The Best Car Insurance Companies for Drivers With a Speeding Ticket

Why You Can Trust Compare.com

At Compare.com, it’s our mission to find simple ways to help our customers save money on the things they need. While we partner with some of the companies and brands we talk about in our articles, all of our content is written and reviewed by our independent editorial team and never influenced by our partnerships. Learn about how we make money, review our editorial standards, and reference our data methodology to learn more about why you can trust Compare.com.

Written by Sarah Sharkey Edited by Quiana Darden Reviewed by Amanda Clear

Updated January 17, 2023

It’s all too easy to get a speeding ticket. Whether you didn’t notice a sudden drop in the speed limit or unconsciously increased your speed to keep pace with your favorite song, seeing the blue flashing lights in your rearview mirror often ends with a speeding ticket in your hands. 

Although getting a ticket is easy, the consequences can significantly impact your wallet. Even if you find the absolute best and most affordable auto insurance company, you’ll likely pay more than ticket-free drivers do with the same coverage. 

Let’s explore the impacts of a speeding ticket on your car insurance. Plus, how to find the best car insurance if you have speeding tickets on your record.

Key Takeaways:

• A speeding ticket usually will lead to higher car insurance costs. 
• Some states allow drivers to take a safe driving course to offset the negative impacts of a speeding ticket.
• After a speeding ticket, comparing car insurance rates across multiple insurance companies is key to locking in the best rate. 

How Having a Speeding Ticket Affects Car Insurance Premiums

When you get a speeding ticket, most insurance companies view this as an automatic risk factor. With that negative mark on your driving record, insurance companies tend to charge higher premiums to compensate for the increased risk. 

You Pay More for Insurance

If you got a speeding ticket, you might not feel like you were doing anything too risky. After all, many cars on the road aren’t following the speed limit. But according to the Institute for Road Safety Research, speeding is one of the primary signs of risky driving while behind the wheel. Since higher driving speeds lead to higher collision speeds, crashes involving high speed typically lead to more severe injuries. Plus, speeding means that drivers have less time to react to events on the road, increasing the chances of an accident occurring. 

Whenever there is a crash involving speed, it usually means the insurance company will have to pay a claim. Therefore, if you have a history of speeding tickets, you’ll see an increased insurance cost to offset this risk.

You Can Lose Safe Driving Discounts

If you had an incident-free record before you got your speeding ticket, you might have been unknowingly taking advantage of a safe driver discount. After a speeding ticket, all the savings from that discount will disappear when your policy renews.

As a driver with a previously perfect record, the blow of a speeding ticket can be costly for your budget.

You Might Be Able to Offset Higher Prices

In the wake of a speeding ticket, it’s tempting to pay the fine and move on. But in some states, you can take a defensive driving course to prevent points from hitting your license. 

For example, in Florida, drivers can take a 4-hour traffic school class to prevent points from being added to their license. If you’re a Florida driver and pass this class, insurance companies are not allowed to enforce a higher premium solely because of the incident. 

The rules for traffic school after a speeding ticket vary based on your state. If you want to pursue traffic school to avoid a spike in your insurance premiums, get in contact with your insurance company. A representative should be able to confirm whether or not this is an option for you. They can also provide you with a list of approved courses. 

For drivers with multiple speeding tickets or other traffic violations, you might not qualify to take a defensive driving course. Many states have a cap on how often you can rely on traffic school to skirt around getting points on your driving record. 

How Much is Car Insurance for Drivers With a Speeding Ticket?

The exact amount your insurance premiums will increase after a speeding ticket varies. The best estimates range from a 20% to a 25% rate increase. 

Here are 10 auto insurance companies offering the most affordable rates for drivers with a speeding ticket. 

But the reality is that you won’t know exactly how much your rates are going up until you get a quote for your unique situation. That’s because when an insurance company determines premiums for a particular driver, a speeding ticket is only one factor they consider. Other factors that impact your premiums include your location, age, and vehicle. 

Since so many factors are at play, there is no set amount your insurance will increase after a speeding ticket.

Do You Have to Tell Insurance Companies You Got a Speeding Ticket?

If you are hoping to sneak by without your insurance company finding out about the speeding ticket, think again.

Although you don’t necessarily need to notify your insurance company about the ticket, they’ll likely find out on their own. It’s in the insurance company’s best interest to stay on top of risk factors like speeding tickets. 

With that, most companies regularly run motor vehicle reports to confirm the driving record of their policyholders. When a speeding ticket shows up on your driving record at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), your insurance company will often find out about it within six months to a year. 

When you’re shopping around for a new policy we understand it’s tempting to withhold this information from potential insurers. However, most insurance companies will check your driving record to confirm these details. 

Since the company will eventually find out, a new carrier might refuse to extend you a policy after you lied on the application. Or if they are willing to issue you a policy, they’ll likely require a higher premium than the original quote. Ultimately, it’s easiest to just come clean about a speeding ticket if you are looking for a new insurance policy. 

What are the Best Car Insurance Companies for Drivers With a Speeding Ticket?

Every insurance company considers many factors when determining your car insurance rates. But each company has a different way of interpreting the risk factors tied to your profile. With that, you’ll likely find a range of premium prices from other insurance companies. 

Here’s a look at some of the best car insurance companies for drivers with a speeding ticket on their driving record:

GEICO

GEICO might be best known for its clever gecko that stars in TV commercials. But this major insurance company is a solid option for drivers with a speeding ticket on their record. 

You’ll find a wide range of discount opportunities that can offset higher costs. A few include a homeowner’s insurance bundling discount, car safety features discount, anti-theft device discount, and paperless billing discount. 

The discount options might be just what you need to lock in a reasonable premium after a speeding ticket. GEICO has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, 

Progressive

For those with a clean driving record, Progressive offers some of the best rates on the market. But even drivers with speeding tickets may find relatively low premiums.

If you are willing to commit to practicing safe driving behaviors, the Progressive Snapshot app could open the door to a discount. Essentially, this app will track your driving habits. If you stay under the speed limit, among other things, a discount might be in the cards. 

Dairyland

Although Dairyland doesn’t have a large presence as a well-known insurer, it provides some of the best rates for high-risk drivers. If you have a recent speeding ticket, the company’s willingness to work with drivers with a spectrum of driving infractions will work in your favor. 

In addition to relatively cheap car insurance, you’ll have access to a 24/7 policyholder support line. If you speak Spanish, it also has a Spanish-language online portal available .

Dairyland has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. 

SafeAuto

SafeAuto offers policies that meet the minimum coverage requirements. If you live in one of the 19 states SafeAuto covers, you’ll likely find a relatively cheap option through the insurer. 

Opting for minimum coverage is often a way to keep your car insurance premiums low. However, minimum coverage offers less protection for your wallet. Make sure to explore how much car insurance you need before getting the minimum coverage. 

SafeAuto has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. 

The General

The General is another car insurance company that works with high-risk drivers. For those with speeding tickets on their record, The General might offer the coverage level you need at a price point you can manage. 

When working with The General, you should expect a streamlined experience due to the emphasis on customer convenience. Plus, you’ll find several discounts available, like paid-in-full discounts and driving training discounts. 

The General has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. 

How Can Drivers With a Speeding Ticket Save on Their Insurance Policy

After getting a speeding ticket, it’s natural to seek ways to lower your car insurance costs. Although you’ll likely pay more for car insurance than you used to, that doesn’t mean you should overpay for the insurance policy you need. 

Here’s how you can save on insurance after a speeding ticket. 

Shop around

Every insurance company evaluates risk factors slightly differently. With different methodologies, you’ll likely get a separate quote from every insurer you talk to. As a driver, the best way to lock in savings is to shop around. 

You can opt for the most affordable solution when you get quotes from multiple insurance companies. Before diving into the different car insurance policies, nail down the best coverage option for your situation. You’ll want to compare apples to apples, so determine what coverage levels you want to get before starting your search. 

The good news is that it is easy to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies through Compare.com. Want to explore your options? Get started today. 

Look for Discounts

Many car insurance companies offer a slew of discounts. If you are looking for ways to cut costs, it won’t hurt to see which discounts you qualify for. 

A few of the most common car insurance discount options include:

• Multi-car discount: If you have multiple vehicles in your household, insuring them on one policy can lead to savings. 
• Payment discounts: Some insurance companies offer discounts for paying upfront or signing up for automatic monthly payments. 
• Vehicle safety discounts: The safety features on your vehicle can lead to significant savings. 
• Defensive driving course discounts: As we mentioned, taking a defensive driving course could lead to a discount on your insurance premium. 

There’s a good chance you qualify for at least one type of discount. If you are eligible for one of these options, it could significantly impact your premium rates. 

Improve Your Credit Score

In some states, car insurance companies can consider your credit score when determining rates. Typically, drivers with good credit scores are rewarded with a lower rate. In contrast, drivers with bad credit often see higher rates. 

Improving your credit score could offset some of the costs if you get a speeding ticket. 

FAQs About Auto Insurance for Drivers With a Speeding Ticket

What is the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket?

The company offering the cheapest rates after a speeding ticket will vary based on your unique situation. Each insurance company has a different method of evaluating your application. With that, the only way to find the cheapest car insurance is to shop around after a speeding ticket. 

It’s easy to get quotes from multiple car insurance companies through Compare.com. 

How long will speeding ticket points stay on your driving record?

A speeding ticket often puts points on your record. Insurance companies view drivers with a higher number of points as risky drivers. The amount of time that points stick on your driving record varies based on the state where you live. In some states, the points can remain on your driver’s license for five years. 

Can you skip car insurance after a speeding ticket?

A speeding ticket can push your car insurance premiums higher. Although it’s tempting to cut the cost of car insurance out of your budget altogether, that’s not an option. It’s illegal to drive without the minimum liability insurance coverage required by your state.

Sarah Sharkey Auto Insurance Writer

Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer and auto insurance who loves diving into the details to help readers make savvy life choices. She has written for numerous publications, including Business Insider, SmartAsset, and Rocket Mortgage.