How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Impact Your Car Insurance?

How long does a speeding ticket stay on your car insurance record?

While it varies by your state, the car insurance company, and the severity of your ticket, you should expect a speeding (or similar) citation to affect your rates for at least 3 years. Let’s break this down by car insurance company and the type of speeding ticket.

Average insurance premium increase violation

The duration for which your car insurance rates will be impacted by a ticket depends on your location, your insurer, and the severity of your violation. We pulled rates from top car insurance companies across the U.S. and assessed rates after five levels of speeding ticket severity. ^[1] The table below outlines the average rates per month you might see after a speeding ticket in your state. 

Every violation (and driver) is slightly different, so rates vary depending on multiple factors. This table gives you an idea of the rates for different types of tickets and violations.

Does a ticket in a different state impact your insurance policy?

Most states participate in the Driver's License Compact — or DLC — in which they share violation information between a driver’s home state and the state in which a violation occurred. Because not all states participate or share information, the impact of an out of state ticket may vary, depending on where you receive your traffic ticket.

Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee and Georgia are not members. Other states, such as Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, New York and Pennsylvania, will only share information for major convictions, such as a DUI or reckless driving charge.

In short, the impact will depend on both states and the nature of the traffic violation.

How can I save on car insurance after a ticket?

Let’s outline some quick fixes to help keep your premium low.

 ✅ Be smart with your claims

Most insurance experts advise you to only use your car insurance coverage if the value of damage exceeds your reasonable ability to pay for it. This is because most insurance companies will substantially raise your rates after you file a claim. On average, an at-fault collision claim raised rates an average of $767 per year. Like a ticket, you should expect an at-fault accident to impact your rates for three to five years.

If you’re unsure of whether or not to file a claim, see our guide:

• Get an estimate for the repairs at a local auto body repair shop.
• Use our State of Insurance report to see how much an at-fault accident would impact rates in your state.
• Compare the out-of-pocket expense to the rate increase (plus your deductible). If it is cheaper to file a claim, do that.

Learn more about when to file a car insurance claim.

✅ Pay only for the coverage you need

If your owned vehicle is worth less than $4,000, you typically do not need comprehensive or collision coverage. These coverages are not required by law and only act to protect the physical value of your vehicle. If your vehicle is not worth much, you could be paying for more insurance than you need.

You can determine the value of your vehicle from Kelley Blue Book or NADA online. If you remove comprehensive and collision coverage, consider adding uninsured motorist coverage, which will help protect you from uninsured drivers. Keep in mind, however, that the out-of-pocket cost of repairs could far outweigh the cost of comprehensive and collision coverage in some cases.

✅ Double-check for discounts

Discounts are not going to be a big money saver in terms of car insurance, and you should not stay with your current insurer simply because they offer you a discount. However, perks like a good driver discount or lower rates offered after taking a defensive driving course can be helpful in saving a few bucks. Below are some common discounts you should see if your insurance provider offers. Learn more about popular car insurance discounts.

Aside from successfully contesting a ticket, your best bet for avoiding higher rates and saving money is to shop around for auto insurance quotes. The auto insurance company you're covered by is a key factor in how much you pay after a ticket.

Enter your ZIP code below to see how much you could be paying, given your driving record.

Car insurance and ticket impact FAQs: