How does a speeding ticket affect your auto insurance?

Answer 1

• If you are over twenty five and this is the only ticket on your record in the last three years it will make little difference on your auto insurance rates. Insurance companies do not necessarily review your driving record every year. It is checked when you first apply and then it depends on the policy of that particular company.

• The problems will start with your second ticket. That is why it is important to keep any and all tickets off your record. Many states will allow you to take traffic school or they have a deferment program.

• Check the laws in your state to see what options are available. In most cases just showing up on your court date will allow you to negotiate for a reduction in the fine and points.

• If you drive a company vehicle or have a CDL license it is very important to keep your driving record clean because the records of these drivers are checked every year.

• As a general rule you can expect one four point ticket to increase your insurance premiums by at least 50% for each of the next three years. In many cases it is cost effective to retain an attorney to contest the ticket.

• There are too many individual factors to predict how much, if any, this one speeding ticket will increase the insurance premiums for the entire family. It depends on the number of cars, number of drivers and their MVR's, the insurance carrier, previous losses and state law. Many insurance companies will not check your MVR every year unless there is a change to the policy. If they do not check, then your rates will not change. Typically insurance companies only check high risk drivers and those who drive a company vehicle every year.

I'd also add that it entirely depends on which conviction you receive. Depending on your situation you could receive a more serious conviction or receive a lesser one.

Visit the Related Links for a list of all convictions and the points (seriousness) of each conviction for the UK.