What Happens When You Get a Speeding Ticket?
Getting a speeding ticket is inconvenient. You can always pay it, but it sometimes makes more sense to go to court and ask for a dismissal or a lower fine. To make matters worse, your insurance company will be aware that you received a speeding ticket and may raise your car insurance premium as a result.
Speeding tickets can stay on your record for years. Depending on your insurer and where you received the ticket, a single, relatively minor speeding infraction can result in a rate increase of 30% or more. That is why it is critical to understand the consequences of receiving a speeding ticket before receiving one.
How Speeding Tickets Affect Your Insurance
Insurance companies consider drivers who receive speeding tickets to be more dangerous because they are more likely to be involved in a traffic accident. When insurers discover speeding violations, they frequently raise your car insurance premium to mitigate the risk. The more speeding tickets you receive, the more likely it is that your rate will rise.
Point Systems
Some states use point systems to track the driving records of their residents. If you receive a speeding ticket, the system will assess a certain number of points to your driving record, which will remain on your record for several years. New drivers begin with no points on their driving record. Minor infractions result in few points, but major infractions result in a higher number of points as a penalty.
For example, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, speeding motorists in the Volunteer State accrue the following points:
- 1 point if you go over the speed limit by up to 5 miles per hour (mph)
- 4 points for exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 25 mph.
- 8 points for exceeding the speed limit by 46 miles per hour or more.
When you apply for auto insurance, the carrier will run a driving record check. Drivers with few or no points on their record typically pay lower rates than those with a history of accidents and speeding tickets.
How Often do Insurers Check Your Driving Record?
Even if you purchase a car insurance policy with a clean driving record, your rates may rise if you later receive traffic tickets. When you apply for new coverage, a provider will always check your driving record. When it comes time to renew policies, they also check driving records.
Your insurance company may check your driving record every six to twelve months. While getting a ticket for going a few miles over the speed limit may seem insignificant, your insurer will almost certainly discover it and respond with a rate increase.
Out-of-State Speeding Tickets
Previously, states did not share their traffic violation data with one another, but they now do. Even if you receive a speeding ticket while out of state, it may appear on your in-state driving record later. As a result, out-of-state speeding tickets can have the same impact on your auto insurance rates as in-state infractions.
How Much Will Your Rate Increase?
Your auto insurance premiums may rise as a result of a speeding ticket, depending on your insurer and where you live. Progressive, for example, charges its policyholders a 15% increase in six-month premiums if they receive one speeding ticket in a three-year period. However, increases differ depending on the carrier.
According to the North Carolina Department of Insurance, motorists ticketed for speeding in the Tar Heel State face the following insurance rate increases:
- 30 percent when driving less than 55 mph but exceeding it by 10 mph or less
- 45 percent when driving at speeds greater than 55 mph but less than 76 mph, and more than 10 mph.
- 80% when driving faster than 75 mph in a zone with a speed limit less than 70 mph
- 260% when speeding to avoid arrest
How to Get Out of a Speeding Ticket
When you receive a traffic ticket, you have several options, each of which has advantages and disadvantages.
Pay the Fine
The quickest and simplest way to deal with a speeding ticket is to pay the fine. However, depending on where you received the ticket and how fast you were driving, the fine could be significant. In addition, if you live in a state where traffic points are assessed to your driver's license, you will almost certainly see an increase in your car insurance rates.
Fight the Ticket in Court
Going to court allows you to contest the speeding charge or request a reduction in the fine or points. A lawyer isn't always required to fight a speeding ticket. If the infraction threatens your driving privileges, you'll need to hire a lawyer to represent you in court.
Remember that a prosecutor will present evidence to refute the state's charge that you exceeded the speed limit. However, if you are successful in your defense, the court may dismiss the speeding ticket.
Request Mitigation
Some court systems have traffic violation mitigation programs in place. If you opt for mitigation, you must admit to speeding. However, mitigation allows you to explain the circumstances surrounding the violation. For example, you may have been driving too quickly to your child's school after receiving word that they had been injured on the playground.
A judge may reduce your fine, give you more time to pay it, or give you the option to complete a defensive driving course to reduce the fine in some cases. If the court rejects your excuse, you must pay the full fine and may receive points on your license.
How To Reduce Your Premium After a Speeding Ticket
You don't have to accept a higher insurance rate as a result of a speeding ticket. Check with your insurance company to see if you are eligible for any discounts that you are not receiving. Bundling policies can save you money if you insure your car and home with the same company. If you take a defensive driving course, you may be eligible for a penalty reduction or discount.
Consider shopping around for a new insurer as well. Compare coverages, discounts, optional coverages, and rates from various insurance companies. You might be able to find comparable or even better coverage for a lower premium.
How To Avoid Speeding Tickets
Slowing down is the best way to avoid speeding tickets. Maintain constant awareness of speed limits and how fast you're driving.
Enrolling in a usage-based car insurance program can help you assess and improve your driving habits. Usage-based programs use telematics technology, such as a mobile app or a plug-in device, to track the times of day you drive, your speed, and your braking. Allstate's Drivewise, Progressive's Snapshot, and State Farm's Drive Safe & Save are examples of popular usage-based auto insurance programs.
Telematics technology sends your driving information to your insurer. These programs provide premium savings to drivers who follow the rules of the road, but they may result in rate increases for those who drive too fast.
Consider installing a speed governor on your vehicle as well. These electronic devices limit your speed to a preset value, such as 73 miles per hour. Speed governors are vehicle-specific, pre programmed devices that connect to the throttle control system of your vehicle.