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In most cases, your car insurance premium will increase following a speeding ticket. How much your premium goes up will depend on a number of factors, such as your location, driving history, and how fast you were driving.

Here’s what you need to know about car insurance and speeding tickets:

How much will my insurance go up after a speeding ticket?

There’s no definitive number or percentage that your car insurance premium will increase following a speeding ticket. The amount largely depends on your insurance provider — for instance, Progressive customers who got a speeding ticket paid on average 15% more for a six-month policy.

With that said, you should expect some type of increase. Insurance providers generally consider people who speed as higher-risk drivers.

Other factors that could affect your insurance premium include:

  • Whether it was your first offense
  • Your driving record
  • How fast you were going over the speed limit
  • Where the speeding took place
  • How long it’s been since your last moving violation

Check Out: Full Coverage Car Insurance: What Does It Mean?

Will my insurance go up due to my first speeding ticket?

That depends. If you receive your first speeding ticket, but otherwise have a clean driving record and didn’t drive too much over the speed limit, your insurance carrier may forgive the offense. This is especially true if you have no prior claims for the last several years with the same insurance provider.

Tip: Contact your insurance carrier to see if it has a forgiveness policy, and whether you qualify for it.

The more speeding tickets you have, though, the more you can expect your premium to go up. Should you continue to rack up serious traffic violations, your insurance carrier may decide not to renew your policy, or even cancel it entirely.


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When will my car insurance go up after a ticket?

If you get a speeding ticket, your insurance provider may increase your premium when it’s time to renew your policy. Most car insurance policies are either for six or 12 months.

If you’re unsure of when your policy renews and recently got a speeding ticket, it’s best to contact your insurer to find out.

How long does a ticket impact insurance rates?

The good news is that a speeding ticket won’t be on your driving record forever. In most cases, your speeding ticket that resulted in a premium increase will remain there for three to five years, depending on which state you live in.

After that time, you may see your insurance premiums go down, though it’ll ultimately depend on your insurer.

Learn More: How Long Do Car Accidents Stay on Your Record?

Ways to lower your car insurance premium after a speeding ticket

You can increase your chances of receiving a lower car insurance rate after a speeding ticket by taking the following steps:

  1. Shop around. Doing your research and getting car insurance quotes from multiple carriers could help you save money. Granted, your speeding ticket will still affect your driving record, but you may be able to get a lower rate compared to the one your current insurer is offering you.
  2. Take a defensive driving course. Your insurer may agree to lower your premium — or refrain from increasing it — if you agree to take a defensive driving course at a state-approved traffic school. These courses can help remove points from your driving record, and many can be taken online. In most cases, your insurance provider may only be willing to do this if you have no previous driving violations.
  3. Negotiate your rate. Depending on your insurance carrier, you may be able to ask for discounts for things like bundling your auto and home insurance, owning a car with certain safety features, or paying your premium in full. Contact your insurer to see if there’s any way to lower your rate.
  4. Change your coverage. If you have more than what’s required at minimum by your state, consider changing your insurance coverage to see how it’ll affect your premium. Before making any changes to your policy, it’s best to contact an insurance agent or professional to determine whether that would be the best fit for your needs.
  5. Increase your deductible. Your deductible is the amount you’ll need to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Increasing it could result in a lower insurance premium, but you’ll want to make sure you can comfortably afford the deductible before making any changes to your policy.
  6. Focus on being a safe driver. Though there’s no guarantee (and it could take several months or more), focus on becoming a better driver by practicing safe-driving habits such as driving within the speed limit, not using your cell phone, and obeying traffic signs and signals. These practices could help decrease your rate over time.

Can I contest a speeding ticket?

Yes, you can contest a speeding ticket. The rules and regulations to do so, however, will depend on the state you live in. You should be able to find instructions on the ticket copy.

In most cases, you’ll need to provide evidence that indicates the court should remove your speeding ticket. Evidence may include photos of missing or damaged speed limit signs or copies of the ticketing officer’s notes.

Otherwise, you can contact your local or county court, or wherever you were given the speeding ticket. Successfully contesting the ticket means it’ll be taken off your record, and your insurance carrier will most likely not increase your rate.

If you don’t successfully contest the ticket, you’ll need to pay the ticket or risk further penalties. Though it depends on your county or state, you should be able to pay for your ticket online, by mail, in person, or by phone.

Keep in Mind: Paying a speeding ticket is an admission of guilt. As a result, you’ll likely see a more expensive car insurance premium going forward.


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About the author
Sarah Li-Cain
Sarah Li-Cain

Sarah Li-Cain is a personal finance journalist with work featured in major outlets such as Bankrate, CNBC Select, and NextAdvisor (in partnership with Time).

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