A speeding ticket can be a costly fine. It also can impact your auto insurance rates. In most cases, your auto insurance provider will know that you were speeding. In some cases, it may not cause any real difference in your insurance rates. In others, it can because it is a form of reckless driving. Here’s what you need to know about speeding tickets.
Will Your Insurer Really Know?
There are systems in place that allow the car insurance provider to know if you have any moving violations. Remember, your motor vehicle record is accessible by your insurance company. Some insurance companies routinely check this report to see how their drivers are doing. This is common just before renewing your policy with you. In other cases, if you get a ticket, you might have to
When Will It Impact Your Rates?
If you have no other moving violations on your driving record, it may not impact you. However, there are a few situations where a speeding ticket is likely to cause your insurer to raise your costs. In severe cases, such as where the incident led to a significant injury or death, your insurer may drop your coverage, or increase your premiums. Here are a few examples.
- You were speeding at a very fast rate. Often, speeding in excess of 20 or more miles per hour can make this a severe situation, leading to a rate increase.
- You have several other incidents of speeding on your record. Car insurance companies put a lot of focus on patterns of behavior.
- The accident (that triggered the ticket) led to significant damage or loss for the other party. This means the insurer might have had to pay out a large amount of money to cover the incident.
Speeding is not something that happens very often without the driver knowing it’s occurring. You make a choice to speed. In other words, by taking actions to be a safe driver, you can avoid having these types of incidents impact your car insurance rates.
Your auto insurance provider will know about your speeding ticket. If you do see a rate increase, ask your agent about taking a driving education course. Some may allow you to complete an approved course to receive a discount on your insurance rates. This is not always the case. Be sure to verify it with your agent before you enroll in any program. Practicing safe driving can help ensure you remain safe on the road.