Car Insurance Rate Increases with a Speeding Ticket in 2026
Car insurance rates go up by 24% after your first speeding ticket, on average.
Speeding tickets stay on your driving record for around three years. How a ticket affects your insurance rates depends on a few factors. These include your driving record, how fast you were going and which company insures your car.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes after a Speeding Ticket
Does a first-time speeding ticket affect insurance?
One speeding ticket raises full coverage car insurance rates by $50 per month, on average.
A speeding ticket almost always raises your car insurance rates. How much your rate goes up depends on your insurance company, where you live and your driving history.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes after a Speeding Ticket
State Farm raises rates the least among major auto insurance companies for a first speeding ticket. Full coverage rates from State Farm go up by around 9%, or about $18 per month.
However, that doesn't mean State Farm is always the best choice after a ticket. Midsize companies such as Erie and Auto-Owners tend to have cheaper rates, if they're available near you.
Cheap car insurance with speeding tickets
It's important to shop around for auto insurance after a ticket to make sure you get the best possible rate.
However, the ticket won't affect your rates until your policy renews. So you should compare quotes when your policy is close to expiring.
How much does insurance go up after a speeding ticket in each state?
California has the largest increase in insurance rates after a speeding ticket.
Car insurance rates in California go up by 44% after one speeding ticket.
New York has the smallest increase in rates after one speeding ticket, at just 11%.
Full coverage rates after a speeding ticket
State | Monthly rate | % increase |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $227 | 25% |
| Alaska | $205 | 21% |
| Arizona | $306 | 30% |
| Arkansas | $277 | 23% |
| California | $318 | 44% |
When will a speeding ticket show up on insurance?
Your rates will only go up when your policy renews.
After you get a speeding ticket, the court notifies the DMV so it can update your driving record. Insurance companies typically check your record with the DMV before your policy renews. They do this to determine your rate for the next policy period.
You shouldn't rush to switch insurance companies after a speeding ticket. Instead, wait to shop for quotes until your current policy is about to expire.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record for insurance?
One speeding ticket will typically increase your insurance rates for around three years.
In many cases, your car insurance company will raise your rates by an average of 24% for the first two years after a ticket. Then, your rates will go down about 8% in the third year and return to normal in year four. Erie, Progressive, State Farm, Travelers and USAA all follow this method.
However, some companies, including Geico and Nationwide, slowly lower your rates each year until your speeding ticket falls off your record.
Cost of full coverage car insurance after one ticket
Time since ticket | Monthly rate | Decrease |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | $225 | - |
| 1 year | $220 | -2% |
| 2 years | $218 | -1% |
| 3 years | $192 | -12% |
Different states have different laws regarding how long a ticket can stay on your driving record.
In California, a ticket stays on your record for three or 10 years, depending on its severity. In contrast, a speeding ticket in Virginia stays on your record for five years.
How multiple tickets can raise your auto insurance rates
Drivers with more than one speeding ticket usually pay more for insurance than those with one ticket.
No. of tickets | Rate increase |
|---|---|
| 1 | 24% |
| 2 | 45% |
| 3 | 60% |
For example, one ticket increases rates by around 24%. A second ticket raises rates by 45%, compared to the cost for a driver with a clean record.
Drivers with three speeding tickets pay 60% more than drivers with no tickets.
Does how fast I was going affect my insurance rates?
Car insurance rates are higher for people with more severe speeding tickets, but only by a small amount. However, more serious speeding tickets typically come with higher fines.
Cost of full coverage insurance after a speeding ticket
Miles per hour over the speed limit | Annual rate |
|---|---|
| Less than 5 | $2,696 |
| 5-10 | $2,696 |
| 11-15 | $2,703 |
| 16-20 | $2,703 |
| 21-25 | $2,733 |
Mph
over the speed limit | Annual rate |
|---|---|
| Less than 5 | $2,696 |
| 5-10 | $2,696 |
| 11-15 | $2,703 |
| 16-20 | $2,703 |
| 21-25 | $2,733 |
How to lower insurance after a speeding ticket
The best way to find cheap car insurance after a speeding ticket is to compare quotes from multiple companies.
There are some other options that can help. But you should always check with your insurance company to see what steps you can take to reduce your rate.
You may be able to get your ticket dismissed by taking a defensive driving course.
This isn't the case in all states. You can also fight the ticket in court or ask the judge for ways to keep a ticket off your record.
Some states tie citations to points on a driver's license. Those points can impact how much insurance rates go up.
Insurance companies can also set rates based on your driving record instead of license points. That means efforts to reduce points, such as taking a defensive driving course, might not keep your insurance rates down.
You can also save money by qualifying for extra discounts.
For example, you could sign up for a safe driving program. Also called usage-based or telematics programs, they offer safe drivers the opportunity to earn a discount by allowing their insurance company to track their driving habits. It's important to note that some companies will raise your rates if you have unsafe habits behind the wheel, which can include speeding.
Frequently asked questions
How much will insurance go up after a speeding ticket?
One speeding ticket increases full coverage insurance rates by $50 per month, on average. However, the exact amount varies based on your driving history, where you live and your insurance company's rules.
How can I bring my rates down after a ticket?
The best ways to lower your insurance rates after a ticket are to shop around for a cheaper insurance company or take a driver education class. Otherwise, your rates will go back down over time.
What is the cheapest car insurance company after a speeding ticket?
American Family is the cheapest major insurance company after a ticket, at $189 per month. Erie, Auto-Owners and USAA have even more affordable rates after a ticket, but they're not available to everyone.
How bad is a speeding ticket?
Your first speeding ticket will increase your insurance rates by around 24%. However, multiple tickets cause rates to increase much more. Drivers with two tickets pay 45% more for full coverage. And those with three tickets pay 60% more than people with a clean record.
How long do tickets stay on your record for insurance?
Most drivers can expect their rates to go up for three to four years after a speeding ticket. Rates usually start to go down in the third year. Most of the time, your rates will go back to normal by the fourth year.
When will a speeding ticket show up on insurance?
A speeding ticket won't affect your insurance rates until your policy renews. Once your current insurance company sends your renewal offer, you should compare rates from multiple companies to find the best price for you.
Methodology
To compare the effects of a single speeding ticket on car insurance rates, ValuePenguin gathered quotes from every ZIP code across the United States. Rates are for a 30-year-old man with good credit who owns a 2018 Honda Civic EX.
Quotes are based on a full coverage policy with comprehensive and collision coverage.
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
To determine rates for drivers with multiple tickets, the length of time a speeding ticket affects car insurance rates and how the severity of a speeding ticket affects rates, ValuePenguin editors collected car insurance quotes from every ZIP code in Pennsylvania.
This analysis used Quadrant Information Services to compile the insurance rate data, which was publicly sourced from insurance company filings. Rates should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes may be different.
Senior Writer
Lindsay Bishop is a Senior Writer at ValuePenguin, where she educates readers about home, auto, renters, flood and motorcycle insurance.
Lindsay began her career in the insurance and financial industry in 2010. She was a licensed auto, home, life and health insurance agent and held Series 6 and 63 financial licenses.
After a hiatus from the financial sector, Lindsay returned to the industry as a content writer for ValuePenguin in 2021. She enjoys having the opportunity to help readers make smart decisions about their insurance so they can be prepared for anything life throws their way.
When Lindsay isn't writing about insurance, you can find her spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors on Sunday long runs or riding her Peloton.
How insurance helped Lindsay
As a homeowner for 15 years located in South Carolina, Lindsay has plenty of experience navigating the coastal insurance market and managing the claims process. That includes successfully negotiating a full roof replacement claim.
Expertise
- Home insurance
- Car insurance
- Flood insurance
- Renters insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- CNBC
- Yahoo Finance
- Miami Herald
Education
- BS/BA Economics, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
