Yes, a speeding ticket that is going on your South Carolina driving record could affect your insurance rates. Since this is your first ticket and since the speed amount over the limit is relatively small your insurance company may or may not raise your rates. It will be up to the rating system of your insurance provider to determine if this 9 mph over speeding violation will cause your rates to go up.

You are correct in SC being convicted of a speeding violation of no more than 10 mph above the posted limits results on 2 DMV points being placed on your motor vehicle record (MVR). The points that the DMV place on your MVR are not what is looked at by an insurance company though, it is the actual offense.

With this being your first ticket your insurance carrier's rating system may or may not deem this offense as something that should raise your rate. If your rates do not go up you may however have your safe driver discount taken away. In South Carolina, as in most states, each company adopts its own rating system, although there are general guidelines that all insurance companies must follow.

To find out what your specific auto insurance company rating system calls for in your situation if you are convicted of this traffic ticket ask your insurance agent or contact the insurance regulator for South Carolina, Department of Insurance.

The SC DOI notes that factors that can affect your car insurance rates include:

• Your driving record – drivers with previous violations or accidents are considered to be higher risk
• Your geographic territory – urban areas have more claims than rural areas
• Your gender and age – males have more accidents; certain age groups have more claims
• Your marital status – married people show lower rates of claims
• Prior insurance coverage – if you have ever had your insurance cancelled for non-payment of premiums
• Vehicle use – higher annual mileage results in higher exposure to risk
• Make and model of your vehicle – luxury and sports cars average a higher number of claims

In SC a violation such as this speeding ticket will will remain on your driving record for 3 years from the date the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) received notification of the ticket and thus you may be rated on it for this time period by an insurance company.