If you’ve ever been pulled over for speeding or found a parking ticket stuck to your windshield, you may have wondered: Will this affect my car insurance rates? The short answer: speeding tickets can impact your insurance premiums, but parking tickets usually don’t.
Still, the details matter—and that’s where things get interesting. Let’s break it down.
Key Takeaways
- Speeding tickets and moving violations can increase your insurance rates.
- Parking tickets and non-moving violations usually don’t affect your rates.
- The impact depends on your state laws, insurer policies, and driving record.
How Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance
A single speeding ticket may not hurt your wallet too much, but repeat offenses usually will. Here’s the deal:
- One speeding ticket in three years: Depending on your insurer and state, you might not see a rate increase at all.
- Two or more speeding tickets: Expect your premium to rise. Insurance companies view multiple violations as a sign of risky driving.
Your rate hike also depends on factors like your insurance company, driving history, and how fast you were going when you got caught. For example, driving 10 mph over the limit may be treated more leniently than going 25+ mph over.
👉 According to Insurance Information Institute, drivers with violations typically pay 25% more for coverage than those with clean records.
How Much Does Insurance Go Up After a Speeding Ticket?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some insurers may barely raise your rates after one ticket, while others could bump your premium significantly. On average, a single speeding ticket might increase your insurance by 10% to 20%, but again—it depends on your insurer.
When Does a Speeding Ticket Affect Your Policy?
You might not notice a change right away. Insurers typically review your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) at policy renewal. So, if you got a ticket today but your policy renews in three months, that’s when you may see the higher premium.
💡 Pro tip: If you’re currently receiving a safe driver discount, expect to lose it after a speeding ticket.
How Long Do Speeding Tickets Stay on Your Record?
Usually 3 to 5 years, but it depends on your state. For example:
- California: 3 years
- New York: Up to 4 years
- Virginia: 5 years
Even if the violation drops from your state record, insurers may still ask about recent tickets when you request a quote.
You can check your state’s rules on the DMV website.
Other Moving Violations That Can Raise Insurance Rates
It’s not just speeding. Any moving violation can increase your rates, depending on how your state handles it. Most states use a point system, where each violation adds points to your license.
For example:
- Arizona: 3 points for speeding
- Florida: 4 points for reckless driving
- New Jersey: 2 points for failure to yield
The more points, the riskier you appear to insurers. Even if your insurer doesn’t directly use points, your record still tells the story.
Here’s how some common violations play out:
- Texting and Driving: Some states ban insurers from factoring these tickets into rates, while others treat them as minor violations. Check your state law here.
- Red-Light Camera Tickets: Depending on the state, these may or may not affect insurance.
- Failure to Stop/Yield: If it causes an accident, expect your rates to rise.
- Out-of-State Tickets: Yep, they can follow you home. Always pay them, or you could face legal trouble later.
The Big One: DUI and Insurance Rates
A DUI conviction is one of the most damaging violations for your insurance. Not only will your premium skyrocket, but some insurers won’t cover you at all.
Learn more about DUI insurance consequences from NHTSA.
Do Parking Tickets Affect Insurance?
Here’s some good news: parking tickets won’t raise your car insurance rates. They’re considered non-moving violations and usually don’t go on your driving record.
But beware—ignoring parking tickets can cause bigger problems. Many states will block your vehicle registration renewal until tickets are paid. And driving with an expired registration could land you another fine.
Other Non-Moving Violations
Things like:
- Broken taillights
- Expired registration
- Illegal parking
Generally, these won’t impact your insurance rate. Still, it’s smart to take care of them promptly, since unpaid violations can lead to late fees or legal headaches.
How to Lower Your Insurance Rate After a Ticket
Got a ticket? Don’t panic—you still have options.
- Shop Around: Different insurers weigh tickets differently. Use a comparison tool like The Zebra to check quotes.
- Take a Defensive Driving Course: In some states, completing an approved class can remove points from your record or prevent an increase.
- Ask About Forgiveness Programs: Some insurers offer accident or violation forgiveness for long-time safe drivers.
- Improve Driving Habits: Apps like Progressive’s Snapshot® reward good driving with discounts.
Final Thoughts
So, do speeding or parking tickets affect insurance rates?
- Speeding and other moving violations: Yes, they usually raise your premiums.
- Parking tickets and non-moving violations: No, they generally don’t.
At the end of the day, your driving record is one of the biggest factors insurers look at. A single ticket isn’t the end of the world, but a pattern of violations will definitely cost you.
If you’ve been hit with a ticket recently, compare insurance quotes and consider a defensive driving course—it could save you hundreds.
