How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Affect Your Insurance in Texas?
If you’ve ever been pulled over for speeding, you may be wondering how this ticket will affect your auto insurance rates. In Texas, a speeding ticket can impact your auto insurance premiums, but for how long? In this blog post, we’ll dive into the details of how long a speeding ticket stays on your record and how it affects your insurance in Texas.
Speeding Tickets and Insurance Premiums
Firstly, some background information on how speeding tickets and auto insurance are linked. When you get a speeding ticket, it is reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The information is then added to your driving record, which your insurance company has access to.Insurance companies use your driving record to determine your risk level as a driver. If you have a poor driving record with multiple speeding tickets, accidents, or other traffic violations, you are seen as a higher risk driver and may face higher insurance premiums.
How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record?
In Texas, a speeding ticket will stay on your driving record for three years from the date of conviction. However, the length of time it affects your insurance rates can vary depending on your insurance company’s policies.Some insurance companies will only look at the last two years of your driving record when determining your premiums. This means that after two years from the date of conviction, your speeding ticket may no longer impact your insurance rates.However, other insurance companies may have a longer lookback period and may consider all violations within the past three to five years. This means that if you have a speeding ticket on your record from three years ago, it could still impact your insurance rates.
How Much Does a Speeding Ticket Increase Your Insurance Rates?
The amount your auto insurance rates may increase after a speeding ticket varies depending on a few factors, including:
- The severity of the offense
- Your driving history
- Your insurance company’s policies
On average, a speeding ticket in Texas can cause a 20% increase in your insurance rates. However, this can vary greatly depending on the factors mentioned above.
How to Minimize the Impact of a Speeding Ticket on Your Insurance Rates
If you receive a speeding ticket in Texas, there are a few things you can do to minimize the impact on your insurance rates:
- Take a defensive driving course: In Texas, you have the option to take a defensive driving course to have your ticket dismissed or to lower the fine. Taking this course may also keep the ticket off your driving record, which can prevent your insurance rates from increasing.
- Shop around for insurance: Not all insurance companies have the same policies when it comes to speeding tickets. By shopping around for auto insurance, you may find a company that is more lenient towards drivers with one speeding ticket on their record.
- Stay safe on the road: The best way to minimize the impact of a speeding ticket on your insurance rates is to avoid getting one in the first place. Practice safe driving habits, obey the speed limit and traffic laws, and be mindful of your surroundings while on the road.
Conclusion
In summary, a speeding ticket in Texas will stay on your driving record for three years from the date of conviction. How long it will impact your insurance rates depends on your insurance company’s policies. By practicing safe driving habits and taking steps to minimize the impact of a speeding ticket, you can keep your insurance rates as low as possible.