- Your auto insurance rates are determined by reviewing several different risk factors that represent your probability of filing a claim in the future
- One important risk factor that insurance companies use to determine whether or not you’re likely to have a loss is your driving record
- If you have speeding tickets on your driving record, the insurer is free to surcharge your rates for up to three years after the conviction has been reported on your Motor Vehicle Report
- Surcharges vary by company and by state, but the average surcharge for a speeding ticket is around 15 percent of your premiums
- If you have multiple speeding tickets, you can lose Good Driver discounts that are offered by insurers in most states
When you get cited for speeding, you’re ordered to appear in court or pay your fine by mail. If you pay the fine, you’re admitting guilt, and the citation will turn into a conviction on your driving record. After you pay your fine, you may be done in court, but you aren’t done paying the cost of driving above the posted speed limit.
Speeding tickets can have a major effect on the cost of your insurance — whether or not your rates go up will depend on your age, your gender, your driving record, your accident history, and the state that you live in.
If you’re curious to learn how long your insurance rates could go up after a speeding ticket, read on to find out how long surcharges can last.
Start comparison shopping if your rates have increased. Just enter your zip code into our FREE tool to ensure you’re getting the best rate!
What factors have an effect on the price of auto insurance?
There’s a long list of individual risk factors that are used to determine the cost of a policy. Actuarial studies show that each factor can either increase the likelihood of filing a claim or decrease that risk. Here are some of the factors that are used by most insurance companies:
- Age and gender
- Years of driving experience
- Marital status
- Credit-based insurance score
- Vehicle type and safety record
- Location and garaging zip code
- Accident history
- Driving record
- Driving patterns
- Annual mileage
Why does your driving record affect your insurance rates?
The only time a speeding ticket will cost your insurer money is when your speeding results in a collision. While a speeding ticket alone doesn’t cost the insurer money, it can cost you in the form of higher insurance rates.
Insurance carriers can charge you a surcharge even when the infraction didn’t result in a claim because traffic convictions increase your likelihood of having an accident in the future.
Since drivers with speeding tickets are riskier in the eyes of the insurer, they will pay higher rates than those with clear records.
How long do speeding tickets raise your rates?
After the surcharge is added, it can stay on your policy for up to 36 months. It will then fall off at the nearest renewal after the three years has passed. Some tickets can carry a surcharge for longer periods of time for more serious violations like reckless driving and driving under the influence.
How much will your rates go up after a speeding ticket?
The surcharge for a speeding ticket depends on how fast you were going over the limit.
If you are cited for going 1 to 29 miles per hour over the speed limit, you could face an average surcharge of between 11 to 12 percent. If you are convicted of going 30 miles per hour over the speed limit, the surcharge goes up to around 15 percent.
Speeding Tickets Can Affect Your Discounts
Just because a surcharge can fall off your policy after three years doesn’t mean that the ticket can’t still affect your rates. If you have other moving violations or past claims, an old ticket can disqualify you from receiving Good Driver and Accident-free discounts.
Be sure to review the qualifications for these hefty discounts so that you know what to expect. If you’re convicted of driving over the speed limit, it is in your best interest to take traffic school when you’re eligible.
If you’re not happy with the price of your auto insurance, make sure to compare rates with other carriers before you accept a high surcharge. Use our FREE online rate comparison tool to price shop, and find out which carrier offers drivers with speeding infractions the best rates.
from Auto Insurance | Compare Cheap Online Auto Insurance Quotes http://ift.tt/293rJbt
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