Do All Speeding Tickets Affect Your Insurance?
Driving a car means following rules, regulations, and laws to keep you and other drivers safe. However, sometimes you may forget the speed limit, or you may be in a hurry, leading to getting caught for speeding. Besides the financial impact, you may also have to bear the consequences of a speeding ticket on your car insurance rates. But, do all speeding tickets affect your insurance? Let’s find out.
Types of Speeding Tickets
Generally, when you’re caught speeding, there are two types of speeding tickets you can receive: a “regular” speeding ticket or a “reckless driving” ticket. These tickets differ in terms of the severity of the offense and the financial penalty. A “regular” speeding ticket is the most common type of ticket that can be issued for driving over the speed limit. This violation is typically a petty offense with only a small fine. It will likely not have too much impact on your insurance rates. A “reckless driving” ticket, on the other hand, is a severe traffic offense that endangers people, property, or both. It’s a misdemeanor crime that carries heavy penalties, including a large fine, jail time, or both. A reckless driving ticket will likely raise your insurance rates significantly.
How Insurance Companies View Speeding Tickets
Insurance companies view speeding tickets as an indicator of risky driving behavior. They assume the driver who receives a speeding ticket is likely to engage in other risky driving behaviors such as running red lights, talking on the phone while driving, or not wearing a seatbelt. Therefore, receiving a speeding ticket can negatively impact your insurance rates.However, the severity of the impact on your insurance rates also depends on the number and frequency of speeding tickets you have received. If you have received only one or two speeding tickets, your premium may increase slightly. But, if you have a history of multiple speeding tickets, your insurance rates may increase significantly.
When Will Your Premium Increase?
The rate of the insurance premium increase also varies from one insurance company to another. Generally, if you have a clean driving record, your insurance company may overlook one speeding ticket. However, if you have a history of multiple speeding tickets, the insurance company may consider you a high-risk driver and increase your premium.Moreover, if you receive a speeding ticket in a high-risk group, such as in a school zone or construction zone, the insurance company will likely raise your premium. These areas are known as high-risk groups because they have a high likelihood of accidents, and the chances of getting caught while speeding are higher.
The Impact of Points on Your Driving Record
In addition to the financial penalty of a speeding ticket, you also receive points on your driving record. Points are an indication of risky driving behavior, and the higher the points, the higher risk driver you are. Insurance companies assess these points and charge premiums accordingly.Similarly, the impact of points on your car insurance rates depends on multiple factors, including the insurance company and the state’s regulations. In some states, insurance companies ignore one violation, while in others, they may raise your premium slightly for every offense recorded.
Conclusion
In conclusion, do all speeding tickets affect your insurance? The answer is not always. The impact of a speeding ticket on your car insurance rates varies depending on various aspects such as the insurance company, the severity of the offense, and the number of offenses. However, it’s worth noting that safe driving habits lead to more affordable car insurance rates. Therefore, it’s best to drive within the speed limit, wear your seatbelt, and avoid other risky driving behaviors to keep your driving record clean and your insurance rates low.