How Will a Speeding Ticket Affect My Insurance?
Getting a speeding ticket isn’t a pleasant experience, especially if you’re concerned about the effect it could have on your car insurance rates. Car insurance companies often penalize drivers who receive traffic citations with higher premiums. But how much of an impact does a speeding ticket really have on your insurance rates? In this article, we’ll take a look at how speeding tickets impact insurance premiums, the types of violations that result in the highest rate increases, and what you can do to mitigate the effects of a ticket.
How Insurance Companies Determine Your Rates
Before we delve into the topic, it’s important to understand how insurance companies determine insurance rates. Car insurance companies use a variety of factors to create a unique risk profile for each driver that they insure. Risk profiles are based on various factors like:- Age and gender- Driving record- Credit score- Vehicle make and model- Occupation and education level- Marital statusThe higher the risk, the more expensive your insurance premiums may be.
How Do Speeding Tickets Affect Your Insurance Rates?
Now let’s talk about speeding tickets specifically. When you get a speeding ticket, the violation is added to your driving record. Your driving record is used as an indicator of risk by the insurance company. The more tickets or accidents you have on your record, the higher the risk, and the more you could pay for car insurance. So, a single speeding ticket may increase your insurance premiums slightly, but not significantly. However, if you have a history of speeding tickets or have other violations on your driving record, the effect on your rates will be much more noticeable.
The Types of Speeding Tickets That Have the Highest Impact on Insurance Rates
Not all speeding tickets are created equal. Some violations carry much more weight than others when it comes to insurance rates. Here are the types of speeding tickets that have the highest impact on your insurance premiums:- Going more than 30 mph over the speed limit- Reckless driving- Racing on the road- Leaving the scene of an accident- Driving under the influenceIf you’re convicted of any of these violations, your insurance company may increase your rates significantly or even drop you from coverage altogether.
How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Affect Your Insurance?
If you receive a speeding ticket, it will typically remain on your record for three to five years from the date of the violation. During that time, your insurance company may factor in the violation when determining your insurance rates. However, the impact on your rates will lessen as time goes by, and the violation eventually drops off your record.
What Can You Do to Mitigate the Effects of a Speeding Ticket?
There are a few things you can do to mitigate the effects of a speeding ticket. Here’s what we recommend:- Attend traffic school: Many states allow you to attend traffic school to have a violation removed from your record. Not only can this make you a safer driver, but it can also keep your insurance rates from going up.- Shop around for insurance: If your insurance company raises your rates after a speeding ticket, it may be time to shop around for a better deal. Different insurance companies have different formulas for determining risk, so you may be able to find a company that offers better rates even with a speeding ticket on your record.- Consider a higher deductible: If you’re looking to lower your monthly insurance premiums, consider opting for a higher deductible. Just make sure you know how much you can afford to pay out of pocket in case of an accident.
Conclusion
In conclusion, receiving a speeding ticket will likely result in a slight increase in your insurance premiums. However, the impact can be much more significant if you have multiple violations or commit serious infractions. By attending traffic school, shopping around for insurance, and considering a higher deductible, you may be able to mitigate the effects of a speeding ticket. The key is to drive safely and avoid getting another ticket to keep your insurance rates low.
