Paul Sanchez
Getting a speeding ticket can be a costly mistake, with insurance rates increasing by an average of 17% after a first offence. However, there are several ways to prevent a speeding ticket from impacting your insurance. While you don't have to report a ticket to your insurance company, they will find out when they next check your driving record. To avoid this, you can contest the ticket, hire a lawyer to fight it, or take a defensive driving course to have it removed from your record. If you get a continuance to delay your court hearing, the officer who wrote the citation may no longer be employed, resulting in automatic dismissal. You can also shop around for a new insurer, as not all companies treat tickets the same when it comes to pricing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reporting a speeding ticket to the insurance company | Not mandatory but insurance companies check driving records regularly |
| Cost of keeping a speeding ticket off the record | No direct cost but attorney fees, court fees, and driving course fees may apply |
| Impact of a speeding ticket on insurance rates | Speeding tickets increase insurance rates by an average of 39% |
| First-time speeding ticket | May not affect insurance rates |
| Multiple speeding tickets | Higher insurance premiums |
| Fighting a speeding ticket | Contest the ticket, hire a lawyer, or request a continuance to delay the court hearing |
| Defensive driving course | May reduce the number of points on the license and provide an insurance discount |
| Traffic school | May keep the ticket off the driving record |
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What You'll Learn
Contest the ticket
Contesting a ticket means pleading not guilty and going to court to argue against it. You can do this by yourself or with a lawyer. This strategy is a long shot and should be reserved for major moving violations or instances where you have solid evidence, such as dashcam footage, that proves you were not in the wrong.
If you choose to contest your ticket, you will need to pay court fees, which vary by jurisdiction. You will also need to pay attorney fees if you decide to hire a lawyer, which can cost $200 to $500.
When contesting a ticket, you can ask the officer questions about their memory and training with speed-clocking equipment. You can also ask them to explain the method they used to determine that you were speeding. It is important to stick to questions with short answers and avoid asking "why" questions.
If the officer who issued the ticket does not show up at the hearing, you may be acquitted. However, this is not guaranteed, and you should be prepared to make your case and be questioned by a judge.
If you are a first-time offender, it is worth trying to fight the ticket. You may be offered a plea bargain, such as completing a defensive driving course and submitting proof of completion to have the ticket dismissed.
Keep in mind that even if you get the ticket dismissed, you may still have to pay legal fees, driving school costs, or other penalties.
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Complete a defensive driving course
Defensive driving courses are available in several states, including Texas, New York, New Jersey, California, and Florida. The cost and time commitment vary by course, though most states now offer such courses online, to be completed at your own pace. Your local DMV should be able to provide you with a list of approved courses.
To use a defensive driving course for ticket dismissal, you must first receive notice from the court system that you are eligible to take the course for this purpose. The court will typically establish a deadline by which the course must be completed. Once you've completed the course, you'll receive a certificate of completion, which you must send to the court and/or your insurance company.
In some states, attending and passing a defensive driving course will result in your ticket being removed from your record entirely. In other states, the violation will still appear on your record, but it will be changed to a non-moving violation, such as a "speedometer violation," which carries less weight.
In New York, for example, completing a defensive driving course will reduce the number of points on your license and automatically qualify you for a 10% car insurance discount. However, the ticket will remain on your record.
It's important to note that defensive driving courses may not prevent your insurance company from finding out about your ticket. Insurance companies are not immediately notified when a ticket hits your record, and they typically only check your record on a yearly basis. Therefore, if you can get the ticket dismissed before the insurance company pulls your record, you may be able to avoid a premium increase completely.
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Delay the court hearing
Delaying a court hearing for a speeding ticket is a valid strategy to keep the ticket off your insurance record. Firstly, you should be aware that you typically have at least 30 days to pay the fine or enter a plea, so use this time to explore your options.
One way to delay the court hearing is to request a continuance, which can push back the hearing by several weeks or months. This gives you more time to prepare and increases the chances of your case being thrown out or getting a more favourable punishment. During this time, circumstances can change; for example, the officer who wrote the citation may transfer, retire, or quit before your hearing, which could result in an automatic dismissal if they do not show up. Additionally, insurance rates are determined at the time of renewal, so delaying the ticket until after your next policy renewal may help you avoid rate increases until the following year.
Another strategy is to hire a lawyer, who can help delay the court date by creating a busy schedule. This can be an effective way to buy yourself more time and increase the chances of a favourable outcome. However, keep in mind that hiring a lawyer comes with additional costs, and you will need to pay their fees.
While delaying the court hearing can be beneficial, it is important to consult with a legal professional before implementing this strategy. Additionally, be mindful that delaying tactics may not always work, and your insurance rates could still increase if the case proceeds to trial and you are found guilty.
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Shop around for a new insurer
If you have received a speeding ticket, it is a good idea to shop around for a new insurer. This is because each insurance company assesses risk differently and has its own point system for traffic violations. An offense that causes your rates to soar at one insurance company might have a much smaller impact on another.
For example, some companies won't raise your rates after a single minor violation, while others will. Some insurers in one analysis more than doubled their rates for drivers with a speeding ticket, while others seemed to shrug it off. Several smaller, regional insurers, including Idaho Farm Bureau, Maryland Auto Insurance, and Umialik, showed no difference in car insurance rates for drivers with or without a speeding ticket. Among the nation's largest car insurance companies, State Farm had the smallest average rate hike after a speeding ticket: around $22 more a month. The biggest increase among large insurers came from Farmers.
Therefore, it is worth comparing car insurance quotes from multiple insurers to see if any other insurers will offer you a better deal. You can use online quote comparison tools, such as the ones offered by Insurance.com and NerdWallet, to see multiple quotes from top insurance companies in one place.
However, it is important to note that a speeding ticket may not always affect your insurance rates. If it is your first speeding ticket, it may not impact your insurance at all, depending on your state and insurer. Additionally, non-moving violations, such as parking tickets, typically do not affect your insurance rates.
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Check for discounts
If you've received a speeding ticket, you're probably worried about how it will affect your insurance rate. The good news is that there are strategies you can try to minimize the impact on your insurance rate and even keep the ticket off your record entirely.
First, it's important to understand how speeding tickets affect your insurance. When you get a speeding ticket, it raises a red flag for your insurer. Speeding is considered a risky behavior, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it has been a factor in about one-third of all motor vehicle accidents for over two decades. As a result, insurance companies typically view speeding tickets as an indicator that you are more likely to be involved in an accident and file a claim. This leads to an increase in your insurance premiums.
The impact of a speeding ticket on your insurance rate can vary depending on several factors, including your age, vehicle type, theft features, driving record, and the state you live in. On average, a speeding ticket can increase your insurance rates by 15% to 39%. However, if it's your first speeding ticket, it may not affect your insurance rate at all, especially if it's your first violation in a few years.
Now, let's talk about checking for discounts. Most insurance companies offer a variety of discounts, and it's important to explore all the available options. Here are some key points to consider:
- Defensive Driving Courses: Taking a state-approved defensive driving course is one of the most effective ways to reduce the impact of a speeding ticket. These courses are available in many states, including Texas, New Jersey, California, and Florida, and can often be completed online at your own pace. In some states, completing a defensive driving course can result in a reduction of points on your license and may even qualify you for a car insurance discount. For example, in New York, a defensive driving course automatically qualifies you for a 10% car insurance discount, although the ticket will remain on your record.
- Traffic School: Depending on the state you live in, you may have the option to attend traffic school instead of getting points on your driving record. This can help keep the ticket off your record and prevent insurance rate increases. However, most states have limitations on how many tickets can be removed by attending traffic school, and you may only be able to remove one new moving violation every 12 to 18 months.
- Bundling Insurance: Another way to obtain a discount is by bundling your homeowners or renters insurance with your car insurance. This is often the quickest way to secure a discount on your insurance policy.
- Shop Around for Insurers: If your current insurer increases your rate due to the speeding ticket, you can explore other insurance providers who may offer you a better deal. Different insurance companies have varying rates and policies, so shopping around can help you find a more affordable option.
- Ask Your Agent: Contact your insurance agent to inquire about any potential discounts you may be eligible for. They can guide you through the options available to you and help you lower your insurance rate.
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Frequently asked questions
A speeding ticket will increase your insurance rates by an average of 15% to 39%. The exact amount will depend on your age, vehicle type, theft features installed, driving record, insurance history, and how fast you were going when you were pulled over.
You can try to contest the ticket, or complete a defensive driving course to remove it from your record. If you are issued multiple tickets, both tickets will go on your record, increasing your insurance rates dramatically.
No, you don't have to report a speeding ticket to your insurance company. However, car insurance companies regularly check your driving record and will find out about your ticket.
You can shop around for a new insurer, check for discounts with your current insurer, or adjust your coverage types, amounts, or features to lower your costs.
