Can a Speeding Ticket Affect Your Insurance?

If you’ve been ticketed for speeding recently, you’re likely worried about the effect it will have on your car insurance rates — and for good reason. Speeding tickets almost always cause the cost of car insurance to increase, but the rate of increase will vary based on your driving history, location and other factors. Here’s what you need to know about how speeding tickets affect insurance.

How Much Does a Speeding Ticket Raise Insurance Rates?

The national average car insurance rate hike for drivers who get a speeding ticket is 25%, or nearly $550 more a year. This varies wildly from state to state, though, due to state insurance regulations and state laws. In some parts of the country, you may only see an increase of 10% or so, while drivers in other states like New Jersey and California could see their rates go up by as much as 50%.

When Will a Speeding Ticket Show Up on Insurance?

You might think you’re in the clear when you receive your first post-ticket insurance bill, but that’s because any rate increase won’t be applied until you renew the policy or get a new insurance policy. Insurance companies don’t check your driving record every month, but they do review it at the time of renewal or purchase. 

Traffic violations like speeding tickets can stay on your driving record from three to five years, depending on where you live, which means you’ll likely pay a higher insurance rate for that duration.

How Can I Lower My Car Insurance Rates After a Speeding Ticket?

You may be able to negate the increase in cost due to a speeding ticket, depending on your driving history, insurance carrier and where you live. Here are three questions to consider.

1. Is This Your First Offense? If you have an otherwise clean driving record, you may be eligible to take a state-approved defensive driving course and keep the traffic ticket off your record altogether, preventing an increase in car insurance costs.
2. Are You Eligible for Other Discounts? Getting caught driving too fast doesn’t automatically disqualify you from other auto insurance discounts, such as bundling home and auto coverage, paying your bill in full and insuring more than one car. Your Farm Bureau agent can help identify other ways to save.
3. Do You Practice Safe Driving? Usage-based insurance programs like Driveology® from Farm Bureau allow you to track your driving performance in exchange for a discounted rate at your next renewal. Even with a speeding ticket on your driving record, you may still qualify — talk to your agent to learn more.

Auto Insurance That Goes the Extra Mile

Great coverage doesn’t need to cost a lot, which is why we offer so many ways to save on your car insurance. Your Farm Bureau agent can make sure you don’t miss out on savings opportunities.