Getting a speeding ticket can be an annoying and expensive experience. Not only do you have to pay the fine, but it can also lead to negative consequences with your auto insurance provider. Speeding violations on your driving record may cause your insurance rates to increase significantly. Just how much your insurance goes up after a speeding ticket depends on several factors.
How insurance companies view speeding tickets
In general, insurance companies don’t like speeding tickets. To them, it’s an indication that you’re a riskier driver. Data shows that speeding drivers cause more accidents, so you’re more likely to file a claim after getting a ticket. As a result, your auto insurer will view you as more of a liability and will raise your rates.
Some insurance companies penalize speeding tickets more than others. On average, a single speeding ticket can raise your insurance rates by 15% to 30% in California. However, some insurers will spike your premiums by 40% or more. They have strict underwriting guidelines and little tolerance for driving violations.
Major factors that determine rate increases
While a speeding ticket generally results in a rate hike, several key factors determine just how much your insurance premiums go up.
1. Number of miles over the limit
The number of miles per hour over the posted speed limit makes a big difference. Insurance companies view higher speeding citations as riskier. For example, they would consider driving 15 mph over less risky than driving 25 mph over the limit. The faster you were driving, the more your insurer will increase your rates.
2. Overall driving record
Drivers with clean records before a speeding ticket can expect smaller rate hikes. Those with prior moving violations like DUIs or at-fault accidents will face steeper penalties. Some insurance companies will even drop drivers after multiple major violations.
3. Location and type of road
Tickets for speeding on highways generally result in lower increases than speeding in neighborhoods or school zones. Likewise, insurers classify rural highways as less risky than urban interstates. The location and type of road also factor into the insurance penalty.
4. Insurance company guidelines
Each insurer uses its own proprietary formulas to determine premiums based on risk factors like speeding tickets. Some companies penalize speeders more aggressively than others. Understanding your insurance provider’s guidelines helps set expectations for rate hikes.
5. State regulations
California has strict rules restricting how much insurers can raise rates for speeding tickets and other violations. They prevent extreme penalties. However, regulations still allow significant increases within defined limits.
How long a ticket affects your rates
Speeding tickets typically impact your rates for 3 to 5 years from the conviction date. Insurers regularly pull motor vehicle records to monitor new violations. The spike in your premiums will slowly decrease over time as the ticket ages.
California law prevents insurers from considering violations older than 3 years when determining rates. However, speeding tickets actually stay on your DMV record for longer. As a result, insurers can still consider a 3-year old ticket when pricing your policy.
The best way to limit the impact is to maintain a clean driving record otherwise. Having another speeding ticket or at-fault accident restarts the clock. Taking a defensive driving course shows insurers you’re trying to improve as a driver.
Ways to reduce the insurance impact
While speeding tickets drive up your rates in California, there are steps you can take to minimize the pain to your wallet:
- Avoid additional violations – Multiple tickets on your record lead to exponentially higher premiums.
- Increase deductibles – This lowers the monthly cost of coverage.
- Drop extra coverage – Eliminating things like rental reimbursement saves on premiums.
- Raise credit score – Insurers use credit-based insurance scores to set rates.
- Shop for better deals – Comparing quotes from insurers can uncover lower priced policies.
- Leverage discounts – Taking defensive driving courses or bundling policies qualify for discounts.
The single best way to offset the increase is simply waiting for the ticket to fall off your record. As the violation ages, it has less impact on your rates. Maintaining clean driving can help accelerate premiums dropping back down.
How traffic schools help
Completing traffic school or defensive driving courses demonstrates to insurers you’re improving as a driver. In some cases, they will reduce the rate increase by a few percentage points. However, they still penalize you overall for the speeding ticket itself.
The main benefit of traffic school is preventing DMV points on your license in California. Having points can lead to suspensions or other penalties. Traffic school essentially hides the violation from your public driving record to keep points off your license.
When shopping for quotes, make sure to compare
The best way to find the lowest cost insurance after a speeding ticket is to compare quotes from different providers. Rates can vary drastically between insurers, so it pays to shop around and find the best deal.
Be sure to get quotes that accurately reflect your complete driving profile. Provide details on your ticket, past violations and full information to each insurer. This ensures the most accurate rates for comparison.
Numerous online insurance quote tools make it fast and easy to rate shop. Within minutes you can compare personalized quotes from top insurers side-by-side.
How can I check if a ticket has been reported?
You can verify if a speeding ticket is on your DMV record in a few ways:
- Order a copy of your driving record from the DMV
- Check your record online through the DMV website
- Review the latest copy of your motor vehicle report provided by insurance companies
- Login to court websites to view citation records and status
Tickets can take a bit of time to show up in the system. If a recent ticket doesn’t appear yet, check back after a couple of weeks.
Strategies to fight a speeding ticket
There are steps you can take to potentially beat a speeding ticket and avoid increased insurance rates:
- Submit a not guilty plea and request a hearing
- Argue the officer made an error like holding the radar gun incorrectly
- Provide evidence the speed limit or speed radar was inaccurate
- Submit proof you weren’t driving the vehicle when ticketed
- Claim medical emergency or other extenuating circumstances
Hiring a traffic ticket attorney greatly improves your chances of dismissal or reduction. While fees apply, having the violation removed can avoid hundreds in insurance hikes.
Can I reduce the offense or penalty?
There are a few options that may help reduce the speeding offense or minimize the fine amount:
- Request traffic school to prevent DMV points and insurance rate increase.
- Ask the judge for a reduced charge like unsafe driving instead of speeding.
- Provide proof of financial hardship to qualify for lowered fines.
- Negotiate with the prosecutor for plea deals to lesser infractions.
Early payment discounts are also available in some jurisdictions for quickly paying the ticket fine. While these tactics minimize the immediate penalty, insurers still consider the violation when setting premiums.
Will my auto insurance get cancelled?
For a single speeding ticket, most insurance companies won’t immediately cancel your policy. However, they will significantly raise your rates upon renewal.
In some cases though, an insurer may decide to non-renew your policy and cancel coverage due to the new risk:
- Multiple recent speeding tickets or serious violations like reckless driving.
- A very poor overall driving record and history of claims.
- High number of miles driven annually.
- Already paying extremely high premiums before the ticket.
Cancellations happen most frequently with non-standard, high-risk insurers. Mainstream companies are less likely to drop you for one speeding violation.
What to do if your insurance is cancelled
If your provider does cancel your policy, here are some things you can do:
- Shop for quotes from high-risk insurers that cater to drivers with violations.
- See if a family member’s policy can cover you temporarily.
- Ask about policy reinstatements if you take defensive driving classes.
- Provide documentation explaining any special circumstances around the ticket.
- Improve your driving record and reapply after some time has passed.
Having limited options, you may need to accept higher rates from an alternate insurer until your record improves. But maintaining clean driving can bring rates back down over time.
Conclusion
Speeding tickets lead to significantly higher car insurance rates in California. The increase varies by insurer based on factors like excess speed and prior violations. While traffic schools and defensive driving can help a little, a clean record is the best way to minimize impacts.
Comparing quotes from multiple providers ensures you find the lowest rate possible after a ticket. Be sure to check rates again once the violation falls off your driving record. Maintaining clean driving helps premiums gradually drop back down over time.