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Senior Director, Media Relations, with Triple-I
30+ years of industry experience
Leadership positions at several trade organizations
Updated
In most cases, speeding tickets lead to higher auto insurance rates. Car insurance companies consider speeding tickets a sign of higher risk for car accidents and at-fault claims.[1]
When an insurer identifies a higher claims risk — such as a speeding ticket — it will often increase car insurance rates to compensate.[2] Insurance companies use different risk models to determine rates, and because speeding penalties vary by state, rate hikes can differ, too.
Read on to learn more about how speeding tickets affect auto insurance rates and what you can do to get cheaper rates after you get one (or several).
Speeding tickets usually raise car insurance rates because insurers view drivers who speed as higher risk.
On average, a single speeding ticket increases car insurance rates by about 33%.
You can sometimes limit how much a speeding ticket affects your rate by taking a defensive driving course, asking about insurance discounts, and comparing quotes, as some insurers penalize for tickets less than others.
Speeding tickets raise car insurance rates, typically at renewal, and result in fines from the state or city where the violation occurred. The actual amount depends on the circumstances of the ticket and the insurer, since some insurers apply larger rate increases than others.
Your driving speed plays a role. Typically, the higher the speed, the higher the increase. Where you received the ticket can affect rates, too. For example, speeding in school or construction zones often comes with higher penalties.
Environmental factors can also affect rate increases, as some insurers may treat a speeding ticket for “driving too fast for conditions” differently than a standard ticket.
Insurers also consider your driving history. High-risk drivers — those with one or more tickets or past insurance claims — may see steeper increases than drivers with a previously clean driving record.[3]
After a speeding ticket, car insurance rates go up by an average of 33%, according to Compare.com data. For the average driver, that’s an increase of about $45 per month, or $540 annually.
If you have an otherwise clean driving record aside from a single ticket, your insurer may be more forgiving. Most insurance companies raise premiums more for repeat offenses, severe violations, or when a speeding ticket comes with other infractions, such as a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction.
The table below shows average monthly premiums from some of the best insurers for drivers with clean records and speeding tickets, based on Compare.com data.
Company  | Average Monthly Premium: Clean Record | Average Monthly Premium: Speeding Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $106 | $136 |
| Progressive | $140 | $0 |
| GEICO | $149 | $204 |
| Allstate | $147 | $198 |
| USAA | $102 | $136 |
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Every car insurance company uses a unique formula to determine driver risk and car insurance rates. Some companies apply higher rate increases after a first-time offense, while others may make no changes.
The best way to understand how a speeding ticket affects your rates is to compare car insurance quotes from several companies.
The table below shows the 10 national insurers with the cheapest average monthly premiums for drivers with a speeding ticket, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average: Clean Record | Average: With Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $52 | $69 |
| State Farm | $54 | $69 |
| Allstate | $74 | $100 |
| National General | $88 | $109 |
| GEICO | $82 | $112 |
| Safeco | $84 | $115 |
| Root | $110 | $125 |
| Nationwide | $95 | $127 |
| Travelers | $98 | $132 |
| Bristol West | $105 | $133 |
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Auto insurance companies consider several factors when determining your car insurance rates after a speeding ticket, including:
Your motor vehicle record: Drivers with prior driving violations, claims, or accidents — and those with multiple or serious violations — typically see higher car insurance rates than first-time offenders.
Severity of the ticket: The more you were speeding over the limit, the greater the chance of a large rate increase.
Company policies: Internal company rules determining driver risk may influence rate increases.
Rules in your state: State policies and procedures can influence how an insurer determines your rate after a speeding ticket.
Your personal details: Your age, gender, vehicle, location, and how long you’ve been driving can also influence your insurance rates.
In general, first-time tickets and lower-speed infractions result in a smaller premium increase. But multiple tickets, driving at higher speeds, or being a young or inexperienced driver can result in larger premium increases.
A single speeding ticket typically stays on your driving record for three to five years, but the actual time depends on your state’s rules.[4]
Also, car insurance companies have different “look-back” periods, or how far back in time an insurer reviews your driving record. Some insurers have shorter look-back periods than others.
Rate increases typically show up when your policy renews, which is when your insurance company reviews your driving record. Similarly, insurers ask about your driving record whenever you get a rate quote.
Keep in mind that multiple speeding tickets or more serious traffic violations may result in longer-lasting rate increases. But this will also depend on the insurance company.
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Several strategies can reduce your rate increase or lower insurance costs after a speeding ticket:[5]
Contest your ticket. If you have the grounds, you may be able to contest the ticket and have it removed from your record.
Request mitigation. In some cases, you may be able to have your ticket reduced or receive fewer points on your license.
Take a safe driving course. Some states reduce the number of points on your record if you take an approved course or complete traffic school. Insurers may also offer a discount when you complete a safe driving course.
Leverage discounts. Review your insurer’s discount options, and stack them for the lowest rate. Telematics discounts, which lower rates for good driving, can be especially effective.
Keep a clean record going forward. Whether you’ve had one or several speeding tickets, avoiding future infractions can help lower your rate as quickly as possible.
Compare car insurance quotes. Rates change frequently, so compare quotes regularly to ensure you’re paying the lowest available rate.
Several factors affect your car insurance rate after you get a speeding ticket. See the answers below to common questions about how speeding tickets affect car insurance.
Yes. Most of the time, even a single speeding ticket will raise your car insurance rates. You can expect your rates to increase by about 33% after a speeding ticket, according to Compare.com data.
Typically, no. Non-moving violations usually don’t affect your car insurance rates because they don’t indicate a higher risk of claims.
Most drivers see car insurance rate increases when they renew their policies after a speeding ticket rather than immediately after the ticket. Insurers typically review your driving record before your policy renews.
Speeding tickets affect your insurance for three to five years. But the actual length of time varies by insurance company, with some companies using longer or shorter look-back periods.
Non-moving violations, such as parking tickets, broken taillights, or expired registration, don’t affect car insurance rates. They don’t signal risky driving behavior or a higher risk of insurance claims.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
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Senior Director, Media Relations, with Triple-I
30+ years of industry experience
Leadership positions at several trade organizations
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