How Many Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance
Speeding is not only dangerous but it can also put a dent in your wallet – and not just because of the ticket fee. One of the consequences of a speeding ticket is the effect on car insurance rates. But how many speeding tickets affect insurance? In this blog post, we’ll explore the answer to this question and discuss what you can do if you’ve been ticketed for speeding.
How Many Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance Rates?
The answer to the question of how many speeding tickets affect insurance rates is not a one-size-fits-all. In general, insurance companies can increase your rates for any moving violation, including speeding. However, the number of speeding tickets it takes to affect your car insurance rates may depend on a few factors, such as:
Your Driving Record
If you have a clean driving record with no prior moving violations, one speeding ticket may not cause a significant increase in your rates. However, if you have a history of speeding tickets or other moving violations, one more ticket can have a more significant impact on your insurance rates.
The Severity of the Violation
The severity of the speeding violation can also affect the insurance rate increase. Minor speeding tickets may not cause much of a rate increase but a ticket for excessive speeding or reckless driving can result in a big hike in your insurance rates.
Your Insurance Provider
Each insurance company uses different methods to calculate risk and determine rates. So, how many speeding tickets that affect insurance rates can depend on the insurer’s underwriting practices. Some car insurance companies may increase rates after one speeding ticket, while others may wait until two or three tickets before raising your rates.
How Long Do Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance?
Now that we’ve discussed how many speeding tickets affect insurance rates, it’s also important to understand how long your insurance rates will be affected. States have their own laws regarding how long a speeding ticket stays on your driving record, which can range from six months to several years. Additionally, car insurance companies can use speeding tickets that have been on your driving record for up to three years to determine your rates.
In other words, a speeding ticket’s impact on your insurance rates may not be immediate, but it can affect your rates for several years, depending on your insurance provider and your state’s laws.
What to Do if You’ve Been Ticketed for Speeding
If you’ve been ticketed for speeding, there are a few steps you can take to minimize the impact on your car insurance rates:
Option 1: Fight the Ticket
If you believe you were wrongly ticketed or you want to contest the ticket, you can fight the ticket. Although this process can be time-consuming and stressful, it can help you avoid an increase in your car insurance rates, as long as you win the case or get the fees reduced.
Option 2: Take a Defensive Driving Course
Some states and car insurance companies may offer a reduced rate or waive the increase for taking a defensive driving course. This option helps you improve your driving skills and reduce the impact of your speeding violation on your insurance rates.
Option 3: Shop for Car Insurance
If your current car insurance rates have significantly increased after a speeding ticket, you may want to shop for other providers to find a better rate. Not all insurance companies will have the same rate increases for a speeding ticket, so it’s worth getting quotes from multiple providers.
Conclusion
So, how many speeding tickets affect insurance rates? Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer. The number of speeding tickets that can affect your car insurance rates depends on your driving history, the severity of the violation, and your insurance provider. However, it’s important to remember that a single speeding ticket can affect your insurance rates for several years, making it crucial to practice safe driving habits and respect posted speed limits.