A speeding ticket may raise your insurance rate, as can other moving violations like running a red light. If its your first speeding ticket or violation, however, it may not affect your insurance at all. It depends on how your state and insurer treat the violation. Most of the time, non-moving violations like a parking ticket won’t change your insurance rate. However, this can change from state to state and insurer to insurer.
Read the editorial guidelines for Progressive Answers auto to learn why you can trust the information here about car insurance.
We’ve all been there – a few miles per hour over the limit and you see those dreaded flashing lights in your rearview mirror. You know a speeding ticket is going to cost you time and money, but what you may not realize is how severely it can impact your auto insurance rates. A single ticket can increase your premiums by an average of 15% – 30%, and multiple tickets or a reckless driving citation can nearly double what you pay.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret though – there are ways to keep that speeding ticket off your official driving record so your insurance company never has to know about it. I’ve done tons of research and combined advice from top legal experts to bring you the 6 smartest tricks for maintaining a clean driving record after a speeding violation. Keep reading to learn how to save hundreds on car insurance despite your lead foot!
Request Driving School
Many states allow drivers to attend traffic school or defensive driving in exchange for dismissing their citations. This keeps points off your license and prevents insurers from seeing the infraction on your motor vehicle record.
The downside is you still have to pay court fees, which can run $100 – $300 depending on the severity of the violation. But avoiding 3+ years of insurance hikes is easily worth a couple hundred bucks upfront.
Some key tips for traffic school
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Request it at your court date or hearing to take advantage of this option
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Make sure the court agrees to remove the ticket from your record upon completion – get this in writing!
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Complete all requirements like classes, community service, etc. on time
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Follow up to ensure the citation was actually dismissed from your record
Negotiate with the Prosecutor
Rather than leave your fate in the judge’s hands, see if you can negotiate with the prosecutor directly. Many district attorneys are open to amending or dropping speeding tickets, especially for first-time offenses.
Schedule a meeting with the DA or prosecutor ahead of your court date. Be respectful and emphasize that a speeding conviction would drastically increase your insurance costs. Offer to plead guilty to a non-moving violation like a broken headlight in exchange for dropping the ticket.
Bring proof you fixed the equipment issue and evidence supporting your safe driving record. A clean history goes a long way in swaying prosecutors. This tactic works best for minor speeding infractions under 15 mph over.
Request Deferred Adjudication
Deferred adjudication allows you to plead guilty or no contest to the speeding ticket while serving a probationary period. If you successfully complete probation with no further violations, the ticket is dismissed and removed from your record.
This option is only available in select states and at the judge’s discretion. Speak with the prosecutor if you think you qualify. The probation term is typically 3 – 12 months.
You’ll still have to pay court costs and fines upfront. But as long as you drive violation-free, the ticket disappears once probation ends. Just be sure the court confirms the citation won’t be reported to insurance if you complete probation successfully.
Hire an Attorney
Think of a traffic attorney as damage control after a speeding violation. Experienced lawyers have relationships with court staff and know all the tricks to minimize penalties.
Common strategies they use include:
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Negotiating ticket reduction – They leverage their rapport with judges/prosecutors to get the ticket lessened to a non-moving violation that won’t impact your record or insurance
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Challenging errors – Clerical mistakes, equipment issues, improper procedure by the officer etc. can all be grounds to dismiss the ticket
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Pleading for leniency – Lawyers highlight mitigating circumstances and your otherwise clean record to gain sympathy
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Securing alternatives – Attorneys advocate for options like traffic school and deferred adjudication to protect your license
Yes, legal help adds costs upfront. But if it keeps points off your record, it quickly pays for itself through insurance savings. Shop around to find lawyers with free consultations and reasonable flat rates.
Attend Traffic School Before Your Court Date
Several states let drivers attend traffic school pre-emptively before their court hearing. Early completion looks very responsible to judges and shows you’re committed to improving as a motorist.
By completing a defensive driving course ahead of time, you can often negotiate:
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Complete dismissal of the ticket
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Reduction to a non-moving violation
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Minimal court fines
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No points on your license
To go this route, search for traffic schools approved by your state and complete the course prior to your court date. Bring the certificate of completion when you appear before the judge.
Just don’t expect the preemptive schooling trick to work more than once!
Compare Car Insurance Rates Regularly
Even if you can’t manage to get a ticket dismissed or reduced, you aren’t necessarily stuck paying jacked-up premiums long-term. Insurance companies don’t all weigh violations the same in their risk assessment.
After a few years ticket-free, shop around for providers who emphasize accident history and annual mileage more than old citations. Maintaining excellent credit also helps offset rate increases.
Quote with 4+ carriers every renewal period to find the best bang for your buck. Over time you should be able to whittle down the speeding ticket premium surcharge.
And consider switching to usage-based insurance, where rates are based primarily on driving data from telematics devices. Carriers like Progressive and StateFarm offer these programs to shift focus from past mistakes to current safe driving habits.
Drive Safely – Your Money Depends On It!
Speeding tickets happen, but don’t let one mistake haunt your insurance rates forever. Use these smart strategies to keep infractions off your motor vehicle record. Driving safely day-to-day is equally important – insurance companies reward years of violation-free driving by gradually reducing premium surcharges.
A little extra diligence on the road today pays big dividends down the line. Your wallet (and passengers) will thank you!
Will a DUI increase my insurance cost?
Yes. A DUI conviction will likely increase your insurance premium as it makes you a riskier customer to insure. Some insurers wont even sell a policy to someone with a DUI. Learn more about DUIs and insurance.
Does failing to stop or yield impact insurance too?
Your rate might go up if you get a ticket for not stopping at a stop sign or yielding to traffic when you should have. As with red-light and texting tickets, it depends on how your insurer and state treat the violation. What’s more, if you cause an accident because you didn’t stop or yield, your rate will probably go up.
How to Get Out of ANY Ticket in Court 99% of the Time
FAQ
How long does a speeding ticket stay on record in California?
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State
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Length of time a speeding ticket stays on your driving record
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California
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Three years and three months
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Colorado
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Permanently (can reduce points)
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Connecticut
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Three years
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Delaware
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Two years
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How many points is a speeding ticket in California?
Do two points affect your insurance in CA?
How many speeding tickets before suspension in California?