It happens to the best of us. You’re in a hurry, or maybe you just didn’t notice the speed limit change. Before you have time to compute what just happened, you see lights in your rearview mirror.
Beyond the frustration of the traffic stop itself, another potential stressor is the uncertainty of what comes next. Will your insurance rates spike? Will your insurer drop you at renewal?
If you are worried about the connection between a speeding ticket and car insurance, we understand your concern. However, there’s no need to panic. While a ticket often leads to higher premiums, it doesn’t have to strain your budget if you know how to handle it.
The Real Impact on Your Car Insurance Rates
Let’s be honest: insurance companies are in the business of managing risk. From their perspective, a moving violation suggests a higher likelihood of an accident. As a result, most drivers will see an increase in their premiums at renewal time.
However, the relationship between car insurance and speeding tickets isn’t a one-size-fits-all penalty. The precise relationship between your violation and the cost of your insurance depends on several factors, including:
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The Severity of Your Violation:
Going 5-10 mph over the limit is viewed very differently than reckless driving or going 25+ mph over.
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Your Driving History:
If this is your first ticket in years, many carriers will “forgive” it or only raise your rate slightly. The real pain comes if you have past tickets. A second violation often causes a massive spike because you get hit twice: you get a surcharge for the new ticket, plus you lose your “Good Driver Discount,” which was likely saving you a huge chunk of money.
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Your Insurance Carrier:
This is the most important factor. Standard “preferred” carriers often have stricter guidelines. While they may just hike your rate by 20% to 30% for a minor ticket, they can refuse to renew your policy entirely if the violation is serious or if you have multiple tickets on your record.
What To Do After Getting a Traffic Ticket
A ticket on your record is, unfortunately, a setback. But it does not need to be a permanent setback. Here are three steps you can take immediately to protect your finances after getting a traffic ticket.
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Explore Court Supervision
Before you just pay the fine, check your options. In many states (including Illinois), you may be eligible for court supervision or a defensive driving course. Completing these can sometimes prevent the conviction from appearing on your public driving record, meaning your insurance carrier might never see it.
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Don’t Let Your Coverage Lapse
When rates go up, some drivers make the mistake of canceling their policy out of frustration before lining up a new one. Do not do this. A lapse in coverage is often viewed more negatively by insurers than the speeding ticket itself.
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Switch to a High-Risk Specialist
Loyalty doesn’t always pay. If your current insurer treats you like a liability because of one mistake, it’s time to move on. Agencies that specialize in high-risk drivers work with carriers that are much more lenient regarding traffic violations.
How Accurate Helps Drivers with Tickets Find the Cheapest Rates
At Accurate Auto Insurance, we specialize in securing affordable coverage for drivers with “imperfect” records. We know that a ticket doesn’t make you a bad driver, and it shouldn’t price you out of owning a car. Drivers with tickets choose to work with us for the following reasons.
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We Know Where to Look:
We work with a network of carriers that are more lenient with moving violations. While big-name competitors might penalize you heavily for a ticket, we can match you with a provider that will not hold it against you to the same extent.
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We Shop For You:
You don’t have time to call twenty different companies to see who will accept your driving record. We do the comparison shopping for you to ensure you get the cheapest car insurance available, regardless of your ticket history.
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We Provide Instant Solutions:
Did your previous carrier drop you because of a violation? We can get you approved and email your ID cards in under 4 minutes, ensuring you don’t have a lapse in coverage.
Learn more about how we help drivers get car insurance at affordable rates.
Get a Quote (and Peace of Mind) in Minutes
A speeding ticket is a bump in the road, not a dead end. If you are worried about your next bill, let us help you compare your options. You can either …
- Get a quote online, or
- Call us to speak with a specialist who understands your situation!
We look forward to helping you.
