You were running a little late, the road was open and then you saw the lights in your mirror. Now you are holding a ticket and wondering how much it will cost, not just today, but every month for the next few years. It is a fair worry, because the fine is often the smaller part of the bill.
The short answer
In most cases a speeding ticket can affect your car insurance for about three years, and sometimes up to five. The exact period depends on your state, your insurer and how serious the violation was. The effect is usually felt at your next renewal, or when you shop for a new policy, since that is when your driving record is checked.
Why insurers care
Insurers use your motor vehicle record to estimate how likely you are to make a claim. Research from groups such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that speeding is a factor in a large share of fatal crashes, and drivers with violations tend to have more claims on average. A ticket moves you into a higher-risk group, and the price goes up to match.
What affects how much you pay
- How fast you were going. A few miles over the limit is treated very differently from 20 or more. Many insurers treat large overages, or any speeding in a school or work zone, as major violations.
- Your record. A first ticket after years of clean driving usually costs less than your third in a few years.
- Your insurer. Some companies are more forgiving than others, and some offer a first-ticket or accident forgiveness program.
- Your state. Points systems and rules about what insurers may consider differ across the country.
- Your age and vehicle. Younger drivers and drivers of high-performance cars often see larger increases.
Points are not the same as insurance rates
Many people mix these up. Points are added to your driving record by the state DMV, and enough of them can lead to a license suspension. Insurance companies run their own calculations. They may look at the violation itself, not the points, and each company weighs it differently. That is why two drivers with the same ticket can see different changes.
What you can do right after the ticket
- Read the ticket carefully and check the deadline for responding. Missing it can create bigger problems.
- Find out your options. Depending on your state and the offence, you may be able to contest the ticket, ask for a reduced charge or attend traffic school.
- If traffic school or a defensive driving course is allowed, ask whether it keeps the ticket off your record or earns a discount. Rules vary, and a course may only help once every few years.
- Consider speaking to a local traffic attorney, particularly for a high-speed ticket or if your license is at risk. For some drivers the cost is less than the long-term increase in premiums.
What to do about your insurance
Do not assume your current company will give you the best price after a ticket. Because insurers weigh violations differently, the same record can lead to very different quotes. Compare several companies, and give each the same information so the quotes are fair. Our guide on how to compare car insurance quotes shows how to do this without getting overwhelmed.
You can also look at ways to offset the increase. Review available discounts, consider a higher deductible if you can afford it and ask whether a telematics program would suit your driving. Our article on ways to lower your car insurance premium has more ideas.
Is it worth fighting the ticket?
It depends on the offence and the cost. If a ticket would add several hundred dollars to your insurance over three years, then paying a lawyer or attending court may be cheaper than simply paying the fine. Pleading guilty is usually treated as an admission, and it goes on your record. Before you decide, find out what your state allows, such as deferred adjudication or a reduced charge, and what each choice would do to your record.
What if you have several tickets?
Multiple tickets, or a serious violation such as reckless driving or driving under the influence, can move you into non-standard insurance, where prices are higher and coverage choices are narrower. Some states also require an SR-22 filing after certain offences. If this is you, take heart: the effect fades over time, and a clean record will bring your rates down. Meanwhile, our guide to non standard auto insurance explains how it works.
How to bring your rates back down
The best remedy is time and careful driving. Each year without a new ticket or claim makes you look less risky, and when the ticket ages off your record, ask your insurer to re-rate you. If they do not, shop around. It is also worth checking your own motor vehicle record once in a while, since mistakes can happen, and an error can cost you for years.
A ticket is annoying, but it is not the end of affordable insurance. Take it seriously, drive with care and look at your choices. When you are ready, you can compare quotes to see how different companies price your record.
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This article is for general information only and is not insurance, legal or financial advice. Coverage, rules and prices vary by insurer and state.