How A Speeding Ticket Affects Your Insurance In Ohio
In Ohio, a speeding ticket can increase your insurance costs by around 18%.
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7.8% of drivers in Ohio had a speeding ticket on their record in 2024. This rate is almost twice the national average, which stands at 4.1%. According to the latest data from the National Safety Council (NSC), speeding contributes to 29% of all traffic deaths.
With nine years of experience as a licensed insurance agent, I’ve helped many drivers find auto insurance that can lessen the impact of a speeding ticket. You can still find affordable auto insurance even after getting a ticket. Let me explain how a speeding ticket can affect your car insurance in Ohio.
Key Takeaways
In Ohio, car insurance rates typically go up by about 18% after a speeding ticket.
While one speeding ticket usually won’t lead to your policy being canceled, getting multiple tickets or serious speeding could result in non-renewal.
Driving just 1-5 miles per hour over the speed limit is seen as a minor violation, whereas going 20 miles per hour or more over the limit is considered a major violation.
Do Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance In Ohio?
Driving too fast in Ohio can be costly in more ways than one. If you get a speeding ticket, it can lead to a noticeable rise in your car insurance rates. In fact, insurance premiums typically increase by around 18% after a speeding violation in Ohio. This not only affects your wallet but can also impact your driving record.
How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance In Ohio
A clean driving record can help lower your insurance rates. However, just one mistake, such as getting a speeding ticket, can raise your car insurance costs significantly. The increase can vary a lot 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 |
| State Farm | $1,320 | $1,530 | 15% |
| Geico | $1,189 | $1,480 | 22% |
| USAA | $1,220 | $1,530 | 24% |
| Hastings Mutual | $762 | $920 | 20% |
Insurance rates can vary based on factors like your driving history, location, gender, and previous claims. If you file a claim related to speeding, it can impact these factors in different ways, especially depending on the severity of the ticket. After receiving a speeding ticket, it’s a good idea to compare insurance quotes. Shopping around can help you find the best rate from different insurers.
Important: In Ohio, speeding was a factor in approximately 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2022, highlighting the significant risk associated with speeding on the roads.
How To Lower Your Premiums After A Ticket
Receiving a speeding ticket in Ohio will increase your insurance rates. However, there are steps you can take to help reduce your car insurance costs even after the ticket. Here’s how to find affordable car insurance in Ohio.
Look For Discounts
Young drivers often pay more for car insurance because they have less experience, but there are ways to lower their premiums even after getting a speeding ticket. Discounts for good grades, completing a defensive driving course, or joining a telematics program can help reduce costs.
Additionally, if you’ve moved into the workforce, some insurers offer professional discounts based on your job, especially in fields like health care and education. Bundling your auto insurance with another policy, such as home or renters insurance, can also lead to savings.
Lower Your Limits
Even if you have full coverage car insurance, which includes collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and medical payments coverage, reducing the coverage limits can lower your premium.
Get Minimum Coverage
If you’ve received a speeding ticket in Ohio and want to lower your car insurance premiums, one option is to consider minimum coverage. Minimum coverage typically includes only the basic liability insurance required by law, which can significantly reduce your monthly payments. While this means you’ll have less protection in case of an accident, it can help you save money in the short term.
The minimum coverage required by Ohio state includes $25000 for bodily injury per person and $25000 for property damage.
TIME INFRACTIONS: Felony traffic offenses can result in punishments ranging from a minimum of six months in jail to a maximum of life in prison.
Does A First-Time Speeding Ticket Affect Insurance?
A first-time speeding ticket can affect your insurance in Ohio. When you receive a speeding ticket, your insurance company may raise your rates, as they consider it a sign of risky driving. The increase can vary based on the insurer and your overall driving record, but it’s common for premiums to go up after a violation. Some companies may forgive the first offense, while others may raise rates significantly.
CONSEQUENCES: Speeds under 10 MPH over the limit are classified as Class C misdemeanors, while speeds between 10 and 25 MPH over the limit are Class B misdemeanors. Reckless driving, which includes speeds exceeding 25 MPH over the limit, is classified as a Class A misdemeanor.
How To Find Affordable Insurance After A Speeding Ticket
Speeding tickets can cause your insurance rates to go up, so it's important to look at your choices closely.
Here’s how to find affordable car insurance in Ohio.
Get Quotes From Car Insurance Companies
Getting quotes from different car insurance companies is a smart way to find the best rate for your needs. By comparing quotes, you can see how various insurers price their policies and identify any differences in coverage options. It’s important to provide the same information to each company to ensure an accurate comparison.
For example, in Ohio, State Farm is known for having the lowest increase in premiums after a speeding ticket (15%).
Take A Driver Improvement Course
Taking a Driver Improvement Course can be a great way to reduce the impact of a speeding ticket on your insurance rates. These courses teach safe driving practices and traffic laws, helping you become a better driver. Many insurance companies offer discounts to those who complete an approved course, which can lower your premiums.
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 what comes next, or you can contest the ticket.
Paying The Ticket
If you decide to plead guilty, you can pay your fine online or in person at your local police station or BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) office.
Appeal The Fine
If you had to pay a fine after a guilty decision, you can appeal to your county’s municipal court. Before paying the fine, inform the court clerk and consider speaking with a lawyer for advice.
No Contest
A no-contest plea doesn’t mean you admit guilt, but it indicates that you accept the facts of the case. The court will decide if you are guilty or innocent based on these facts. In most cases, a no-contest plea results in a guilty ruling.
How Long Does A Speeding Ticket Stay On My Record?
In Ohio, a speeding ticket typically stays on your driving record for two years from the date of the violation. However, the points associated with the ticket may affect your insurance rates for a longer period. After two years, the ticket will generally no longer be visible on your record, but it’s important to maintain a clean driving history to avoid future issues with insurance or licensing.
How Much Is A Speeding Ticket In Ohio?
In Ohio, the fines for speeding tickets can vary depending on factors like where the violation happened and how fast you were driving.
| Fine by MPH over limit | Posted Limit | School Zone | Construction Zone |
| 1 to 5 | $170 | $230 | $222 |
| 6 to 9 | $170 | $230 | $222 |
| 10 to 14 | $170 | $230 | $222 |
| 15 to 19 | $191 | Court appearance | $262 |
| 20 to 29 | $191 | Court appearance | $262 |
| 30 plus | $235 | Court appearance | $335 |
Driving more than thirty miles per hour over the speed limit is considered reckless driving. This is viewed more seriously than other violations because it shows a lack of respect for traffic laws and can endanger others on the road.
Penalties For Speeding
In Ohio, going over the maximum speed limit is considered a minor misdemeanor. If you get your first or second speeding ticket within a year, the fine can be up to $150. However, if you receive a third ticket in that same year, it becomes a fourth-degree misdemeanor, which can lead to jail time or a fine of up to $250.
Driving more than 35 miles per hour over the limit in construction zones, school zones, or business districts is automatically classified as a fourth-degree misdemeanor. If you accumulate four or more speeding tickets in a year, you’ll face a third-degree misdemeanor.
In Ohio, misdemeanor crimes are classified into four degrees, each with different penalties:
- First-degree Misdemeanors: Can lead to up to 180 days in jail, fines up to $1,000, or both.
- Second-degree Misdemeanors: Can result in up to 90 days in jail, fines up to $750, or both.
- Third-degree Misdemeanors: Can be punished with up to 60 days in jail, fines up to $500, or both.
- Fourth-degree Misdemeanors: Can lead to up to 30 days in jail, fines up to $250, or both.
Hint: In Ohio, speeding was involved in about 26% of all traffic fatalities in 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
FAQs
What is the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket?
Finding the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket in Ohio can vary, but some companies are generally more affordable. State Farm, Geico, Progressive, Farmers, and Allstate are often good options to consider.
State Farm is known for competitive rates and discounts, while Geico frequently offers low prices. Progressive may help lower your premium, and Farmers could provide discounts for taking a defensive driving course.
How do I get a speeding ticket off my insurance?
To get a speeding ticket off your insurance in Ohio, you can take several steps. First, check with your insurance company to find out how long the ticket will affect your rates, as it usually stays on your record for three years.
Completing a defensive driving course might help reduce points on your record and lower your premium. Keeping a clean driving record by avoiding more tickets will also help over time.
Will my insurance company find out about my speeding ticket immediately?
Your insurance company might not find out about your speeding ticket immediately in Ohio. They usually check driving records when your policy is renewed or during regular updates. However, if you report the ticket yourself, they will know right away. It’s a good idea to be honest with your insurer to avoid problems later on.
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