Many drivers fear that getting a speeding ticket will cause their car insurance rates to soar. Luckily for policyholders, this is not necessarily true.
If you are traveling a few miles per hour over the speed limit and receive a ticket, it may not impact your insurance costs at all. However, drivers that significantly exceed the limit may have consequences with their insurance provider.
Ultimately, the seriousness of your unique situation and violation will determine whether or not you’ll pay higher insurance rates in the future. We are breaking down the impact of a speeding ticket on car insurance and what you can do to avoid paying higher rates.
Again, it is a myth that a speeding ticket will automatically cause your auto insurance rates to rise astronomically. Your price may not rise at all, especially if you’ve recently renewed your policy before receiving the ticket. With that said, it is possible for the insurance provider to raise your rates if you were caught driving particularly dangerously. When insurance companies decide on your coverage rates, they will likely explore your driving record, taking any traffic violations and driver’s license points into consideration.
Providers look at your driving record to determine how much of a risk you would be to their company. A record of speeding tickets is a signifier that you are more likely to file a claim with the insurance company. If your history behind the wheel indicates that you are more likely to be in an accident, you can expect to pay higher insurance rates.
Whether or not your insurance rates rise after a speeding ticket depends on your particular insurance provider and your state laws. In Missouri, you could receive two or three points if you are driving significantly over the set speed limit. After accumulating eight or more points in 18 or fewer months, you could temporarily lose your driving privileges.
The first time you exceed eight points, you will receive a 30-day suspension. The second time will come with a 50-day suspension and a third or more times will result in 90 days without your license. Keeping track of your driver’s license points is important for maintaining your right to drive and anticipating insurance rate changes.
If you do experience an increase in insurance costs, the additional amount you’ll be paying will likely depend on your driving record, your car insurance history and the details of your infraction.
Yes! It matters how fast you were driving and how much you were exceeding the speed limit when you received your ticket. In the state of Missouri, driving at a speed of 26 or more miles per hour over the posted speed limit is considered a serious violation, and you will have to appear in court. The base fines you’ll pay will depend on the county where the infraction took place.
When your insurance provider renews your policy and sees this type of traffic violation, you can likely expect to start paying more each month for auto coverage.
If you do receive a higher insurance rate, the exact amount that your plan increases will depend on your unique coverage options and the seriousness of your speeding infraction. If you had a safe driving discount from your provider, they would likely revoke these savings after you’ve been caught speeding, making your rate even higher.
Traffic violations in Missouri fall into a few categories, depending on their severity. Getting a ticket for driving one to five miles per hour beyond the posted speed limit may impact your rates slightly. This is a serious infraction but is likely to be inconsequential to your insurance payments. Other comparable infractions include distracted driving and following the car in front of you too closely.
The further over the speed limit you were driving, the higher your rate will likely be. In Missouri, driving faster than 26 miles per hour over the speed limit will likely result in the largest increase. Similar traffic violations to excessive speeding may include:
In the United States, car insurance companies boost rates by an average of 24% after a driver receives a speeding ticket.
Speeding is one of the most common traffic violations drivers make. So, what should you do once you’ve received a ticket for exceeding the speed limit? The best way to proceed is by taking action early. You do not want to wait too long to take the next steps. Do not ignore your ticket, or you could face one of the following consequences:
You have a few options once you get a speeding ticket. The first thing you should do is determine whether or not you are interested in fighting the ticket. If you believe that you are not guilty of speeding, you can go to court and dispute the infraction. In some cases, you may be able to eliminate or reduce any fines or points added to your license.
If you choose to fight the ticket, you will have to make a court appearance. You can work with an attorney or represent yourself for the case. Having an experienced lawyer can be highly beneficial if you are facing the possibility of losing your driving privileges.
If you do not want to fight the ticket, you’ll want to pay your fine as soon as possible. Luckily, there are generally multiple ways for you to submit your payment. In Missouri, you can typically pay either online, by mail, over the phone or in person.
The answer is a little complicated. Generally, insurance providers will overlook the first speeding offense on your driving record, but this is not always the case. If you were significantly exceeding the posted speed limit when you got your first speeding ticket, then your auto insurance rate will likely see an increase.
After getting pulled over for speeding for the first time, you can expect to pay a fine. For serious offenses, you may have to go to court and deal with the consequences of your driving record.
If you want to keep your car insurance rates as low as possible, it is important to drive with caution. Review the speed limit for every street you travel on and practice good time management skills so you don’t feel rushed on the roadways. Do your best to avoid even the most minor traffic violations if you’ve just received a speeding ticket.
As a reminder, the following are common traffic violations to avoid when trying to keep your driving record clean:
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A speeding violation will not show up on your insurance immediately. In many cases, you won’t see a change in your plan’s rate until it is time to renew your policy with your insurance provider.
During the renewal process, the insurance company will review your driving record and gauge other factors that contribute to your auto insurance rates, including:
The insurance provider will use all this information to determine how much of a safe driver you are and how risky it is to insure you. This is the standard for companies that extend auto coverage.
How long your speeding ticket will affect your insurance premium will vary according to your state and insurance company. In Missouri, points for traffic tickets remain on your driving record for three years after the conviction before being dropped. You can expect to pay more until those points are gone.
Depending on the seriousness of your traffic violation, the points could be on your record and, therefore, impact your insurance premiums for longer.
A common question people have when considering how speeding impacts insurance rates is what happens if you get a ticket while driving in another state. Whether you are traveling over the state border for work, an event or a vacation, you must pay attention to the posted speed limits and road rules. Getting a ticket out-of-state for driving too fast can impact your insurance premium.
Anytime you are ticketed for moving violations, whether in or out of your home state, it might affect your rates. One upside is that if you get points in one state, they do not transfer to another. If the infraction is serious enough, it will impact insurance, but points will not go on your Missouri license.
You do not need to report your traffic violation to your auto insurance provider immediately after getting your ticket. With that said, you will need to be honest and disclose any infractions when it is time to renew your policy. They will see the ticket and any points that you received on your driving record.
Most insurance companies will access your driving record through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The state’s DMV keeps your unique motor vehicle report on file. The insurer will obtain this report and use the information in your driving history to determine your quote. Being honest with your provider is important because they can easily see your driving violations when they need to.
If you’ve gotten a speeding ticket and you want to combat rising insurance rates, there is some hope. You may be able to lower your monthly costs by doing one or more of the following:
One way to potentially reduce your insurance costs is to inquire about available discounts with your provider. You may be able to cut costs, depending on the insurance company’s guidelines. Even minor updates like choosing paperless payments may help you reduce your insurance rate by a few dollars.
That said, eligibility for many car insurance discounts depends on your driving history, and a speeding ticket could compromise your chances.
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Another way to reduce your car insurance rate is to explore different options. Don’t be afraid to shop around. Look for a flexible auto insurance provider that allows you to bundle multiple policies and save.
Ask about possible deals, and compare each option to uncover which provider is most cost-effective for your car insurance needs.
In Missouri, it takes three years without getting any other traffic violations for the points from a speeding ticket to drop off your driving record.
If you are eager to get points off your record earlier (and avoid insurance rate hikes), you may be able to do so by participating in an eligible safe driving course. In fact, you may be able to have a speeding ticket dismissed by completing the Driver Improvement Program in the state of Missouri. You can complete the course online through the American Safety Institute.
Once you finish the program, you’ll need to fill out a Missouri Department of Revenue Form 4444. This document functions as a record of your participation and completion of the Driver Improvement Program.
While careful driving will not immediately lower your car insurance premiums after receiving a speeding ticket, exercising caution and abiding by the law will help you get back in good graces with your insurer. Many companies offer safe driver discounts that work as an incentive for better driving. Avoid getting additional violations and drive vigilantly if you want to lower your insurance in the long run.
Other tips for safe driving:
The longer you drive without any infractions on your record, the lower your insurance rates will be when it is time to renew.
If you are in Missouri and looking for a new auto insurance plan, turn to David Pope Insurance. As your trusted provider for insurance, we also offer home, life and commercial coverage. With more than 20 years of experience, we can answer all your important insurance questions.
We are a family-owned company, and our team of local agents is here to help you save money on high-quality insurance. We accept individuals with different driving records and allow you to bundle your policies.
Are you ready to get started? Explore our Auto Insurance Guide, or request a free quote from David Pope Insurance today.
