How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Auto Insurance

Did you know that getting ticketed for speeding—even if there’s no accident—can have an impact on your insurance rates? It varies by state, of course, so if you’re looking for auto insurance quotes in Goodlettsville TN it’s going to be a bit different than if you’re searching in Charlottesville VA, or Baltimore MD, etc. Speaking broadly, though, there is an effect, and today, we’re going to explore just what speeding tickets can do to your premiums.

First, it’s important to note that just one speeding ticket might not be a big deal—at least as far as your insurance rates are concerned. Multiple speeding tickets within a few years’ time, though? That’s probably going to see a rate hike, and the exact amounts are going to vary based upon the state you live in, your auto insurance provider, other parts of your driving record/insurance history, and, in some cases, how fast you were speeding.

According to a comparison from NerdWallet, “car insurance typically goes up about 25% after a speeding ticket,” and, on average, “a driver convicted of speeding will pay $2,043 a year for full coverage insurance — $413 more than a driver with a clean record.”

The state with the biggest average increases? Michigan, where a driver with speeding offenses can expect to pay around $1,104 more than one with a clean record. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the average increase in New Hampshire is a mere $123—so there’s quite a bit of variance depending on where you live, and that’s before factoring in other determinators.

Another variable to keep in mind is how long the speeding offense is going to affect your rates. Again, different states have different standards, but, in most cases, those speeding tickets are going to stay on your driving record and make an impact on your rates for three to five years.

And, here’s something else that you might not have known: speeding violations aren’t the only ticketable offenses that might go on your record and affect your rates. Pretty much any moving violation that puts your driving history in a negative light can have a subtle impact:

• Texting and driving: Not only is this form of distracted driving extremely dangerous, in the states where your insurance company can factor this kind of offense into your rate, it can lead to a jump in your premiums. In some states, though, insurers can’t use this violation against you, so it wouldn’t affect you there.
• Red-light tickets: Some states have those red-light cameras, the ones that will see you served with a ticket via the mail should you run a light. Again, as with texting and driving, there are some states that will allow insurance companies to factor it into your rates, and others that ban the practice, so you won’t see rate increases there.
• Failure to stop: Even rolling through a stop sign or not yielding when you’re supposed to—if either earns you a citation from an officer—can impact your rates in states where insurance companies are allowed to use it as a factor.

So, best policy? Drive safely, follow the rules, and avoid any moves that may negatively impact your driving record and auto insurance rates.