There’s nothing much worse than seeing a police car’s lights in your rearview mirror while being signaled to stop. A speeding ticket with a hefty fine is undoubtedly a financial pain you cannot do without.
If you have recently received a speeding ticket, you may be wondering if this will affect the average auto insurance rates you pay with your insurance company.
The short answer is that you may not necessarily see an increase at all, although there are some circumstances in which you may see it. There are more serious crimes that insurance companies take into consideration when it comes to raising your premiums.
For example, a traffic ticket that includes convictions such as drunk and reckless driving will immediately increase your car insurance rates. CheapInsurance.com takes a closer look at how and why speeding tickets affect your car insurance premiums, and your ability to find cheap insurance.
When will my insurance company find out if I have a speeding ticket?
If you’re wondering whether you need to notify your insurance company of any speeding ticket, the good news is that you won’t need to do so.
Once your speeding ticket is filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), it will appear on your driving record. The DMV will not notify your insurance company of any tickets you may have. Insurance providers typically run vehicle reports on their clients every six to twelve months.
Once they get the report, they will update their records and at the same time, update your insurance policy. If your car insurance policy has just been renewed, any impact of a speeding ticket on your car insurance price will not occur until the next renewal.
How much will my insurance premium increase after a speeding ticket?
On average, you can expect your car insurance policy to increase by approximately 25% when you renew. This number is an estimate in the insurance industry and can depend on several factors such as:
- Your insurance company and its policies.
- Your previous driving record.
- Where a speeding ticket was issued.
- How many miles did you exceed the speed limit?
How long will a speeding ticket remain on my driving record?
A speeding ticket will generally be visible on your driving record for three years.
Your insurance rates will also be affected at the time the speeding ticket is on your record.
In other words, if you get a speeding ticket and it stays on your driving record for three years, you can expect to pay higher car insurance premiums for three years.
However, this can vary based on your condition. The reality is that insurance companies weigh violations differently. Your insurance company may waive any increase in your premiums depending on some factors:
Where do you live
Depending on the state you live in, your insurance company may not charge you higher premiums if you have a speeding ticket on your driving record.
The seriousness of the violation
If you go slightly above the speed limit — say by one to five miles — your insurance company may not see this as reckless driving and may keep your premiums the same.
Your first crime
If this is the first time you have received a speeding ticket or been convicted of a driving violation, your insurance company can waive any increase in your premium.
When you’re looking for a car insurance company, it’s a good idea to ask them how they look at driving tickets. You may be able to find a provider who will not punish you more severely if you are convicted of a minor crime.
Are there any other moving violations that affect my insurance premium?
Any major or minor moving violation that appears on your driving record will increase the likelihood of your insurance rate going up. In most cases, this depends on how your state and insurance company handles a breach.
Most states in the United States will add points to your driving record if you break the law. The number of points added varies depending on the actual violation, and will also vary depending on the state you are in. For example, Arizona will add three points to your driving record after you are convicted of a speeding ticket.
Although your insurance company will not consider points in your premium quote, it will consider what types of violations you committed, if any. This tells them whether you are a high-risk driver or not.
Here are some common traffic violations and how they can affect your car insurance rates:
Texting and driving
Some states prohibit insurance companies from considering tickets issued for texting while driving for the purpose of determining rates. However, in states where this is not prohibited, insurance companies may still treat these violations as minor violations, which means your premium may increase.
Red light tickets
If you get a red light ticket in the mail, you may face higher insurance rates. Just like with texting while driving violations, it depends on how your state handles this scenario.
Some states will completely prohibit the use of red light tickets to determine your car insurance rates, while in others it will be viewed as a simple moving violation, which will result in a price increase.
Failure to stop or give up
If you are cited for not stopping at a stop sign or failing to yield to traffic or pedestrians when you should, you may pay higher insurance rates.
Again, this depends on your state and how it handles violations. It is important to note that if you cause an accident by failing to stop or yield respectively at a sign, you will definitely see an increase in your insurance rate.
Tickets outside the country
It’s very possible that out-of-state tickets you receive will increase your insurance premiums.
However, the way your state handles a violation may result in a small rate increase or nothing at all.
DUI documents
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation and will almost always increase your insurance premium – and possibly result in the need to file an SR-22. There are some insurance companies that will go so far as to not insure you if you have a DUI.
How do I keep a ticket off my driving record?
Although specific traffic control laws vary from state to state, there are several ways you can keep a ticket off your driving record, thus saving money on your car insurance premium.
Take a defensive driving course
By attending and passing a defensive driving course, you may be able to have your ticket dismissed. This means it will never be listed on your driving record. Your local DMV will be able to provide you with a list of approved courses you can take.
Get postponed
Getting a deferral means that even though the court will find you guilty, the ticket will not be added to your driving record for a period of time. This time period is usually for one year.
If you can pass the deferment period without getting another citation, the ticket will be completely dismissed and will never appear on your driving record.
Check if you are eligible for deferment
You will only be eligible for deferral once every seven years. Note that how deferrals are handled varies from state to state. You can contact your local DMV to learn more about how deferrals work in your state.
Request a postponement form from the court
You will receive notice from the court when your case will be heard. Pay attention to your court’s requirements as some will need to apply for an adjournment seven days before the hearing date. Other courts will need five days.
Sign the deferment agreement and pay the required deferral fees
Once the deferral is approved, the court will set a payment date for you. Fees generally range between $100 and $150.
Respect the postponement agreement
By honoring the deferral agreement, you will be able to remove the traffic violation from your driving record.
Choose dilution
If it has been a long time since you last received a ticket, you can request a commutation. Although commutation will not keep the ticket off your record, it will reduce the fine you have to pay.
When it comes to mitigation, you will need to explain why the violation occurred and ask the judge for leniency. Some judges may also offer you ways to get the ticket off your driving record.
Contact the court clerk
In some jurisdictions, the court clerk has the authority to reduce your ticket to a non-moving violation. They may also be able to offer you a deferment or allow you to take a defensive driving course to prevent a ticket from appearing on your record.
Am I eligible for car insurance if I have a speeding ticket?
Having a ticket on your driver’s record may affect more than just how much you’ll pay for car insurance.
It can also affect your eligibility for auto insurance coverage with different insurance companies.
To understand your risks, insurers will evaluate your vehicle record (MVR) and complete a Comprehensive Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report. This will help the insurance company know how many accidents, tickets, and other incidents such as DUIs you have had in the past three to five years.
Each insurance company has its own underwriting guidelines, and these guidelines will determine how well your driving record is evaluated. The more tickets and accidents there are on your MVR and CLUE reports, and the more serious those accidents are, the greater the chances that insurance companies will deny you car insurance coverage.
The bottom line is that you can get insurance if you have a speeding ticket. You may need to shop around to find an insurance company that will help you. To start the process, you can simply head to the top of our page, insert your zip code, and you’ll be shown a wide range of insurance companies to choose from.
How can I save on my car insurance premiums if I have a speeding ticket?
Although your auto insurance premium may increase after you get a speeding ticket, there are still ways you can save money on your car insurance.
Here are some ways to save on your car insurance:
Shop around
Each insurance company has its own rating and underwriting system. This means that some companies will value your ticket differently than others. Comparing rates, in this case, is an excellent way to save money on car insurance.
Take a defensive driving course
You can remove a ticket from your driving record and lower your car insurance premiums by taking a defensive driving course. Be sure to talk to your insurance representative to make sure you actually qualify for a discount and ask for a list of approved courses.
Compile your insurance documents
Most insurance companies offer different types of insurance, including homeowners or renters insurance, medical insurance, and auto insurance. If you get all your insurance needs covered by one company, you may qualify for a good discount on your premiums.
Take advantage of discounts
In addition to bundling your insurance products, other discounts are often available. These include:
- Pay the installments in full.
- Sign up for paperless billing.
- Registration in the telecommunications program.
- Driving less than the average number of miles per year.
Conclusion
In short, while a speeding ticket can cause your car insurance rates to rise, the impact will vary depending on your individual circumstances. If you have a clean driving record and the violation is minor, you may see only a slight increase. However, if you have a history of tickets or the violation is serious, you may face a significant price hike. The best way to minimize damage is to keep your driving record clean and shop for insurance before renewing. By comparing quotes from different companies, you may be able to find a less expensive fare, even with a ticket on your record.
Remember, speeding tickets are not only a financial burden, but they can also jeopardize your driving privileges. Therefore, it is always best to drive safely and avoid getting tickets altogether.
This story Produced by Cheap insurance Reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.
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