How to Keep a Speeding Ticket Off Your Insurance

Getting a speeding ticket can be annoying and frustrating. But what’s even worse is when that ticket leads to increased car insurance rates. A single speeding violation can raise your premiums by an average of 15% to 30%, depending on where you live and your insurer. And some insurers may raise rates by 40% or more after just one ticket!

The good news is there are ways to prevent your speeding ticket from impacting your insurance rates. This guide will explain how speeding tickets affect your insurance, when you’ll see the rate hike, and most importantly, the different strategies you can use to keep your ticket off your driving record and away from your insurance company.

Why Speeding Tickets Raise Insurance Rates

Car insurance companies view drivers who speed as higher risk clients. Statistically, speeders are more likely to get into accidents, file claims, and cost the insurer more money.

That’s why insurers plug your driving record into risk models when calculating your premiums. Just one speeding violation is often enough to classify you as high-risk and justify a rate increase.

How Much Rates Increase After a Speeding Ticket

On average, a single speeding ticket will raise your car insurance rates by 15% to 30%, varying by state and insurer. However, some companies may hike rates by 40% to 50% or more.

For example:

• In Florida, rates go up 32%, costing $419 more per year on average
• In California, expect a 30% increase, equaling $446 extra annually
• In Ohio, premiums rise by 15%, or $235 more per year
• In Maine, rates jump 16%, costing about $160 more annually

The exact increase depends on:

• Your current insurance company and policy
• Your state’s regulations
• Your previous driving record
• Details like how much over the speed limit you were going

And if you get a second speeding ticket within 3 years, expect your rates to double. Some insurers may even drop customers after 2-3 violations within a short timeframe.

When Will My Rates Go Up After a Speeding Ticket?

In most states, insurers only check your driving record periodically, such as when your policy renews. So if you get a ticket, your rates likely won’t increase until your next renewal, which may be 6-12 months away.

However, some insurers will check records and re-rate policies every 30-90 days. And a few may re-rate your policy immediately after a new violation.

Tips to delay the rate hike:

• Time ticket payments – Don’t pay right away, which is admitting guilt. Wait until close to the due date.
• Avoid additional tickets – Steer clear of further violations during this time.
• Delay renewal – You may be able to push back your renewal date a bit.

But no matter what, your insurer will eventually see the ticket on your driving record and raise your premiums accordingly.

6 Ways to Keep a Speeding Ticket Off Your Insurance

If you want to avoid the insurance rate hike, you need to prevent your speeding ticket from ending up on your driving record. Here are six proven strategies:

1. Fight the Ticket in Traffic Court

Contesting your ticket in traffic court is probably the most common approach. When you dispute a traffic citation, you’ll have to appear before a judge and argue your case.

If you can successfully fight the ticket, the judge may dismiss it entirely or reduce it to a non-moving violation that won’t impact your insurance. For example, a speeding ticket could get reduced to a parking citation.

Tips for traffic court success:

• Research ticket defenses – e.g. questioning radar accuracy
• Submit evidence – photos, diagrams, weather reports
• Dress professionally and be polite
• Request traffic school if you lose

Hiring a traffic ticket attorney increases your odds of winning. But legal fees typically start around $150 – $300.

2. Request Traffic School

In many states, you can attend traffic school or defensive driving in exchange for getting your speeding ticket dismissed. You’ll still have to pay court fees but can avoid points on your license and insurance hikes.

Requirements vary by state but generally include:

• Paying a fee (often $100 – $300)
• Completing an approved driving course
• Not having another violation on your record recently
• Only works for minor speeding tickets, not reckless driving

Online traffic school courses are commonly available if allowed in your state.

3. Seek a Deferred Adjudication

A deferred adjudication essentially puts your ticket on hold. If you meet the terms, such as going a period without any additional violations, the ticket gets dismissed.

You’ll generally have to pay around a $100 – $250 administrative fee. Deferred adjudication may only be offered to drivers with otherwise clean records. And some states limit how often you can use this option.

But it’s a simple way to keep the ticket off your record if available.

4. Request Diversion Program

Several states offer diversion programs that are similar to deferred adjudication. These programs put your ticket on hold while you complete driving school, community service, or other requirements.

Once finished, the ticket is dismissed. Even if you don’t complete the terms, the case just reverts back to a normal speeding ticket.

Diversion programs involve court fees around $150 – $300 typically. Availability depends on the state and nature of the ticket.

5. Negotiate with the Prosecutor

One option is to negotiate with the prosecutor on your case. Often you can work out a deal to plead guilty to a non-moving violation in exchange for paying court fees.

You may also get some points credited back on your license. This approach requires you to appear in court on your date and speak with the prosecutor beforehand. Not all will agree, but it’s worth asking.

6. Hire an Attorney to Fight the Ticket

Your final option is hiring a lawyer to contest your speeding ticket. Experienced traffic attorneys know every defense and loophole to beat a ticket in court.

Average fees range from $200 – $500, varying by your location. While expensive, a top lawyer’s help could be worth it to avoid higher insurance costs.

Just make sure to confirm they have a track record of success challenging traffic citations. Don’t just pick the cheapest lawyer.

Other Ways to Minimize Insurance Increases

Even if your ticket ends up on your record, you still have options to control premium hikes including:

• Shopping around – Get quotes from various insurers. Some may raise rates less than others.
• Taking defensive driving – A class can offset some increase even after the conviction.
• Raising deductibles – Increasing your deductible by $250 or $500 can help counter rate hikes.
• Bundling policies – You can save up to 15% by bundling home or renters insurance.
• Using discounts – See if you qualify for any other discounts to offset the increase.
• Improving credit – In some states insurers use credit reports. Boosting your score could provide savings.

The bottom line is don’t just accept a speeding ticket. Take proactive steps to prevent it from raising your insurance rates. Contesting the ticket or completing driving school are the most reliable ways. But working with an attorney or prosecutor may also get the job done.

With some effort, you can keep your driving record clean and avoid paying hundreds of extra dollars per year in car insurance premiums.