When Will a Speeding Ticket Affect Your Insurance?
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When will a speeding ticket show up on insurance? In general, speeding tickets appear on your insurance when it's time to renew. Not every insurance company will pull your record at the time of policy renewal, but they will charge you for the ticket when they discover it. Even a single speeding ticket can impact your car insurance rates and driving records.
How much does a speeding ticket raise insurance? It will vary based on whether or not you have a clean driving record, other traffic tickets and speeding tickets, and how much you were going over the speed limit. This guide will help you understand speeding ticket car insurance, how long car insurance premium increases might last, and how you can reduce the financial impact of a speeding ticket.
When Will a Speeding Ticket Show Up on Insurance?
Does a speeding ticket affect your insurance? Almost always.
When will a speeding ticket show up on your car insurance? That depends.
As a general rule, most speeding tickets will show up when your insurance company reviews your motor vehicle record as you prepare to renew your insurance policy. Insurance costs often go up accordingly. If you are driving on a restricted license or were ticketed for other serious traffic infractions, your speeding ticket might show up sooner.
If you have a serious history of speeding and other traffic tickets, you might be required to get SR-22 insurance, proof that you can pay in the case of an accident or incident.
Factors That Affect When a Speeding Ticket Impacts Rates
Several factors affect how and when your speeding ticket might impact insurance rates:
The type of violation: If you received your first-ever speeding ticket for going 5 miles over the speed limit, it may not spike your insurance premiums at all, depending on your auto insurance company. If you, however, were ticketed for driving 20 miles over the speed limit while impaired from alcohol or drugs, you will likely see a speedier impact on your insurance.
Your driving record: If you have a clean record and no history of moving violations, you might also get lucky and not face a rate increase. On the other hand, if you have a history of speeding and other driving infractions and are already considered to be a high-risk driver, you may see a rate increase sooner than later.
Your insurance provider: Different insurance companies have different policies when it comes to speeding tickets and insurance rate increases. It is important to recognize that your current insurance company might not be the best option after you receive a speeding ticket.
How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Affect Insurance Premiums?
How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record? A speeding ticket will generally affect your insurance premiums for about three to five years. A more serious infraction, such as a DUI, can increase your insurance rates for an even longer period of time.
Do All Speeding Tickets Increase Insurance Rates?
Not every speeding ticket will increase your insurance rates. If this is your first offense and the infraction was for speeding less than 10 miles over the speed limit, you might qualify for a forgiveness program. A clean driving record can also minimize the impact of a speeding ticket. However, most insurance providers consider drivers who speed to be riskier to insure, so your insurance rates are more likely to go up than not.
Ways to Minimize the Impact of a Speeding Ticket on Insurance
Fortunately, there are several ways that you can minimize the impact of a speeding ticket on your auto insurance. Consider the following tips:
Complete a defensive driving course: Many insurance companies provide discounts after you successfully complete a defensive driving course, so this can be well worth your time and effort.
Compare insurance quotes: Since different insurance providers can adjust rates differently following a speeding ticket, it pays to shop around and find the best rates for your current driving needs.
Update your deductible: A higher deductible will cost you more in the event of an accident, but it will reduce your premiums in the meantime. It is a good idea to take a look at your current finances before you make a decision on your deductible.
When Should You Shop for a New Insurance Policy?
The days following a speeding ticket or other traffic ticket are actually a great time to shop for a new insurance policy. You can check out your options before your premiums go up and compare insurance quotes. Since traffic tickets and insurance increases often go hand in hand, there is no time like the present to shop around for a new insurance company and policy!
Find the Right Car Insurance for Your Situation
You can find the best car insurance for your current driving situation when you take the time to review and compare insurance quotes online. EverQuote makes it easy to compare custom options with free car insurance quotes. Insurance prices change as often as daily, so the best way to get the right insurance for the right price is to compare and shop often. Check out EverQuote today to find the best car insurance for your driving needs.