How A Speeding Ticket Affects Your Insurance In Georgia

2023 figures from the US Department of Transportation found that there were 40,990 fatal car accidents in Georgia that year. Additionally, there were 422 speeding-related accidents in the prior year and similar data has been reported in the previous years as well.

With nine years of experience as a licensed insurance agent, I’ve helped many drivers find auto insurance that can help deal with the impact of a speeding ticket. There are ways to get affordable auto insurance even after a ticket. Let me explain how a speeding ticket can affect your car insurance in Georgia.

How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance In Georgia

Having a good driving record can lower your insurance rates. But just one mistake, like a speeding ticket, can raise your car insurance costs. The increase can be quite large, depending on the insurance provider.

Here are some examples of how a single speeding ticket can affect your insurance rates and how different companies might respond.

Insurance rates can change based on things like your driving history, where you live, your gender, and your past claims. If you file a claim for speeding, it can affect these factors in various ways, especially depending on how serious the speeding ticket is.

You can compare insurance quotes after getting a speeding ticket. Shopping around can help you find the insurer that offers the best rate.

How To Lower Your Premiums After A Ticket

Getting a speeding ticket in Georgia will raise your insurance rates. However, there are things you can do to help lower your car insurance costs, even after receiving a ticket. Here’s how to find cheap car insurance in Georgia.

Get Minimum Coverage

Like other states, Georgia requires drivers to have a minimum amount of auto liability insurance. If you’re trying to save on insurance costs and have used all available discounts, you might consider reducing or removing coverage that isn’t necessary.

The minimum coverage required by Georgia state includes $25000 for bodily injury per person and $25000 for property damage.

Check Discounts

Before you begin searching for insurance, make sure you’ve used all the discounts available from your current provider. For example, many auto insurance companies that also offer homeowners insurance will give you a discount if you buy both policies from them.

Some companies in Georgia also offer discounts if you’re willing to pay the amount in full.

Defensive Driving Courses

In Georgia, completing a defensive driving course can help lower your auto insurance premium. Many insurance providers offer discounts for drivers who finish an approved course, often ranging from 5% to 15% off their premiums. These courses teach essential skills for avoiding accidents and managing risky situations on the road, contributing to safer driving habits.

According to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, successful completion of a defensive driving course can also help reduce points on your driving record, further enhancing your driving profile and potentially leading to additional savings on insurance costs.

Shop Around

Shopping around for car insurance is a smart way to find the best rates and coverage for your needs. It’s recommended to gather quotes from at least three to five providers to see how they stack up against each other. Additionally, consider factors like customer service ratings and claims processes, as these can impact your experience in the long run.

Taking the time to explore your options ensures you make an informed choice that fits both your budget and coverage requirements.

Does A First-Time Speeding Ticket Affect Insurance?

For a first speeding offense in Georgia, lawmakers set maximum fines. It’s important to note that many courts don’t have a way to check if a speeding ticket is a driver’s first offense. As a result, many drivers might miss out on getting their fines reduced under this law. In many situations, factors like license points and insurance impacts are often more important than the actual fine.

How a first speeding ticket affects your insurance premium can vary by insurance company. Some insurers may view you as a high risk, leading to a significant rate increase. However, others may take a more forgiving approach, understanding that mistakes happen and offering minimal increases, especially if they have accident forgiveness policies.

What To Do After Getting A Speeding Ticket

When you get a speeding ticket, you have two options: you can either pay the fine and accept the consequences, or you can challenge the ticket.

Paying The Ticket

The simplest way to pay your ticket is online at the georgiacourts.gov website. If you have a Super Speeder fine, you can pay it online at this website. For payments by phone, by mail, or in person, you should reach out to your local court for instructions.

Contesting The Ticket

If you decide to fight the ticket, you can plead not guilty when you go to Georgia court, and they will set a court date for you. You can either represent yourself or hire a lawyer to help you. If the court finds you not guilty, your ticket will be canceled. However, if you are found guilty, you’ll have to pay the fine, and the ticket will go on your driving record.

How Long Does A Speeding Ticket Stay On My Record?

In Georgia, a speeding ticket generally stays on your driving record for two years. However, points from the ticket may remain on your record for up to five years. If you accumulate too many points within that period, you could face penalties, such as a license suspension. It’s important to keep track of your driving record and any tickets you receive.

How Much Is A Ticket In Georgia?

In Georgia, the fines for speeding tickets can change based on several factors, such as where the violation occurred and how fast you were going.

Driving more than thirty miles per hour over the speed limit is seen as reckless driving. This type of driving is taken more seriously than other violations because it shows a disregard for traffic rules and puts others on the road at risk.

Penalties For Speeding

In Georgia, most speeding offenses are considered misdemeanors. Typically, a misdemeanor can result in fines of up to $1,000 and/or up to 12 months in jail. However, the actual penalties you may face for a speeding violation can vary based on the specific situation.

Super Speeder Fine

Although speeding fines vary depending on where you get the ticket in Georgia, you might also face a Super Speeder fine. This applies if you are driving 75 mph or more on a two-lane road, or 85 mph or more on any other road. If you get this fine, you will have to pay an extra $200 on top of any local fines.

Point System

In Georgia, the point system tracks driving violations by assigning points for specific offenses. Points range from 2 to 6, depending on the severity of the violation; for example, minor speeding might result in 2 points, while reckless driving can add 6 points.

If you accumulate 15 points within 24 months, your driver’s license may be suspended. Points remain on your record for two years and can also impact your insurance rates. However, you can reduce points by completing a defensive driving course or maintaining a clean driving record over time.