Yes, a speeding ticket usually raises your insurance rates
A speeding ticket will likely increase what you pay for car insurance, though the size of the increase depends on your insurer, your driving history, and how fast you were going. Most insurance companies check your driving record when you renew your policy, and a ticket appears there. Some insurers raise rates when ready after a ticket is reported; others wait until your next renewal date.
The increase is not automatic or the same everywhere. One company might raise your rate by 10 percent after a speeding ticket, while another raises it by 25 percent. A ticket for going 5 miles over the limit may cost you less than one for going 20 miles over. The best way to know what your own insurer will do is to call them and ask what impact this specific ticket will have on your rate.
Key Takeaways
- Insurance companies see speeding tickets on your driving record and typically raise rates at renewal, though the amount varies by company and how fast you were going.
- A ticket usually stays on your driving record for three to five years, meaning your rates may stay higher for that entire period.
- You can ask your insurer directly what the rate increase will be before you decide whether to pay the ticket or fight it in court.
- Some states allow you to take a defensive driving course to remove the ticket from your record, which prevents the insurance increase.
- Shopping for a new insurance policy after a ticket may save you money, because different companies penalize speeding differently.
How insurance companies find out about your ticket
When you get a speeding ticket, the officer writes it into a system that feeds into your driving record. Your driving record is maintained by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent agency), and it is public information that insurance companies can see.
Insurance companies do not monitor you in real time. Instead, they check your driving record when you first buy a policy, and again when you renew. If a ticket was issued between your last renewal and your next one, your insurer will see it at renewal time. Some insurers also run periodic checks during the policy year, so a ticket might be discovered before renewal.
If you pay the ticket or plead guilty, it stays on your record. If you fight the ticket in court and win, it does not appear on your record, and your insurer will not see it. This is one reason some people choose to contest a ticket — not because they think they can win, but because the cost of fighting it is less than years of higher insurance rates.
How much your rate will increase
There is no fixed percentage. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety research shows that rates typically go up somewhere between 10 and 40 percent after a speeding ticket, but your actual increase depends on your insurer's own pricing model, your location, and the details of the ticket.
A ticket for going 10 miles over the speed limit in a residential zone may be treated differently than one for going 30 miles over on a highway. Some insurers distinguish between minor speeding and reckless speeding; others do not. A few insurers have forgiveness programs that waive the first ticket in a certain period, though these are less common than they used to be.
The only way to know what you will pay is to contact your insurer and describe the ticket. Give them the speed limit, the speed you were clocked at, and the location. Ask them to estimate the rate increase. If the number is high, you can then decide whether it makes sense to fight the ticket in court or take a defensive driving course if your state allows it.
How long a ticket affects your insurance
A speeding ticket typically stays on your driving record for three to five years, depending on your state. During that time, your insurance rate will likely remain higher than it would have been without the ticket. After the ticket falls off your record, your rate should return to what it would have been, though some insurers may still remember it in their internal systems.
This means a single ticket can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over several years. If you were quoted a 20 percent rate increase on a $1,200 annual policy, that is $240 extra per year. Over five years, that adds up. This is why some people find it worth their time and money to fight the ticket or take a defensive driving course.
Defensive driving courses and ticket removal
Many states allow you to take a defensive driving course (also called traffic school) to have a ticket removed from your record. The rules vary by state and sometimes by county. Some states let you do this once every three years; others allow it once per year. Some require the ticket to be for a minor violation; others allow it for any moving violation.
If you complete an approved course, you can ask the court to dismiss the ticket. Once dismissed, it no longer appears on your driving record, and your insurance company will not see it. The course usually costs between $20 and $100, and takes a few hours to a full day depending on whether you do it online or in person. This cost is often much less than years of higher insurance rates.
Not every state or county offers this option, and not every ticket qualifies. Call the court that issued your ticket and ask whether you can take a course to have it dismissed. If you can, ask which courses are approved — you must take one on the approved list for the dismissal to count.
What happens if you do not pay the ticket
If you ignore a speeding ticket and do not pay it or show up in court, the ticket will still appear on your driving record. Your insurance company will see it, and your rates will go up just as they would if you had paid it. You will also face additional consequences: the court may issue a warrant for your arrest, suspend your driver's license, or report the debt to a collection agency.
Ignoring a ticket does not make it go away. It only makes the situation worse. If you cannot afford to pay it, contact the court and ask about payment plans or fee waivers. If you think the ticket was issued unfairly, you can contest it in court. But doing nothing is the most expensive option.
Shopping for insurance after a ticket
After you get a speeding ticket, your current insurer will raise your rate at renewal. But different insurance companies price speeding tickets differently. One company might raise your rate by 15 percent; another might raise it by 30 percent for the same ticket. This means you may save money by switching to a different insurer, even though you have a ticket on your record.
Get quotes from at least three different companies before you renew. Tell each one about the ticket and ask for a rate based on your full driving history. Compare the total cost, not just the base rate. Sometimes a company with a higher base rate will penalize the ticket less, making the total cheaper. You can switch insurers at any time, not just at renewal, though you may pay an early cancellation fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my insurance go up if I pay the ticket versus fighting it in court?
If you pay the ticket or plead guilty, it stays on your record and your insurance will go up. If you fight it in court and the ticket is dismissed, it does not appear on your record and your insurance will not be affected. If you fight it and lose, the ticket stays on your record just as if you had paid it.
Can I take a defensive driving course if I already got a ticket?
Yes, in most states. You can take the course after you receive the ticket and ask the court to dismiss it. The course must be approved by your state or county. Call the court that issued the ticket and ask which courses may have access to.
How much will my rate go up?
It depends on your insurer, your location, and how fast you were going. Increases typically range from 10 to 40 percent, but your company may be outside that range. Call your insurer and ask them to estimate the increase for your specific ticket before you decide what to do.
Does a speeding ticket affect my insurance if I was not the one driving?
If someone else was driving your car when they got the ticket, the ticket still appears on your vehicle's record, not the driver's personal record. Your insurance may still go up because the ticket is tied to your car. The driver's personal insurance is not affected.
Will the ticket eventually stop affecting my insurance?
Yes. Once the ticket falls off your driving record — usually after three to five years depending on your state — your insurer should no longer use it to calculate your rate. After that point, your rate should return to what it would have been without the ticket.