Cheap Car Insurance Companies for Drivers with Speeding Tickets

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Written by J.J. Starr Edited by Quiana Darden Reviewed by Amanda Clear

Updated January 31, 2023

Speeding tickets may seem minor, but they can increase your car insurance rates by as much as 30 percent! And those price hikes can last for up to five years. Though traffic violations of all kinds raise rates, savvy drivers know they can always find a deal. This article shows you how to find the best deal on your auto insurance even if you don’t have a clean driving record.

We share the most valuable information about insurers that provide low rates to drivers with a bit of a lead foot. We also give you our best insider tips for lowering your rates no matter where you purchase your policy. 

Key Takeaways

• Speeding tickets typically increase car insurance rates by 20 to 30 percent for three to five years. But this fluctuates depending on the driver’s age, record, and state of residence. 
• According to our research, Erie Insurance, Farm Bureau Financial Services, and American Family Insurance were the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with speeding tickets. 
• The auto insurance company with the cheapest average rates won’t necessarily be the most affordable option for every driver. That’s why comparing quotes from several insurance providers before buying a policy is essential. 
• Drivers with speeding tickets should compare rates regularly to take advantage of the continual flux in car insurance rates. 

Cheap Car Insurance Companies When You Have a Speeding Ticket

The average premiums for drivers with a speeding ticket can be difficult to swallow. But we researched which insurers regularly provide the cheapest rates to drivers caught speeding. The following average annual premiums focus on a policy for one driver with a single speeding ticket who drives a 2016 Honda Accord. 

Erie Insurance 

Average Annual Premium: $1,644 

• Pros: High customer satisfaction ratings, local-agent model, generally affordable rates

• Cons: Underdeveloped website and mobile app. Availability is limited to the eastern and midwestern U.S. only.

• Best for: Drivers who want to bundle home and auto insurance. 

According to J.D. Power, Erie Insurance is one of the highest-rated providers in the nation, both in terms of customer service and claims handling. It also regularly offers the lowest rates to drivers in its service area. With a robust menu of coverage options and insurance products, Erie can provide opportunities for a wide range of needs. 

As an Erie policyholder, you’ll have access to dozens of discount programs, including up to 25 percent off for bundling your insurance products (auto, home, renter’s, and so on). In addition to basic coverage options, it offers accident forgiveness, Rate Lock®, and roadside assistance. 

But Erie needs to catch up with modern conveniences like a more functional website and app. The agent model does a good job making up for this, as your local agent can help you manage your account. But for people who want the option of 100% self-service, Erie can’t provide it. 

Further, the company operates in just 12 states— Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin— plus the District of Columbia.

Farm Bureau Financial Services 

Average Annual Premium: $1,754

• Pros: Very affordable rates, highly regarded customer service team. 

• Cons: Limited coverage options, cost, and quality can differ by service area, and it charges somewhat higher rates for home insurance. 

• Best for: People who prefer working with an assigned agent.

Farm Bureau policyholders can save money on their already affordable policies by enrolling in Driveology, the company’s telematics program that rewards drivers for practicing safe habits. Drivers 25 and under can access the Safe Young Driver discount by completing the Young Driver Safety program. 

Though Farm Bureau doesn’t offer the widest selection of insurance products, the insurer does provide roadside assistance, replacement-cost coverage, and policies for classic cars. Farm Bureau offers home insurance, life insurance, and financial planning services. These products are often well-reviewed and less expensive than competitors, but not always. That’s why comparing products and services is a good idea before buying. 

As a final note, Farm Bureau operates on a state-by-state basis. Idaho drivers can access policies through the Idaho Farm Bureau, Tennessee drivers can access the Tennessee Farm Bureau, and so on. Because of this decentralization, customer service quality and price varies by location. 

American Family Insurance

Average Annual Premium: $1,773

• Pros: Generally affordable rates for drivers with issues with their driving record, offers a wide range of insurance products, and high customer and claims satisfaction ratings.

• Cons: Doesn’t provide many specialized policy add-ons, has low customer renewal scores, and a small service area.

• Best for: Drivers with multiple issues on their driving records.

American Family Insurance offers low-cost car insurance policies for policyholders deemed higher risk (drivers with a DUI, multiple speeding tickets, or other issues). To lower rates even further, customers can take advantage of a wide range of discounts, especially the multi-line or bundling discount. And there are tons of insurance products, including whole life insurance, with which you can access the bundling discount.

Though American Family doesn’t offer the most extensive range of endorsements, you’ll still find a full menu of coverage options, including gap coverage, rental reimbursement, and emergency roadside assistance. Plus, policy perks like a diminishing deductible are available. You’ll also find it easy to access and manage your policy (and claims) through the website and mobile app. 

Despite high scores from the J.D. Power Survey, U.S. News and World Report found that customers were less likely to renew policies with American Family compared to similar insurers. Currently, the insurer is only available in 19 states across the country.  

Nationwide 

Average Annual Premium: $1,790

• Pros: Large discount program, a comprehensive offering of insurance products, pay-per-mile coverage option, and an excellent website and mobile app. 

• Cons: Low customer satisfaction ratings, higher-than-average customer complaints, limited service area for car insurance. 

• Best for: Drivers who want one-stop shopping for all their insurance needs. 

Affordable rates are the norm at Nationwide, especially for drivers with speeding tickets. The company offers many car insurance options, including gap insurance, pet injury protection, and car key replacement. But where the company truly shines is the policy perks. Policyholders can get accident forgiveness, vanishing deductibles, and a total loss deductible waiver that lets you waive your comprehensive or collision deductible in the event your car is totaled. 

The unique On Your Side Review gives customers a free comprehensive annual assessment of their insurance coverage and discounts to ensure they get the coverage they need and all available deals. Customers also have a ton of discount options, including two telematics programs— one that monitors driving habits and one that monitors the number of miles driven. 

Despite the name, four states cannot access auto coverage from Nationwide. They are Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Massachusetts. The company can also benefit from increasing its customer satisfaction ratings. 

GEICO

Average Annual Insurance Premium: $1,806

• Pros: Great rates, available across the country, and steep discounts

• Cons: Average customer and claims satisfaction, some insurance products are purchased from a third party. 

• Best for: Drivers across the country.

GEICO regularly provides low rates to drivers with speeding tickets, poor credit, and other issues that typically raise premiums. Notably, the company doesn’t offer competitive rates for drivers with DUIs. Even so, customers can access a rich discount program, additional insurance products, and an excellent suite of self-service opportunities online and through the mobile app. And it serves all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. 

On the other hand, GEICO’s agent-model structure has led to some confusion amongst its customers. GEICO underwrites its auto policies, but some of its other insurance products, such as renter’s insurance, are underwritten by a third party. That means you can buy your renter’s policy with a GEICO agent, but you may need to manage your policy and claims process with a different insurer. 

And though GEICO consistently offers cheap rates, company performance is only average for claims, complaints, and general customer satisfaction. 

State Farm 

Average Annual Premium: $1,866

• Pros: Higher-than-average customer satisfaction, discount opportunities and a wide range of additional insurance products. 

• Cons: Fewer customization options than others on this list

• Best for: Policyholders with simple insurance needs 

State Farm remains one of the most trusted names in car insurance. The company offers inexpensive policies across the country, including home and life insurance. State Farm also provides rideshare coverage to those who need it. 

Customers of all needs and backgrounds will find many ways to save through State Farm’s discount programs. Drivers under 25 (and new drivers of all ages) can access the Steer Clear safe driving program. Those in some states can save up to 30 percent by participating in the Drive Safe & Save program.

Despite being one of the largest insurers in the nation, State Farm limits its customization options for policyholders. For example, gap coverage is not available here. Some research from US News and World Report also suggests that drivers with poor credit can’t access the same low rates as other drivers. 

Travelers 

Average Annual Premium: $1,921

• Pros: Offers a full range of insurance products, extensive coverage and customization options. 

• Cons: Below average customer and claims satisfaction and higher-than-average rates for homeowner’s insurance. 

• Best for: Drivers who don’t want to bundle their auto and home insurance policies. 

Travelers may not offer the lowest premium on this list, but don’t count it out as being your cheapest option. There are many discount opportunities here with many being more generous than competitors. For example, the bundling deal is one of the best in the country. And the national insurer offers a wide range of coverage options and insurance products, so virtually anyone can find what they need here. 

Travelers has spotty customer and claim service reviews, with J.D. Power surveys showing lower-than-average scores for customers. However, U.S. News found higher-than-average scores for claims handling. 

While it offers multi-line options abound, we should also note that homeowners typically don’t find their lowest rate with Travelers. That can make the savings found with car insurance less effective. But, for savvy policyholders who qualify for discounts, cheap rates are still possible here. 

How to Save on Car Insurance After a Speeding Ticket

Several tried and true methods exist to lower car insurance rates after a speeding violation. Use one or all of them to see how low your rate can go. 

Review Your Insurance Coverage

To save on your premium, you can consider reducing your insurance coverage. But, it’s important to note that carrying less coverage increases your risk. So, you have to determine how much risk you’re willing to carry. Sometimes it’s not worth it.

It’s generally a good idea to carry higher-than-minimum liability coverage. And, if your state doesn’t require it, you should still have underinsured and uninsured motorist protection coverage. 

Review Your Discounts

There’s no harm in reviewing the discount programs at your insurance provider to ensure you’re receiving all qualifying and available discounts. Also, there’s no harm in checking out the discount programs of your insurance provider’s most formidable competitors. Switching car insurance providers is surprisingly easy, should you find better discounts elsewhere. 

Avoid Additional Tickets 

Good driving habits are the best way to keep your record clean. Consider signing up for a defensive driving course through your insurance company. You may earn an additional discount on your insurance premiums. Conversely, receiving additional tickets can push you further into the high-risk insurance category and increase rates even more. 

Avoid Small Claims

Small claims that don’t involve an accident, such as a cracked windshield, can raise your rates even more. Consider avoiding making a small claim if at all possible. You often save money in the long run by paying for minor damage out-of-pocket. 

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Regularly

Car insurance costs have so many factors at play that rates can change monthly, weekly, or even daily. That’s why it’s essential to review car insurance rates often, at least every six months. 

Compare makes comparison shopping easy. Our auto insurance calculator compares quotes from 65+ top insurance companies to find you the best price. 

How Speeding Tickets Impact Your Insurance Rates

A single speeding ticket typically causes rates to go up by 20 to 30 percent. But the increase could be higher or lower depending on several factors, including your:

• Insurance company
• Age and driving history
• Excess speed
• Driving habits
• Vehicle make and model
• Coverage options and limits
• Credit score
• State policies

The increase could be far lower for older drivers for whom a minor speeding ticket is a first-time (or first time in a long time) offense. Younger drivers caught excessively driving could see much higher rate increases. 

How long do speeding tickets affect your insurance rates?

A speeding ticket affects car insurance rates for at least three years for most drivers. But, speeding tickets can stay on your record longer in some states, and often tickets for higher speeds increase rates for longer. Finally, insurance companies have different “look-back” periods, which is how far they look into a driver’s record. That means insurers with shorter look-back periods penalize drivers for less time than others. 

FAQs About Getting Cheap Car Insurance With a Speeding Ticket

Do you have to report speeding tickets to your insurance company?

Some insurance companies require drivers to report speeding tickets, and some do not. You’ll need to consult your policy documents to understand your responsibility. Insurance companies requiring drivers to report may have a policy not to offer renewal policies should they discover an unreported violation. 

Do out-of-state tickets affect insurance?

Yes, your out-of-state traffic ticket could affect your insurance. DMVs in different states share information via the Driver License Compact (DLC). Your state’s DMV can discover your ticket through the DLC and place points on your driving record (which your insurance company reviews when calculating your rate). Many states participate in the DLC, including California, Florida, and Texas. 

But some states, like Tennessee, aren’t members of the DLC. And others, like Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania, don’t put minor out-of-state speeding tickets on your record. Always check your local policies.  

How many points is a speeding ticket?

A speeding ticket typically places one to two points on your license so long as you are not speeding more than 10 miles per hour. The higher your speed, the more points you can receive. Each state has different rules regarding license points, so consult your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website for an accurate answer. 

J.J. Starr Insurance Writer

J.J. Starr is an insurance writer for Compare.com who specializes in auto insurance and personal finance. She has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand. Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J was a registered banker and life insurance consultant. She holds a master's degree in writing from New York University and a bachelor's degree from Stephens College.