How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance In Illinois
Drivers in Illinois can see their insurance premiums rise by 31% if they are caught speeding.
We’ve saved shoppers an average of $600 per year on their car insurance.
As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 36% of traffic deaths in Illinois were caused by speeding. This percentage was higher than average as compared to other US states. This means that speeding related crashes have been quite common in Illinois.
With nine years as a licensed insurance agent, I’ve assisted many drivers in finding auto insurance to handle the effects of a speeding ticket. You can still find affordable auto insurance even if you have a ticket. Let me share how a speeding ticket can influence your car insurance in Illinois.
Key Takeaways
Typically, drivers in Illinois see their car insurance rates go up by 28-35% after just one speeding ticket. The exact increase can vary based on the driver’s insurance provider, their driving record, and how serious the speeding offense was.
In Illinois, the real cost of a speeding ticket can exceed $1,100 when you factor in higher insurance rates over three years.
Most people who get speeding tickets are categorized as violators of minor offenses, meaning they usually don’t have to go to court or serve jail time.
Do Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance In Illinois?
Driving too fast in Illinois can cost you both your time and money. A speeding ticket can significantly raise your car insurance costs. On average, if you get a speeding ticket in Illinois, your insurance can increase by around 31%.
How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance In Illinois
Keeping a clean driving record can help reduce your insurance rates. However, just one mistake, like a speeding ticket, can increase your car insurance costs. The rise in rates can be significant, depending on the insurance company.
Here are some examples of how one speeding ticket can impact your insurance rates and how different companies may react.
| Provider | Clean Record | Speeding Ticket | Increase |
| Safe Auto | $2,511 | $3,339 | 32% |
| Erie | $1,229 | $1,350 | 9% |
| Safeco | $710 | $912 | 25% |
| Country Financial | $1,640 | $2,175 | 34% |
| Progressive | $2,074 | $2,930 | 39% |
Insurance rates can vary due to factors like your driving history, where you live, your gender, and any previous claims. If you get a speeding ticket, it can impact these factors differently, especially based on how serious the ticket is.
After receiving a speeding ticket, you can compare insurance quotes. Looking around can help you find the best rate from different insurers.
Important: In Illinois, about 70% of drivers acknowledge that they often exceed the speed limit, despite knowing it’s unsafe and against the law.
How To Lower Your Premiums After A Ticket
Receiving a speeding ticket in Illinois will increase your insurance rates. However, there are ways to reduce your car insurance costs, even after you get a ticket. Here’s how to find affordable car insurance in Illinois.
Get Minimum Coverage
Opting for minimum coverage can help lower your insurance premium after receiving a speeding ticket. Minimum coverage typically costs less than full coverage, which means you’ll pay a lower monthly premium. While it may not provide as much protection in case of an accident, it can be a budget-friendly option if you’re trying to manage higher costs after a violation.
The minimum coverage required by Illinois state includes $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident and $20,000 for property damage per accident.
Find Discount Options
When dealing with higher insurance rates after a speeding ticket, it’s a good idea to look for discounts that can help lower your premium. Many insurance companies offer various discounts for safe driving, bundling multiple policies, or even for having certain safety features in your car. Additionally, you may qualify for discounts based on your profession, membership in certain organizations, or completing a defensive driving course.
Choose A Cheaper Insurance
One of the smartest steps drivers can take after getting a speeding ticket is to compare rates from different insurance companies in the area. Their current provider might not offer the best rates. Insurance companies such as Pekin, Erie, Safeco, USAA, and State Farm offer the lowest rates for drivers after they receive a speeding ticket.
Note: You might also face points on your license, bail, and the possibility of jail time for Class A or Class B misdemeanors.
Does A First-Time Speeding Ticket Affect Insurance?
A first-time speeding ticket can affect your insurance in Illinois. Auto insurance companies often view speeding tickets as a sign of risky driving, which can lead to higher premiums. However, the impact on your rates may vary depending on your insurance provider and your overall driving record. It’s a good idea to check with your insurer to understand how a ticket might change your rates.
Tip: In Illinois, speeds between 1-25 MPH over the limit are classified as petty offense. Driving between 26 and 34 MPH over the limit is considered a Class B Misdemeanor. 35MPH over is reckless driving, it may be charged as a Class A Misdemeanor.
How To Find Affordable Insurance After A Speeding Ticket
Speeding tickets can result in increased insurance costs, so it's important to look into your options carefully. Here’s how to find affordable car insurance in Illinois.
Get Quotes From Other Car Insurance Companies
To find the best car insurance rates, it’s a good idea to get quotes from different companies. By comparing prices and coverage options, you can see which insurer offers the best deal for your needs. Many companies provide online quotes, making it easy to check multiple options quickly.
Take your time to review the details, as even small differences in coverage can impact your overall costs. Getting quotes from several providers can help you save money and find the right policy for you.
For example, in Illinois, State Farm (10%) and Erie (9%) are known for having the lowest increase in premiums after a speeding ticket.
Defensive Driving Course
Taking a defensive driving course can be a great way to improve your driving skills and potentially lower your insurance rates. These courses teach safe driving techniques and help you understand how to respond to various situations on the road. Many insurance companies offer discounts for completing a defensive driving course, especially if you’ve received a speeding ticket.
Take A Driver Improvement Course
Taking a Driver Improvement Course can help you become a better driver and might lower your insurance rates. These courses teach safe driving techniques, important traffic laws, and how to deal with different driving situations. Finishing a Driver Improvement Course shows insurance companies that you’re serious about being responsible on the road, which could earn you discounts.
What To Do After Getting A Speeding Ticket
When you receive a speeding ticket, you have two choices: you can pay the fine and accept the penalties, or you can contest the ticket.
Paying The Ticket
The simplest option is to plead guilty and pay the fine online. This will add a conviction to your driving record, but you won’t need to go to court, fill out extra paperwork, or take a driver training course.
Plead Guilty
If you want to keep the conviction off your record, you can plead guilty and attend traffic school instead.
Request A Trial
If you plead not guilty, you’ll need to go to court for a trial. You can choose to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecutor or have a trial.
How Long Does A Speeding Ticket Stay On My Record?
In Illinois, speeding tickets will stay on your driving record for around 5 years. It depends on the severity of the violation. For example, minor infractions may remain for four years, while more serious offenses, like reckless driving, can stay for up to five years. Having a ticket on your record can affect your insurance rates and may influence any future traffic violations.
How Much Is A Ticket In Illinois?
In Illinois, the fines for speeding tickets can vary depending on different factors, like where the speeding happened and how fast you were driving.
| Fine by MPH over limit | Posted Limit | School Zone | Construction Zone |
| 1 to 5 | $0 | $150 | $250 |
| 6 to 9 | $30 | $150 | $300 |
| 10 to 14 | $85 | $150 | $325 |
| 15 to 19 | $110 | $150 | $400 |
| 20 to 29 | $120 | $300 | $443 |
| 30 plus | $150 | $300 | $600 |
Driving more than 35 miles per hour over the speed limit is considered reckless driving. This is viewed more seriously than other traffic violations because it shows a lack of respect for the rules and can endanger others on the road.
Penalties For Speeding
The penalties you may face for a speeding violation can vary based on the specific situation.
Point System
In Illinois, the point system keeps track of driving violations by giving points for certain offenses. Speeding 1-10 mph over the limit will cost you 5 points, speeding 11-14 mph over the limit will cost you 15 points, speeding 15-25 mph over the limit will cost you 25 points, and speeding 26-29 mph over the limit will cost you 50 points. accumulating too many points can lead to further penalties, including license suspension. It’s also important to note that fines may be higher in construction zones.
License Suspension
The duration of a license suspension in Illinois is based on how many points you’ve accumulated. If you have 15 to 44 points accumulated, you’ll get a 2-month suspension, for 45 to 74 points, there’s a 3-month suspension, and for 75 to 89 points, there’s a 6-month suspension.
Stat: In 2021, speeding was a factor in approximately 36% of all traffic fatalities in the state.
FAQs
What is the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket?
The cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket in Illinois can vary based on several factors, including your driving record, the type of coverage you need, and the insurance company you choose. Some companies that are often noted for competitive rates include State Farm, and Erie.
It’s a good idea to compare quotes from different insurers to find the best deal, as many companies offer discounts for safe driving or completing a defensive driving course.
How do I get a speeding ticket off my insurance?
To get a speeding ticket off your insurance, consider completing a defensive driving course, as some insurance companies offer discounts for this and may remove the ticket’s impact on your rates. You can also request a “supervision” option if available, which may keep the ticket off your record.
Additionally, maintaining a clean driving record moving forward can help, as many insurers review your history periodically and might lower your rates over time.
Will my insurance company find out about my speeding ticket immediately?
Your insurance company may not find out about your speeding ticket right away. Typically, they learn about it when your driving record is updated, which can take a few weeks or longer. However, if you inform your insurer about the ticket yourself, they will know immediately. It’s important to check your policy, as some companies require you to report any violations.
Sources
⇅- US Department Of Transportation – Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST)
- Illinois Department Of Transportation – Illinois Roadway Crash Data
