How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance In Florida
Speeding in Florida won’t earn you any criminal charges, but it can have a great impact on your auto insurance costs.
Drivers in Florida who are caught speeding may not be charged with a criminal conviction, however, they can pay hefty fines and having a speeding ticket on your record can raise insurance rates by as much as 20%.
With my 9 years of experience as a licensed insurance agent, I help drivers find auto insurance that can handle 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 auto insurance in Florida.
Key Takeaways
When you get a speeding ticket in Florida, you can either pay the fine, contest the ticket in court, or take a defensive driving course.
If you opt for a defensive driving course to prevent the ticket from affecting your record, you usually have 30 days to submit your plea of no contest.
In Florida, insurance rates typically go up after a speeding ticket, but there are strategies to help keep your rates low even after an infraction.
Do Speeding Tickets Impact Insurance in Florida?
As a driver, your actions on the road can impact your insurance costs. We know that accidents can lead to higher premiums, but it’s also important to realize that even a single speeding ticket can affect your insurance in Florida. On average, a speeding ticket may increase your premium by about 20%.
How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance In Florida
Having a clean driving record can help keep your car insurance costs low. However, even one mistake can cause your car insurance to go up, sometimes significantly, depending on the insurer.
Here are some examples of how a single speeding ticket can affect your insurance rates. You’ll see how the impact can differ between companies.
| Provider
|
Clean Record | Speeding Ticket | Increase |
| GEICO | $1,489 | $3,140 | 117% |
| Allstate | $3,140 | $3,7812 | 24% |
| State Farm | $1,659 | $2,532 | 53% |
| Progressive | $3,341 | $4,591 | 35% |
| Travelers | $969 | $2,759 | 179% |
Insurance rates can change based on several factors, including your driving history, where you live, your gender, and your claim history. If you make a claim related to a speeding ticket, it can affect these factors in various ways, especially depending on how serious the speeding violation is. Generally, the more serious the ticket, the bigger the increase in your insurance costs.
Important: 9 out of 10 drivers admit to speeding, even though nearly 90% know that it is wrong.
How To Lower Your Insurance Premiums After A Ticket
Generally, after you get a speeding ticket in Florida, your insurance rates are likely to go up. However, this increase won’t take effect until you renew your policy. In Florida, a speeding ticket typically stays on your driving record for 3 years.
Here are some tips to help you lower your premiums in Florida after receiving a speeding ticket:
Lower Your Coverage Levels
If you’re leasing a car and must keep full coverage, your options may be limited. However, one way to lower your premium after a ticket is to raise your deductible. Just keep in mind that this means you’ll pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.
If you own an older vehicle, you might think about dropping Comprehensive and Collision coverage. Be aware that if you’re in an accident, your insurance will only cover the other driver. The minimum coverage limits in Florida are $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) for each person and each accident, and the same $10,000 for property damage coverage.
Enroll In A Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) Course
If you get a speeding ticket for going less than 30 mph over the limit, taking a BDI course will stop points from being added to your driving record. This means Florida car insurance companies can’t raise your rates, cancel your policy early, or refuse to renew it when it ends.
Search For Discounts
Searching for discounts is a smart way to save on your insurance premiums. Many insurance companies in Florida offer various discounts that you might qualify for, such as safe driver discounts, multi-policy discounts for bundling auto and home insurance, or discounts for completing a defensive driving course.
It’s worth taking the time to ask your insurer about any available discounts and to compare rates from different companies. You might be surprised at how much you can save just by being proactive and exploring your options!
Defensive Driving courses
Taking a defensive driving course can be very beneficial, especially after getting a speeding ticket. It demonstrates to your insurance company that you’re committed to improving your driving habits.
Shop Around
Shopping around for insurance is a crucial step in finding the best deal. Different companies offer varying rates and coverage options, so it’s wise to compare quotes from multiple insurers. Take the time to look into customer reviews and ratings as well, as these can give you insight into the quality of service you can expect.
Keeping a clean driving record is important for your future insurance rates. If you get another ticket within those three years, it will reset your record, leading to even higher rates since you’ll be considered a greater risk to insure.
TIME INFRACTIONS: If you get 4 or more violations in a 12 month period your license will be suspended, 7 or more in a 24 month period.
Does A First-Time Speeding Ticket Affect Insurance?
A first-time speeding ticket can indeed affect your insurance rates. When you receive a ticket, your insurance company may view you as a higher risk driver, which could lead to an increase in your premium. The impact can vary depending on the insurance provider and your driving history.
However, if this is your first ticket, some companies might not raise your rates as much as they would for repeat offenses. It’s a good idea to check with your insurer to understand how a first-time ticket will influence your specific policy.
Consequences: In Florida, speeds below 10 MPH over the limit are considered Class C misdemeanors. Speeds between 10 and 25 MPH over the limit, as well as reckless driving, fall under Class B and A misdemeanors, respectively.
How To Find Affordable Insurance After A Speeding Ticket
In Florida, navigating insurance costs after a speeding ticket can require some effort, as each company handles situations differently. Here are some important points to keep in mind:
● Driver Age Matters: A teenage driver with a speeding ticket may face higher penalties than a thirty-year-old with the same violation, as younger drivers are often considered higher risk.
● Multiple Violations: If you have two speeding violations, you will likely experience less leniency from insurers compared to a first-time offender. In Florida, a second offense can lead to significant increases in your premium.
● Severity of the Violation: A ticket for going just five miles over the limit might not impact your insurance rates, while more serious offenses, such as reckless driving or exceeding the speed limit by over 20 miles per hour, can lead to much higher costs.
Here are some simple ways to find cheaper insurance after getting a speeding ticket:
Switch To Liability Only
Full coverage can be expensive after a speeding ticket. If you don’t have to keep full coverage, try switching to just liability. This will lower your monthly payments, but you won’t be covered for accidents or theft.
Take A Defensive Driving Course
Insurance companies like it when drivers try to improve. Taking a defensive driving course shows you want to drive safely and can help reduce your insurance costs.
Look For New Insurance
Not all insurance companies treat speeding tickets the same way. Some may raise your rates a lot, while others may not. After your ticket, check quotes from other companies to find a better price.
What To Do After Getting A Speeding Ticket In Florida
If you were caught speeding in Florida, you can do the following things.
Review The Ticket Carefully
When you make your court appearance, they will provide you with instructions on how to pay for the ticket. After receiving a speeding ticket in Florida, the first step is to review the ticket carefully. Make sure all the information is accurate, including the date, time, location, and your vehicle’s details.
Decide How To Respond
Once you’ve reviewed the ticket, you need to decide how to respond. In Florida, you generally have three options: pay the fine, contest the ticket in court, or attend a defensive driving course (which can reduce your citation fees by about 20%). Paying the fine usually means accepting the violation, which can impact your insurance rates. If you believe you were wrongly ticketed, you can choose to contest it, but be prepared to provide evidence.
Notify Your Insurance Company
After addressing the ticket, it’s important to inform your insurance company about the violation. Some insurers require you to disclose any tickets you receive, as failing to do so could lead to complications later on. By being upfront, you can better understand how the ticket might impact your premium and discuss options for minimizing the financial effects.
How Long Does A Speeding Ticket Stay On My Record?
In Florida, a speeding ticket stays on your driving record for about 3 years. However, in some cases, it can remain for longer. Factors like being caught driving under the influence, getting a ticket in a school zone, or being involved in an accident with injuries can make auto insurance companies view your speeding ticket more seriously. These situations might lead insurers to consider the ticket as a bigger risk, which could affect how long it impacts your rates.
How Much Is A Speeding Ticket In Florida?
In Florida, speeding violations are taken seriously, and they can have a significant impact on your insurance rates. Unlike some states, Florida tends to see a more considerable increase in premiums after a speeding ticket, often around 20% or more. Additionally, if you’re fined for speeding in sensitive areas like school zones or construction zones, the consequences can be even harsher.
These types of violations are viewed as more serious by insurance companies, which may lead to higher rate increases and longer-lasting impacts on your driving record.
| Fine by MPH over limit | Posted Limit | School Zone | Construction Zone |
| 1 to 5 | Usually let go with a warning | $54 | $55 |
| 6 to 9 | $27 | $53 | $95 |
| 10 to 14 | $96 | $197 | $395 |
| 15 to 19 | $148 | $297 | $587 |
| 20 to 29 | $175 | $348 | $696 |
| 30 plus | $249 | $489 | $998 |
Driving over 30 miles per hour above the speed limit is classified as reckless driving. This offense is taken more seriously than other traffic violations because it shows a disregard for the rules and puts other people on the road at risk.
Penalties For Speeding
In Florida, the penalties for speeding can be significant. A first offense may result in a fine of up to $500. However, if you become a habitual offender, meaning you accumulate 3 speeding tickets within a 12-month period you could face a maximum fine of $1,000, along with possible jail time or other penalties.
For repeat offenders in Florida, additional consequences may include:
- Failure to appear in court: Missing a court date can lead to further legal issues.
- Referral to collections: Unpaid fines can be sent to collections, which may harm your credit score.
- Difficulties renewing your insurance: Insurance companies may deny renewal if you have multiple violations.
- Possible arrest warrant: Continued disregard for traffic laws could lead to more severe legal actions.
If you were speeding and caused a crash, you might have to pay extra penalties based on the situation:
- If someone was injured or property was damaged: You could face an extra $250 fine, have to go to driver improvement school, or both.
- If there was serious injury: You could face a $500 penalty and your license could be suspended for three months.
- If someone died: You could face a $1,000 penalty and your license could be suspended for six months.
Important: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of fatal accidents in 2022, highlighting the serious risks associated with speeding.
What is the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket?
Finding the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket in Florida can depend on several factors, including your driving history, the severity of the violation, and the insurance provider. Generally, some companies known for offering competitive rates include Geico, State Farm, and Progressive.
It’s essential to compare quotes from multiple insurers, as rates can vary widely. Additionally, look for discounts that may apply, such as safe driver discounts or savings for completing a defensive driving course.
How do I get a speeding ticket off my insurance?
To get a speeding ticket off your insurance, you have a few options. First, you can complete a defensive driving course, which may help keep the ticket off your driving record and reduce its impact on your insurance rates. Check with your insurance company to see if they offer this option.
Another way is to wait until the ticket naturally falls off your record, which typically happens after three years in Florida. During this time, maintain a clean driving record to show insurers you’re a responsible driver.
Will my insurance company find out about my speeding ticket immediately?
Your insurance company may not find out about your speeding ticket immediately, but they will eventually. When you get a ticket, it typically gets reported to the state’s driving record database. Insurance companies regularly check these records, usually at renewal time or when you apply for a new policy.
It’s important to be honest with your insurer about any tickets, as failing to disclose them could lead to problems later on, including higher rates or cancellation of your policy.
Sources
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