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In most cases, a speeding ticket will increase your car insurance rates, but how much it goes up depends on several factors, including the insurance company you choose.

Among major carriers analyzed by Insure.com, Erie Insurance offers the cheapest car insurance for those with a recent speeding violation. Here are the best cheap car insurance companies for speeding tickets.

  • Erie Insurance
  • Nationwide
  • State Farm
  • Auto-Owners

“Every insurance company has a different rating system and matrix for violations and each type of violation will cause varying rate increases. In addition, if you fall into a less desirable tier (due to credit score and other factors) with your auto insurance company, a ticket on your record will probably cause your rates to go up more than someone who is in a preferred tier,” says Charlotte Burr, Agency Co-owner, AZ InsuranceTeam in Tempe.

Cheap car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

Erie Insurance has the cheapest car insurance costs for drivers with a speeding ticket on their record, at about $1,530 a year, on average. Nationwide and State Farm also offer affordable average annual insurance premiums at $1,976 and $1,981, respectively. 

See the table below to know how much each insurance company charges for drivers with speeding tickets. 

CompanyRate after speeding ticket 
USAA$1,519
Erie Insurance$1,530
Nationwide$1,976
State Farm$1,981
Auto-Owners$2,044
Geico$2,048
American Family$2,210
Travelers$2,630
Progressive$2,650
Mercury$2,823
Allstate$2,971
Auto Club Entreprises$3,304
Kemper$3,439
Farmers$3,614

Note: USAA has the cheapest car insurance rates for those in the military, veterans, and their families with speeding tickets. 

Shopping around for quotes from multiple providers can help you compare rates and find the most affordable coverage. Ultimately, it’s important to be transparent about your driving history and explore all options to find the best car insurance policy that fits your needs and budget.

Average annual car insurance premiums with a speeding ticket 

Finding affordable car insurance with a speeding ticket on your driving record may take some extra work, but it’s still very possible. Auto insurance companies use your driving history to determine the level of risk you pose as a driver, and a speeding ticket can indicate that you are more likely to get into an accident.

A single speeding ticket on your driving record can increase your rates by $578 a year. But the extent to which your insurance rates increase following a speeding ticket vary depending on your insurer and the state you live in.

Check out the table below to understand how much a speeding ticket can raise your car insurance rate by insurance company.

Company Average annual rateAnnual rate after speeding ticket Percent increaseDollar increase
USAA$1,272$1,51919%$247
Erie$1,335$1,53015%$195
Nationwide$1,523$1,97630%$453
State Farm$1,672$1,98118%$308
Auto-Owners$1,651$2,04424%$393
Geico$1,352$2,04851%$696
American Family$1,738$2,21027%$472
Travelers$1,882$2,63040%$747
Progressive$1,933$2,65037%$716
Mercury$2,092$2,82335%$731
Allstate$2,513$2,97118%$457
Auto Club Entreprises$2,313$3,30443%$991
Kemper$2,604$3,43932%$835
Farmers$2,740$3,61432%$874

How much a speeding ticket increases your car insurance rates

A speeding ticket can increase insurance premiums by about 30%, on average. The amount of the increase depends on several factors, such as the severity of the offense, the driver’s age, driving experience and previous driving record. 

Insurance rates are based on risk assessment and speeding tickets are an indication of higher risk. When a driver gets a speeding ticket, it signals to the insurance company that they may be more likely to cause an accident in the future. As a result, the insurance company may charge higher premiums to compensate for the increased risk. 

How much does insurance go up after a speeding ticket in my state?

Insure.com data shows that Hawaii drivers pay the biggest penalty for a speeding ticket, with an average increase of 53%. North Carolina follows, with drivers seeing a 47% increase. On the other end of the spectrum is Connecticut, where the jump is 14% for the average driver.

In addition to your insurance company, where you live also plays a role in determining how much your car insurance premium increases from a speeding ticket. 

If you manage to get dinged twice in three years for speeding — or any other ticket, for that matter — there is a good chance your rates will be headed up dramatically. Insurers often rate repeat offenders as high-risk drivers, which definitely results in higher rates.

Here’s how much car insurance rates increase on average after a speeding ticket for 16 to 29 miles per hour over the limit.

State Average annual rate Annual rate after speeding ticket Percent increase Dollar increase
Alaska$1,286$1,64428%$358
Alabama$1,503$1,88726%$384
Arkansas$1,475$1,88928%$414
Arizona$1,665$2,24135%$576
California$2,206$3,15143%$945
Colorado$1,970$2,39021%$420
Connecticut$1,461$1,65814%$197
Washington D.C.$1,909$2,28119%$372
Delaware$1,730$2,16025%$430
Florida$2,927$3,61824%$690
Georgia$1,597$2,02427%$427
Hawaii$1,309$1,99753%$689
Iowa$1,241$1,54525%$304
Idaho$1,015$1,22721%$212
Illinois$1,368$1,83734%$469
Indiana$1,279$1,78339%$504
Kansas$1,488$1,83924%$352
Kentucky$1,857$2,31425%$458
Louisiana$3,121$4,31838%$1,197
Massachusetts$1,760$2,19725%$436
Maryland$1,981$2,57330%$592
Maine$1,072$1,33424%$262
Michigan$4,013$5,41935%$1,406
Minnesota$1,699$2,20029%$501
Missouri$2,403$2,96824%$565
Mississippi$1,407$1,72423%$317
Montana$1,766$2,08518%$320
North Carolina$1,396$2,05147%$654
North Dakota$1,239$1,47219%$233
Nebraska$1,861$2,21719%$357
New Hampshire$949$1,20026%$251
New Jersey$2,228$2,78825%$560
New Mexico$1,686$2,03221%$346
Nevada$2,371$3,05529%$684
New York$1,822$2,17019%$348
Ohio$1,110$1,42929%$319
Oklahoma$1,836$2,32026%$485
Oregon$1,461$1,93332%$473
Pennsylvania$1,297$1,48414%$187
Rhode Island$1,793$2,34731%$554
South Carolina$1,804$2,22824%$424
South Dakota$1,585$2,04629%$461
Tennessee$1,308$1,67728%$370
Texas$1,969$2,46125%$492
Utah$1,582$1,96824%$386
Virginia$1,230$1,64234%$412
Vermont$1,081$1,31722%$236
Washington$1,325$1,89443%$569
Wisconsin$1,587$2,21039%$623
West Virginia$1,413$1,78126%$368
Wyoming$1,812$2,37131%$559

How to save on car insurance after a speeding ticket, DUI, or other citation

While a speeding ticket will most likely boost your insurance costs, there are a few things you can do to keep your premium affordable. Here are a few tips:

  • Fight the ticket: “If you receive a speeding ticket, consult an attorney. In most states, a traffic ticket attorney can have a moving violation ticket reduced to a non-moving incident. Keeping points off your driving record is the key to maintaining lower rates,” says John Espenschied with Insurance Brokers Group. If you can get the ticket dismissed, reduced, or deferred, it may not hit your DMV, and you may be able to keep your safe-driver discount.
  • Shop around: Shopping your coverage around is one of the best ways to lower your premium. Insurance companies rate risk differently, which can lead to big differences in premiums. Always be sure you are comparing apples to apples when it comes to coverage levels and deductibles.
  • Take a defensive driving course: In many states, if you take a defensive driving course, it may keep the ticket off of your record. Check with your insurer to see if they offer this discount and for a list of approved courses.
  • Raise your deductible: Boosting your deductible will lower your premium. If you can afford to double your deductible, you should see a significant reduction in your premium. However, always choose a deductible that you can easily afford if you have to make a claim.
  • Look for discounts: Insurers offer a variety of discounts, and they will all help lower your premium. Make sure you are getting all of the discounts you are entitled to receive.

Best discounts for drivers with tickets

If you have received a traffic ticket or multiple tickets, you may see an increase in your car insurance premiums. However, there are still some discounts available that you may be eligible for. Here are some of the best car insurance discounts for drivers with tickets:

  • Defensive driving course: Completing a defensive driving course can show your insurance company that you are taking steps to become a safer driver and may help you earn a discount on your premiums.
  • Safe driver: If you haven’t filed an insurance claim in the last several years, you can save money on your policy.
  • Pay in full: Paying your entire annual premium upfront may also lead to a discount, as it eliminates the need for the insurance company to manage monthly payments.
  • Autopay: Many insurance companies offer discounts to customers who enroll in automatic payment plans, as it reduces the risk of missed or late payments.
  • Bundling discount: You may be eligible for a bundling discount if you have multiple insurance policies with the same company, such as home and auto insurance.

It’s important to note that not all insurance companies offer these discounts, and the availability and amount of discounts can vary by state and by company. It’s a good idea to shop around and compare quotes from different insurance providers to find the best deal for your specific situation.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a speeding ticket stay on my record?

How long a speeding ticket stays on your record varies by state and the insurance company. When it comes to your DMV record, most tickets, at least minor ones, fall off your record in about three years. More serious offenses, such as a DUI, stay on your record much longer.

Is my DMV record different than my insurance record?

Your DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) and insurance records are separate and distinct.

DMV records are maintained by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. It contains information about your driving history, such as your license status, traffic violations, accidents, and other driving-related incidents. Your state uses this record to determine your driving eligibility and enforce traffic laws.

On the other hand, your insurance company maintains your insurance record and contains information about your insurance policy, including your coverage limits, deductibles, claims history, and premium payments. This record is used by your insurance company to determine your risk level and to calculate your insurance premiums.

While there may be some overlap between your DMV record and your insurance record — such as if you have a history of traffic violations or accidents — they are not the same thing and are maintained by different entities for different purposes.

How do insurance companies find out about tickets?

Car insurance companies have various ways of finding out about tickets that you may have received. One of the most common methods is through motor vehicle records, which they can obtain from your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. These records contain details of your driving history, including any traffic violations or tickets you’ve received. 

Methodology 

Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to field rates for drivers with one or multiple speeding tickets on their driving records. The insurance rates are based on the profile of a 40-year-old driver carrying a full coverage policy with limits 100/300/100. 

To analyze the rates we have compared 50,00,736 insurance quotes of 27 company groups across 548 cities and 1,467 ZIP codes in the U.S.

Sources:

Allstate. “Got a speeding ticket. Will it affect my insurance?” Accessed May 2023.

Progressive. “Do speeding or parking tickets affect insurance rates?” Accessed May 2023.

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Shivani Gite
Contributing Writer

 
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Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions.