good luck on your sale, and hope to see you in the future in a new X!

So your insurance agent is telling you that if you sell X5 your rates will go down?
From insurance standpoint:What's the guarantee that you will not speed in your next car? You did not speed in X5.

Would You Like to part??

:iagree:

What is the reasoning behind in just increasing the X5 insurance?

You're going to have an insurance increase regardless of where you go, so why sell and take a loss on a perfectly good vehicle by selling it? I understand the CRX and work truck might be cheaper, so why not get seperate policies on the X, then keep the CRX and truck on your existing? Since you haven't gone to court for this yet, you can still get your policy for at least a year until your carrier renews your policy and sees that it's on your record. In that year, maybe things in general will go down, so the hit of increase would be reduced come renewal time.

Honestly, I don't know the specifics of how my insurance works, but I've got what's called a Broadform Policy. It's something my friend introduced me to after his insurance agent got him on one to help him assist his elderly parents w/ their insurance needs.

All I know it that I'm insuring 5 vehicles at under $100 per month, carrying an insurance card on each to make me compliant. Granted, these vehicles are paid off, so I'm only required to keep comprehensive. I don't have an immaculate record, but I don't even remember what could still be outstanding either. With this being your first ticket, having your premiums triple is outrageous. There has to be another way...it's not like you're some 20yr old kid. Best of luck.

I agree...not sure the whole situ is portrayed and the "ins co" doesn't even know
the OP has a ticket, yet. Unusual story & circumstances, but good luck.

Explored all the avenues...I think
 

Thanks for all the input. This ticket has been looming over my head for several months... I have already been to court with my attorney and the judgement is done. My insurance policy renews Nov 1 and that is when the "new" rate will apply. The CRX will be a whole lot less to insure since it has a very low value and therefore I will not put collision on it.

The X5 was not my everyday car; It was something I would drive whenever I would take my wife out to dinner or to a special event. She has a company car ('09 Camery) that we can drive anywhere, anytime for a payroll deducted $80/month personal use fee.... including gas, maintenance and insurance! Not a bad deal... so we will be taking advantage of that.

I think I have found peace in my decision to sell the X5 and will reward myself with something special in three years when the points fall off... Maybe an X5 M? :D ....With Cash from the sale of the X, less insurance premiums to pay, save a little coin for three years... financially, I will be in a better position and should be able to pay cash for whatever I want.

I can drive a new V6 Camery for the next three years! No problem!:thumbup:

Parting...
 

The car has been on Ebay for less than a day and I have had 2 respectable offers so far. I'm thinking that someone is getting very close to taking it. :thumbup:

I appreciate the interest, but I'm not going to part it (at least, not yet).

I am an insurance agent and I would love to know how your insurance company found out about the ticket. Most companies will not pull records every renewal just paying the fees they would go broke pulling mvrs on all of their insureds. Unless there is an accident or a reason to pull a record most just don't. I have around 14 companies that I represent and only one pulls records at each renewal. Unless the agent put the ticket on your renewal I seriously doubt your company would even know. If he did I would drop him. Also until the you have been found guilty in court the ticket can not even show on your record. I have people that have had insurance with our agency since 1985 the last time their record was pulled was in 1985. Something is not adding up...the ticket would absolutely cause your insurance to be higher if they know about it.

He probably told them about it...which I would have never done.

I have already been to court...
 

The company is Farm Bureau in North Carolina. I did not volenteer any information to my agent, but I got a cancellation letter anyway. I called about the letter and this is when he told me about the insurance points. He will be able to insure me, but at a MUCH higer rate...

Just had the same thing in mass last week. 104 in a 65 in my 4.8is. was going almost 120 before i saw him. Valentine one not to good for lidar.

MA vs. NC
 

Statie? Where did you get zapped? I used to live in West Falmouth and commuted between BOS and PVD... lots of miles and occasional blasts.

last rest stop before leaving mass on mass pike. wasn't even over 100 for 10 seconds

I don't think anything is good for lidar unless:

1) you're following somebody and pick up the signal that blasts the guy in front of you just in time to slow down

2) you have a K40 system (or similar system) with a laser jammer in the front

Yep
 

Sounds familiar... I was only on the gas for a very short jaunt. I was already cruising back down when I saw him coming up in my rearview.:(

no jammer just detector. he had his dome light on so I hit the brakes ad then heard the radar go off.I wonder if the jammer really works.

I know one thing can detect lidar /jammer..... Is slow down.;)

Jammers do work. Radar is good for just overall prescence , but anywhere running laser, you need a jammer. By the time a laser detector alarm goes off, the LEO has a reading already

The laser jammers do work. Look to Laser Interceptor and Blinder M27/M47 for the best performance.

I just purchased the Laser Interceptor and will be installing in a few weeks.

This is not an option. ;)

:iagree: I do at least 10 to 15 over wherever I go...80 is a nice round number and the 65mph highways are nice and open here.

LAWERS will trade your points for money . been there

I do not believe it is true . insurance can go up only 10% . Otherwise dump your agent.

Go to court, and reason with judge . If not local ,send him a letter.

But usually this is what happened. Cop gives you ticket for more than it was . In the court they pretend to be good and usually automaticly reduce a little.

Forget about lawer, deal with judge ,unless you are in bigger trouble.

Hey BMWX54.4I, do you know BMWX54.4 at all? No particular reason for asking, just wondering.

I dont really understand the situation you have there. But try 52 mph over the posted limit here in virginia, you will go straight to county jail. They dont listen or feel your explaination. DUI and wreckless violations here in va will result jail time no matter what. It is either 24 hours or 5 days before anything can be dis ussed or taken to court. Good luck with insurance though. I own a 09 gsxr 600, season is about to end it will sit for 4 months with insurance premiums paid. Ridiculous but well i cant wait to ride again.

Mines already sitting on the stand, just waiting for the sun to come out again. Beautiful thing about WA is that they don't require insurance, but I kept comp anyways. I always had awesome rides when we meet up in DC and ran out to Maryland.

Have 2 of them . 4.4 and 3.0 5 speed . And probably will buy one more 4.6 Why do you ask ?

No, BMWX54.4 is another member here. Forget it.

Try ticketassassin.com to fight the ticket. I have some friends who have fought and won speeding tickets by following this web site's recommendations for fighting tickets...its worth a shot!:thumbup: