You’re cruising down the road when you notice flashing lights behind you. Slowing down, you realize — you’re over the speed limit. While it may not feel as dangerous as weaving in and out of lanes or following too closely, speeding is one of the riskiest behaviors that drivers engage in regularly. It is a top contributor to crashes along America’s roadways and killed 12,151 people in 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA).
If you get a speeding ticket, be prepared to pay fees and likely, much higher auto insurance rates. Learn more about how one or more speeding tickets impact your car insurance premiums, what states see the sharpest spikes and insurers that offer the cheapest rates.
- One speeding ticket could increase your rate by an average of 26%-43% at your next renewal.
- Two speeding tickets could increase your rate by 58% at your next renewal.
- Hawaii insurance rates could go up 90% for driving 11-29 mph over the limit. Connecticut and Pennsylvania, however, only raise rates by about 16%.
- You can expect to pay anywhere from $238 to $2,003 more per year if you were cited for speeding 11-29 mph over the limit.
Do speeding tickets affect insurance costs?
Speeding tickets negatively impact your car insurance premiums. Insurers determine your driving risk based on personal factors, including moving violations. How much more you’ll pay for car insurance after a speeding ticket depends on factors such as how fast you were driving, your state, your insurance company and your driving record.
Typically, people ask if a speeding ticket affects their insurance. But they should be asking: How much will a speeding ticket increase my insurance rates?
You can expect to pay anywhere from $238 to $2,003 more per year if you were cited for speeding 11–29 mph over the limit, according to CarInsurance.com data.
What are driver’s license points?
When a driver receives a ticket, is involved in an accident or drives under the influence (DUI), some states record these violations as points on their driving record. Typically, the more significant the violation, the higher the points. These can result in license suspension or revocation.
Points are added to your driver’s license every time you get a speeding ticket. The number of points assigned per speeding ticket varies by state and infraction.
Nine states do not currently use a driver’s license point system. They are:
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Washington
- Wyoming
Most insurers don’t determine your rate increases based on the number of points on your driver’s license. Insurance companies are generally more interested in your driving history, including the number and type of violations.
Read about the Insurance Points Vs License Points – How do 3 points affect insurance?
How much does car insurance increase a speeding ticket in every state?
Some states have higher car insurance rates — based on population density and higher incidents of claims and accidents, for example — which means higher premium increases after a speeding ticket.
These are the states where speeding 11–29 mph over the limit will result in the highest increases in premiums — from Louisiana with an increase of $2,003 at No. 1 to Washington with an increase of $750 at No. 10.
Here are the states listed in order:
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Hawaii
- California
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Wisconsin
- Nevada
- Washington
Below you’ll see the increase in rates by state, both as a percentage hike and the dollar amount, on average.
Enter your state in the search field below to see how much more you can expect to pay.
| State | % Increase 11 to 29 mph over | $ Increase | % Increase 30+ mph over | $ Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 36% | $461 | 36% | $461 |
| Alabama | 33% | $520 | 60% | $955 |
| Arkansas | 54% | $885 | 71% | $1,172 |
| Arizona | 39% | $668 | 45% | $767 |
| California | 42% | $920 | 42% | $920 |
| Colorado | 25% | $527 | 47% | $990 |
| Connecticut | 16% | $246 | 31% | $469 |
| District of Columbia | 24% | $454 | 35% | $674 |
| Delaware | 30% | $541 | 60% | $1,066 |
| Florida | 29% | $872 | 53% | $1,584 |
| Georgia | 36% | $613 | 51% | $873 |
| Hawaii | 90% | $1,184 | 90% | $1,184 |
| Iowa | 30% | $374 | 36% | $444 |
| Idaho | 23% | $248 | 33% | $356 |
| Illinois | 33% | $511 | 55% | $862 |
| Indiana | 44% | $601 | 67% | $907 |
| Kansas | 25% | $396 | 25% | $386 |
| Kentucky | 34% | $711 | 63% | $1,312 |
| Louisiana | 64% | $2,003 | 66% | $2,057 |
| Massachusetts | 27% | $472 | 27% | $472 |
| Maryland | 32% | $705 | 52% | $1,123 |
| Maine | 32% | $342 | 32% | $342 |
| Michigan | 39% | $1,517 | 47% | $1,831 |
| Minnesota | 36% | $633 | 39% | $694 |
| Missouri | 27% | $715 | 30% | $803 |
| Mississippi | 28% | $434 | 34% | $523 |
| Montana | 28% | $484 | 28% | $484 |
| North Carolina | 47% | $673 | 47% | $673 |
| North Dakota | 22% | $301 | 28% | $378 |
| Nebraska | 21% | $407 | 57% | $1,093 |
| New Hampshire | 31% | $314 | 41% | $421 |
| New Jersey | 58% | $1,300 | 67% | $1,495 |
| New Mexico | 24% | $399 | 35% | $578 |
| Nevada | 32% | $777 | 32% | $777 |
| New York | 25% | $451 | 25% | $451 |
| Ohio | 36% | $412 | 52% | $591 |
| Oklahoma | 29% | $567 | 32% | $625 |
| Oregon | 35% | $525 | 42% | $623 |
| Pennsylvania | 16% | $238 | 22% | $335 |
| Rhode Island | 31% | $587 | 48% | $917 |
| South Carolina | 25% | $451 | 29% | $532 |
| South Dakota | 41% | $654 | 46% | $734 |
| Tennessee | 39% | $530 | 58% | $795 |
| Texas | 24% | $486 | 26% | $526 |
| Utah | 30% | $485 | 29% | $473 |
| Virginia | 38% | $505 | 61% | $803 |
| Vermont | 22% | $261 | 41% | $486 |
| Washington | 50% | $750 | 56% | $834 |
| Wisconsin | 45% | $815 | 67% | $1,212 |
| West Virginia | 36% | $525 | 50% | $732 |
| Wyoming | 30% | $572 | 51% | $959 |
Cheapest car insurance company for speeding tickets
After receiving a speeding ticket, shopping around for the cheapest car insurance rates may be a good idea. While car insurance rates are likely to increase after a speeding ticket, how much it goes up depends upon the state you reside in and your insurer.
The exact increase you see for speeding will depend on your state’s laws, how fast you were driving, your driving record and your insurance company. In part, car insurance companies treat traffic tickets differently — they each assess risk using their own formula.
This means how much your insurance goes up after a speeding ticket with Progressive will look different than if your insurer is Geico.
The data table below shows how much rates increase, on average, among six top insurers for a ticket speeding 11–29 miles over the limit, according to CarInsurance.com’s data. While Allstate is the most affordable at 18%, Geico is the most expensive at 74%. See how other car insurers stack up:
- Geico – 74%
- Travelers – 47%
- Auto-Owners – 39%
- Progressive – 37%
- Farmers – 32%
- Nationwide – 31%
| Company | Clean/Base | Speeding ticket 11-29 MPH over limit | $ Difference | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geico | $1,352 | $2,356 | $1,004 | 74% |
| Travelers | $1,882 | $2,760 | $878 | 47% |
| Auto-Owners | $1,651 | $2,299 | $648 | 39% |
| Progressive | $1,933 | $2,657 | $724 | 37% |
| Farmers | $2,740 | $3,629 | $889 | 32% |
| Nationwide | $1,523 | $1,995 | $472 | 31% |
| American Family | $1,738 | $2,237 | $499 | 29% |
| State Farm | $1,672 | $2,020 | $348 | 21% |
| USAA | $1,272 | $1,525 | $253 | 20% |
| Allstate | $2,513 | $2,971 | $458 | 18% |
Remember, you may also lose a safe-driver discount if you get a speeding ticket.
Here is an example of how this might look:
- The average full coverage car insurance policy in California costs $2,207 a year.
- Most California companies offer a discount if you have a clean driving record. That discount is typically a 25% savings ($552 annually). So, using these averages, a driver with a clean driving record is paying $1,655 a year for car insurance.
- One speeding ticket could remove that discount and increase your non-discount rate of 42% to increase your premium by $920 annually. That is a rate of $3,127 per year.
What to do if you receive a speeding ticket
Even one speeding ticket will raise your insurance. If you’re curious about how much of an increase you’re going to see, it comes down to the speed differential between the speed limit and what you were driving, as evidenced in the table below:
| Driving Record | Avg. Annual Rates |
|---|---|
| Clean record/base rate | $1,986 |
| Speeding ticket 1-10 mph over the limit | $2,500 |
| Speeding ticket 11-29 mph over the limit | $2,657 |
| Speeding ticket 30+ mph over the limit | $2,848 |
When will my rate go up? Should I shop for a new policy after a ticket?
If you see an insurance rate increase after getting a speeding ticket, it’s time to shop around for a better rate. Then, when it’s time to renew your policy, you’ll be ready to switch to a cheaper option.
Also, consider taking a defensive driving course, which might save you a bit of money. Discounts might not be applicable after you get a speeding ticket — you’ll lose your good driver discount — but a ticket doesn’t stay on your driving record forever.
And if you’re really in a pinch, consider increasing your deductible. But remember, if you increase your deductible, you want to be sure you have the savings to cover it in case of an accident.
On the other side, you can opt for an accident forgiveness policy, which will be more expensive but will forgive your first accident without a rate increase.
Multiple speeding tickets can double your car insurance increase
If you get numerous speeding tickets within three years, you may be classified as a high-risk driver and therefore, have to pay much higher rates than if you were cited just once for exceeding the limit.
For instance, you’ll pay an average of 58% more after two speeding tickets (going 11 mph over the speed limit or more), a difference of more than $1,100.
Frequently asked questions: How do speeding tickets affect your insurance premiums?
Will one speeding ticket affect insurance premiums?
In general, yes, one speeding ticket will affect insurance. But how much will one speeding ticket affect insurance? You should expect an increase of 26% to 43% at your next renewal. However, some insurance companies do not increase insurance rates after one ticket — depending on how fast you are going.
Does a first-time speeding ticket affect the cost of insurance?
In most cases, a first-time speeding ticket will increase your insurance costs. But a handful of insurance companies might offer you a reprieve on a first-time offense — the rates for a speeding ticket 11–29 mph over the speed limit experience the smallest increase at Allstate, USAA, State Farm and American Family.
How much will two points affect my insurance?
There is a correlation between driver’s license points and insurance rates. A speeding ticket adds points to your license and increases insurance rates.
Remember, insurance companies determine rate increases based on your driving history, including the number and type of violations, not on the number of points. Though a high number of driver’s license points is indicative of poor driving history, the number of points does not determine a rate increase.
So, whether you earned three, four, or six points on your license, the violations that will increase your rates are based on their nature rather than the assigned points.
How much does insurance go up after a ticket for a teenager?
When a teenager gets a ticket, that adds to the risk of the driver that insurance companies perceive. Like other drivers on the road, teenage drivers who receive a ticket should expect their insurance rates to increase. Since teens pay the most for car insurance, a speeding ticket could be a costly spike.
Do I have to tell my insurance company about a speeding ticket?
Though you should not be deceitful if asked, you are not required to report a speeding ticket to your insurance company. Keep in mind that before each renewal, your insurance company will check your driving history through your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If a speeding ticket is on your driving record, your insurer will see it.
How do insurance companies find out about speeding tickets?
During your insurance renewal period, the insurer will do a variety of reviews to determine your new rate. One thing they check is your driving record, which is how they would discover speeding tickets or other traffic violations that could warrant an increase in rates.
The verdict on how much insurance rates go up after a speeding ticket
Car insurance companies use your perceived risk as a driver to determine your insurance rates. Drivers with speeding tickets and other traffic violations are considered higher risk and more likely to file claims.
With most insurers, you should expect your car insurance rates to increase after a speeding ticket at your next renewal. If you live in Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Hawaii or California, you can expect increases of 64% to 90% after a speeding ticket.
In addition to the rate increase resulting from a speeding ticket, you may also lose safe driving discounts, increasing your rate even more. The speeding ticket will show up for around three years, which means that one lapse in judgment on the road can result in years of increased premiums.
As your renewal approaches, be prepared to shop around. Any insurer who gives you a car insurance quote will know about your speeding ticket, but they may offer a lower rate than your current provider.
– Michelle Megna and Katrina Raenell contributed to this story.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to field rates from up to six major insurers in 1467 ZIP codes for a 40-year-old male driver of a 2021 Honda Accord LX with good credit and full coverage and $500 deductible; increases shown are an average from the base rate in 2024.
The editors found the percentage and amount of increase for 11–29 mph over the speed limit as well as the percentage and amount for 30+ mph over the speed limit.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Transportation NHTSA. “Risky Driving: Speeding.” Accessed July 2024.
- NOLO. “Driver’s License Point Systems.” Accessed July 2024
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Laura Longero
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Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.
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