Although many factors affect your car insurance rates, your driving record is one of the most significant considerations. Car insurance companies charge higher rates if you have infractions on your record since you’re most likely to continue bad driving habits.

In fact, a speeding ticket affects your car insurance rates for three to five years, depending on your state, and raises rates an average of $45 a month. However, after the period of time is up and the ticket comes off of your record, rates should drop back to normal.

Fortunately, there are several ways to lower your rates until the ticket comes off. Add discounts, lower coverages, and shop for cheaper coverage to get the best deal on your car insurance. You can also take a defensive driving class to remove points and lower your rates.

Keep reading to learn more about how a speeding ticket affects your car insurance rates and how to reduce high rates.

How does a speeding ticket affect your car insurance rates?

Car insurance companies are all about risk. The riskier you are to insure, the higher your rates. The best way to determine if you’re going to cost them money is by looking at your driving record.

Your driving history indicates what type of driver you are. Drivers with speeding tickets, accidents, or DUIs are likely to continue risky behavior. Unfortunately, drivers who speed are more likely to be in an accident.

If you get a speeding ticket, you’ll likely have to pay a fine and any court fees. However, speeding tickets generally raise your rates the least out of moving violations, such as a DUI or accident.

Every insurance company looks at speeding tickets differently and chooses whether or not to raise your rates. Car insurance isn’t one size fits all, and rates vary by driver and insurer after a speeding ticket.

This table shows average rate increases after one speeding ticket from some top insurance companies.

One ticket increases your rates by an average of $45 a month. But, some companies, like Liberty Mutual, raise rates much higher. Multiple tickets or other moving violations cause those rates to skyrocket.

Your rates will also increase because you’ll lose your safe driver discount after a moving violation. So, you may see an even more significant increase once the discount is removed.

Some insurance companies overlook the first speeding ticket, especially if your driving record is otherwise clean. However, you can’t count on that since some companies charge more immediately.

You might even get hit with a reckless driving ticket for exceeding the speed limit too much in some states. In that case, you may have to buy much more expensive high-risk auto insurance.

How long do speeding tickets affect insurance?

Your state determines its own rules and laws regarding car insurance. Every state is different, so how long speeding tickets affect your insurance varies.

How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record?

A speeding ticket usually comes off of your insurance in three years. However, some states allow the ticket to affect insurance for five years. Additionally, depending on the severity of the offense, tickets can affect your insurance for 10 years in some states like California.

How much you were speeding also makes a difference. Going 10 miles per hour over the limit is different from driving 20 miles per hour over the limit. Tickets with higher speeds get more considerable fines, and you’ll get a huge rate increase.

Your fines will be higher if you’re speeding in areas like a school zone. Your car insurance company may also consider this a more severe offense and raise rates.

Typically, non-moving violations, such as parking tickets don’t affect your insurance at all. Other moving violations like running a red light or texting and driving may not affect rates, depending on your state and insurer.

The good news is that you’re not stuck paying for that speeding ticket forever.

When will my car insurance rates go down?

Your rates will decrease once the ticket comes off your record. In some states, points come off one each year, but other states remove all points associated with a ticket at the same time.

You can also take a defensive driving course. Most states reduce points on your license if you attend an approved course. Additionally, your insurer probably offers a discount for taking the course.

How can you lower car insurance rates after a speeding ticket?

If you’ve gotten a speeding ticket, the chances are that your insurance company will raise your rates. Thankfully, there are ways to lower your rates until the ticket comes off your record.

First, commit to becoming a safer driver, and obey all traffic laws. Avoiding additional tickets help keep rates low over time. If you continually add new tickets to your driving record, your rates will continue to be high.

Next, take advantage of car insurance discounts. Car insurance companies provide various discounts based on the driver, policy, and vehicle. For example, you won’t qualify for a safe driver discount with a speeding ticket, but you can get other discounts, such as for safety features on your car.

Most insurance companies now offer telematics programs that track your driving habits, such as speeding, and offer a discount based on how well you drive. Consider signing up for such a program to become more attentive to safe driving practices and lower rates at the same time.

Then, take a look at your policy. Reduce coverages and raise deductibles to lower rates. While your out-of-pocket expenses will be higher if you’re in an accident, your car insurance rates will be lower in the meantime.

Also, make other changes to lower car insurance rates, such as improving your credit score or buying a less expensive vehicle. Expensive cars are more costly to repair, so rates are higher. Insurance companies believe that a higher credit score means you’re less likely to file a claim.

Finally, shop around for car insurance. Since not every insurer raises rates for a ticket, you may find cheaper coverage elsewhere. You can also look for car insurance companies that forgive your first ticket.

A Speeding Ticket Affects Car Insurance Rates: The Bottom Line

A speeding ticket can raise your car insurance rates by around $45 a month for three to five years. However, the rate increase and time a speeding ticket affects your rates vary by company and state.

While some car insurance companies overlook your first speeding ticket, others don’t offer the same grace. If your driving record is otherwise clean, speak with your insurance company to ensure it was a one-off occurrence.

If your rates do increase after a speeding ticket, take a defensive driving course, ask for car insurance discounts, and shop around to get lower rates.

The good news is that a speeding ticket won’t affect your car insurance rates forever. After a few years, rates return to normal, provided you haven’t added more infractions to your driving record. Note, though, that if you rack up enough points at one time, your state may suspend your license.

One of the best ways to keep your rates low is to drive safely. So commit to obeying the speed limit from here on out to avoid rate increases.