How A Speeding Ticket Affects Your Insurance In Virginia
Speeding can increase your auto insurance costs by an average of 20% in Virginia.
We’ve saved shoppers an average of $600 per year on their car insurance.
After COVID-related restrictions started, the Virginia Department of Transportation saw a troubling 24% rise in traffic deaths due to speeding. In 2021, there were 965 deaths from car crashes in Virginia, 34% of which were speeding-related crashes.
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. Even after getting a ticket, there are ways to get affordable auto insurance. Let me explain how a speeding ticket can affect your car insurance in Virginia.
Key Takeaways
A speeding ticket on your driving record can raise your car insurance rates in Virginia by about 20%.
Besides fines and possible jail time, speeding will add points to your driver’s license in Virginia, and those points can remain on your record for up to 11 years.
According to a report from the Department of Motor Vehicles, over 319,000 speeding tickets were given out in Virginia in 2019.
In Virginia, you can be charged with reckless driving if you’re caught going more than 20 mph over the speed limit. You’ll also face reckless driving charges if you drive faster than 85 miles per hour, no matter what the speed limit is.
Do Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance In Virginia?
Speeding in Virginia can lead to both financial and time penalties. A speeding ticket can significantly increase your car insurance rates. On average, if you receive a speeding ticket in Virginia, your car insurance could rise by around 20%.
How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance In Virginia
Having a good driving record can lower your insurance rates. But one mistake, like a speeding ticket, can raise your car insurance costs. The increase can be quite large, depending on the insurance company.
Here are some examples of how a single speeding ticket can affect your insurance rates and how different companies might respond.
| Provider | Clean Record | Speeding Ticket | Increase |
| Nationwide | $1,320 | $1,589 | 19% |
| Geico | $1,568 | $1,698 | 9% |
| USAA | $1,358 | $1,656 | 20% |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $1,225 | $1,505 | 24% |
| Traveler | $1,101 | $1,473 | 33% |
Insurance rates can change based on your driving history, where you live, your gender, and any past claims. If you make a claim for speeding, it can affect these factors in different ways, especially depending on how serious the ticket is.
After getting a speeding ticket, you can compare insurance quotes. Shopping around can help you find the best rate.
Hint: In Virginia, about 70% of drivers reported that they have exceeded the speed limit in the past year, despite knowing it’s unsafe.
How To Lower Your Premiums After A Ticket
Receiving a speeding ticket in Virginia will increase your insurance rates. However, there are steps you can take to help reduce your car insurance costs, even after a ticket. Here’s how to find affordable car insurance in Virginia.
Look For Discounts
When you shop around for insurance, another way to save money is by asking about discounts. Most insurers provide discounts if you buy multiple policies from them. This usually means bundling your home or renters insurance with your car insurance, but other types of insurance might also qualify.
Additionally, some insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who complete an approved defensive driving course, which can lead to savings of 5 to 20 percent on your premium.
Get Minimum Coverage
Virginia does not require drivers to have auto insurance. Instead, you can choose to pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
If you want coverage, the minimum coverage includes $50,000 for bodily injury per person and $20,000 for property damage.
Defensive Driving Course
Taking a defensive driving course in Virginia can be a smart way to reduce speeding fines and improve your driving record. These courses teach essential skills for avoiding accidents and handling various driving situations more safely.
If you complete a defensive driving course after receiving a speeding ticket, you may be able to show the court that you’re committed to safe driving, which could lead to reduced fines or even the dismissal of the ticket.
TIME INFRACTIONS: If you accumulate 12 points on your driving record within 12 months, your driver’s license may be suspended for up to 6 months.
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Does A First-Time Speeding Ticket Affect Insurance?
A first-time speeding ticket can impact your insurance in Virginia. On average, insurance rates may increase by about 20% after a speeding violation, even if it’s your first offense. The exact change in your premium can vary depending on your insurance provider and your overall driving history.
It’s a good idea to check with your insurer to see how a speeding ticket might affect your specific rates.
Important: Driving 20 mph over the posted speed limit, or exceeding 85 mph on any highway in Virginia, is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
How To Find Affordable Insurance After A Speeding Ticket
Getting a speeding ticket can raise your insurance costs, so it's important to look at your choices closely. Here’s how to find affordable car insurance in Virginia.
Take Drivers Improvement Course
In Virginia, taking a driver improvement course can be a great way to reduce your insurance premiums after receiving a speeding ticket. These courses provide valuable education on safe driving practices and traffic laws.
Completing the course can demonstrate to your insurance company that you’re committed to improving your driving skills. Many insurers offer discounts for drivers who have completed an approved course, which can help lower your rates.
Shop Around
Shopping around for car insurance is a smart move that can save you money. Different companies offer various rates and coverage options, so comparing them helps you find the best deal. Take the time to get quotes from multiple insurers, and don’t be afraid to ask about discounts that could lower your premium. By doing your research, you can ensure you’re getting the coverage you need at a price that fits your budget.
Maintain A Clean Record
Avoid further violations and maintain a clean driving record moving forward. Over time, your rates may decrease as the ticket ages.
Find Affordable Car Insurance In Virginia
What To Do After Getting A Speeding Ticket
When you receive a speeding ticket in Virginia, you have two choices: you can pay the fine and accept what happens next, or you can contest the ticket.
Paying The Ticket
The simplest option is to just pay the ticket, especially if it was a minor speeding violation and the fine isn’t too high. You can pay online using these resources:
- Circuit court: Circuit Court Payment
- General district court: General District Court Payment
In addition to this, Virginia has a program called Fines Options Program that allows you to do community service instead of paying the fines.
Infraction
Here, you can plead guilty, not guilty, or not contest. The simplest choice is to submit a written guilty plea, which means you won’t need to go to court. The judge will decide the case without a jury. If you don’t submit a plea or attend court, the case will still proceed, but the judge won’t issue a warrant for missing the court date, unlike in some other states.
How Long Does A Speeding Ticket Stay On My Record?
In Virginia, a speeding ticket typically stays on your driving record for five years from the date of the violation. However, points from the ticket may affect your insurance rates and driving privileges. After the five-year period, the ticket will no longer appear on your record, but it’s important to maintain a clean driving history to avoid higher premiums or further penalties.
How Much Is A Speeding Ticket In Virginia?
In Virginia, the fines for speeding tickets can vary depending on factors like where the speeding happened and how fast you were going.
| Fine by MPH over limit | Posted Limit | School Zone | Construction Zone |
| 1 to 5 | $0 | $215 | $235 |
| 6 to 9 | $25 | $222 | $257 |
| 10 to 14 | $96 | $229 | $286 |
| 15 to 19 | $123 | $236 | $387 |
| 20 to 29 | $149 | $243 | $494 |
| 30 plus | $290 | $250 | $501 |
If you’re driving over thirty miles per hour above the speed limit, it’s considered reckless driving. This is viewed more seriously than other speeding violations because it shows a lack of respect for traffic laws and can endanger other drivers.
Penalties For Speeding
In Virginia, if you’re driving either 20 mph over the posted speed limit or over 85 mph on any highway, it’s considered a Class 1 misdemeanor (Reckless Driving). The maximum fine for reckless driving is $2,500 and maximum jail time is 12 months. In addition, you’ll get 6 points which may stay on your record for 11 years.
If you’re exceeding limits on interstate/limited access highways, it’s considered a Class 2 misdemeanor (Aggressive Driving). The maximum fine for reckless driving is $1,000 and maximum jail time is 6 months. In addition, you’ll get 4 points which may stay on your record for 5 years.
Point System
Virginia has a point system to keep track of traffic violations. When you get a ticket, points are added to your driving record based on how serious the offense is. Here’s a breakdown:
- Minor Violations: For less serious offenses, like speeding a little over the limit, you might get 3 points.
- Major Violations: More serious issues, such as reckless driving, can add 6 points or more.
- Accumulating Points: If you collect 12 points within a year, you could have your license suspended.
DANGEROUS FACTOR: In Virginia, speeding was a factor in 26% of traffic accident fatalities in 2022, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
FAQs
What is the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket?
Finding the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket in Virginia can vary, but some companies often offer more affordable rates for drivers in this situation. State Farm is known for competitive pricing and good customer service, while Geico usually provides low rates along with various discounts.
For example, our research indicates that Geico may raise rates by just 9 percent after a speeding ticket, which is lowest as compared to other insurance rates that we found.
How do I get a speeding ticket off my insurance?
To get a speeding ticket off your insurance, you can take several steps. First, check with your insurance company to understand how long the ticket will affect your rates, as it usually stays on your record for three to five years.
Consider completing a driver improvement course, which may help reduce points on your record and potentially lower your premium. Maintaining a clean driving record by avoiding further violations is also essential, as time can help diminish the impact of the ticket.
Will my insurance company find out about my speeding ticket immediately?
Yes, your insurance company will likely find out about your speeding ticket relatively quickly. Most insurers check driving records when you apply for a policy or when it’s time to renew. They may also receive updates from state motor vehicle departments regularly.
This means the ticket can impact your rates shortly after it’s issued, depending on the timing of the record updates.
Sources
⇅- Virginia DOT – Criteria and procedures
