(3-minute read) For most adults, driving is an every day part of life. Whether you’re making your daily commute to work or going on a weekend road trip, driving is probably the easiest and most convenient way to for you to get around. Unfortunately, to get from point A to point B, many people tend to drive over the speed limit. Maybe you were running late to a dentist appointment or to your kid’s dance recital, but now, like 1 in 6 other Americans, you have to deal with a speeding ticket.
Get the Facts About Speeding Tickets
Speeding tickets are one of the most common traffic violations. If you think about it, do you know anyone that always drives under the speed limit? (If you do, they’re the exception.) In fact, about 41 million speeding tickets are issued every day in the United States, meaning there’s one issued almost every second.
Check out these speeding ticket facts from CreditDonkey:
Men are more likely than women to get a speeding ticket, especially young male drivers.- Approximately 56% of men and 43% of women were able to talk themselves out of getting a ticket.
- About 30% of all traffic deaths are caused by a speeding driver each year.
- Approximately 35% of speed-related accidents occurred along minor roads, compared to 30% on major highways.
According to Insurify, these 10 states have the highest percentage of speeding violations:
- South Carolina
- Iowa
- Virginia
- Ohio
- North Dakota
- Wyoming
- Wisconsin
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Nebraska
How Long Does A Speeding Ticket Stay On My Driving Record?
A speeding ticket does leave its mark on your driving record. It will stay there for about 3-5 years depending on the state you live in. For example, in California, speeding tickets remain on your driving record for 3 years. However, drivers residing in Massachusetts will have a speeding ticket on their record for 5 years.
The first consequence of receiving a speeding ticket is paying a fine. That fine will vary depending on how many miles per hour you were driving over the speed limit and what state you were driving in. In California, the average cost of a speeding ticket is $710, including court costs and other associated penalties. However, that cost doesn’t include the hike in your Car Insurance rate.
If you accumulate several speeding tickets or other traffic citations in a short period of time, you may face more consequences than a fine. Not only will your Auto Insurance rates increase, but your insurance company may even cancel your policy. Additionally, your license could get suspended. In Minnesota, for example, your license will be suspended after four traffic violations in a one-year period. This would make Car Insurance companies warier to insure you, and even if they do, your premium will probably cost you an arm and a leg.
Why Do Speeding Tickets Affect My Auto Insurance?
Your driving record is one of the main factors that Auto Insurance companies take into consideration when calculating your rate. That’s why a speeding ticket affects your insurance so significantly. Typically, you will see a rate increase once your policy is up for renewal. That’s generally the time when insurance companies review your driving record and will discover your speeding ticket. On average, someone 25-34 years old will see a 12% increase on their Car Insurance premium for a speeding ticket in which they were driving 15-29 mph over the speed limit. That percentage varies by state and age group.
It’s possible that you may receive a break if you get a speeding ticket and it’s the first moving violation on your driving record, or if you were driving less than 15 mph over the speed limit. Depending on your insurance company, they may not increase your rate in these cases. However, if a single speeding ticket does increase your Auto Insurance rates, then any additional moving violations will result in even higher premiums. Typically, the more severely your state classifies marks on your driving record, the likelier that your insurance company will increase your premium due to a speeding ticket.
How To Remove A Speeding Ticket From Your Record
Sometimes you’re simply not paying close enough attention to the speed limit of the road you’re driving on. Or, maybe you’re on a street where the speed limit drops unexpectedly after a certain intersection. Whatever the case may be, there a few things you can do to attempt to remove a speeding ticket from your driving record.
Contest the Ticket. In most cases, it’s your word against the police officer’s that issued your ticket. It might be a long shot, but if you win your case, your speeding ticket won’t go on your driving record. That means your Auto Insurance company won’t increase your rates.- Complete a Defensive Driving Course. There are some states that will drop a moving violation from your record if you take a defensive driving course. Nowadays, online courses are usually available, too. You’ll have to pay for the course, but that cost will probably be less than the speeding ticket fine and insurance rate increase.
- Slow Down. In other words, don’t get another speeding ticket. Always pay attention to the speed limit of the road you’re driving on, and don’t go over it. Adding another speeding ticket to your driving record is the last thing you want to do.
How Can I Lower My Auto Insurance Rate?
If you recently incurred a speeding ticket and experienced a Car Insurance rate increase, don’t fret too much. Auto Insurance companies calculate rates differently, so there are a few ways you may be able to lower your premium.
- Switch Insurers. If you only have one speeding ticket or moving violation on your record, one insurance company may increase your rate while another may not. Switching companies after incurring a speeding ticket can result in a lower premium.
Compare Rates. Maybe this is your second speeding ticket. Most companies will increase your premium at that point. However, rates vary per insurance company, so it’s still a good idea to shop around. You may find that one company only increases your rate by a little while another increases your rate by hundreds.- Take a Defensive Driving Course. Even if you couldn’t get your ticket removed from your record by taking a driving course, you may still be able to receive a discount on your Car Insurance.
- Look For Additional Discounts. Speak with an agent to see if you qualify for any additional discounts. Insuring multiple cars under one company can result in a discount. There are also discounts offered for good students, certain occupations, common car safety features and more.
Call AIS Today
If you’ve recently experienced a rate increase due to a speeding ticket or for any other reason, call one of our Insurance Specialists at (855) 919-4247. We can help you find the most affordable rate possible without sacrificing the coverage you need. Comparing top insurance companies in minutes is what we do best. We also help you find discounts and bundles, so contact us today to see if you qualify for a lower Auto Insurance rate.
The information in this article is obtained from various sources. This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. It should not replace manuals or instructions or the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here. Such policy will be governed by the language contained therein, and no warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.
