Plain Policy Guide
Tickets & Points

How Much Does a Speeding Ticket Raise Your Insurance?

One speeding ticket raised full-coverage premiums by 28% on average in NerdWallet's 2026 analysis. See how different violations compare and how to limit the increase.

By Plain Policy Guide Editorial Team Published 2 min read

A speeding ticket costs you twice: once for the fine, and again for the next few years in higher insurance premiums. The second cost is usually the bigger one. Here is what the data shows and what you can do about it.

The average increase after a speeding ticket

NerdWallet's 2026 analysis of insurer rate filings priced the same 35-year-old driver with and without a ticket for driving 16 mph over the limit:

Driver profileFull coverage per yearMinimum coverage per yearChange (full coverage)
Clean record$2,361$648-
One speeding ticket$3,028$840+28%

Source: NerdWallet, 2026, using median rates from public insurer filings for a 35-year-old with good credit.

That is about $667 more per year, and the surcharge typically lasts several years. Over three years, a single ticket can cost this driver around $2,000 in extra premiums, well above the fine itself.

How other violations compare

Speeding is a relatively minor violation. Data from The Zebra, cited by Experian, shows how much more serious violations can cost:

ViolationAverage rate increase
Hit and run95%
DUI93%
Refusing a breathalyzer or chemical test91%
Racing86%
Reckless driving82%
Driving with a suspended license80%

Source: The Zebra, as cited by Experian, March 2025.

What decides how much your rate goes up

  • How fast you were going. A ticket for driving far over the limit is treated more seriously than a minor one.
  • Your history. Experian notes that a first ticket may not raise rates, but two or more tickets within three years are likely to.
  • Your insurer. Some companies add a small surcharge for a first minor violation; one insurer told Experian a first speeding ticket in three years could raise a six-month premium by upwards of 10%.
  • Your state. Point systems and record rules differ. In Nevada, for example, speeding carries one to five demerit points.

Tickets that usually don't affect insurance

Parking tickets and other non-moving violations, such as window tint or a broken taillight, generally don't raise insurance rates. The exception is when they go unpaid or unfixed, which can lead to bigger problems. Camera tickets usually don't count either, except where a state assigns points for them.

How to limit the damage

  1. Ask about traffic school. In many states, completing a traffic school or driver safety course can keep a first violation off your record. See how long a ticket affects insurance.
  2. Consider the full cost before you pay. Paying a ticket is usually an admission of guilt that puts it on your record. Weigh the fine against several years of higher premiums, and consider getting advice if the ticket is serious.
  3. Shop around at renewal. Insurers treat tickets differently, so a different company may charge you much less.
  4. Use other discounts to offset the surcharge. See 12 ways to lower your car insurance.
  5. Drive clean for the next three years. A second ticket is what really pushes prices up.
Next guideHow Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Insurance?

Frequently asked questions

Does one speeding ticket always raise insurance?

Not always. Some insurers forgive a first minor ticket or add only a small surcharge, while others raise rates noticeably. Two or more tickets within about three years are very likely to raise your price.

Do out-of-state speeding tickets affect insurance?

Often, yes. Most states share violation information with your home state, and the ticket can end up on your home driving record, where insurers see it. Rules vary by state and violation.

Do red-light camera tickets raise insurance?

Usually not, because many camera tickets are treated like non-moving violations and don't go on your driving record. Experian notes exceptions: Arizona, California and Oregon can assign demerit points for camera tickets.

When will my rate go back down after a ticket?

Many insurers count a moving violation for about three years, though the ticket may stay on your record longer. Re-shop when it stops counting.

Sources

  1. Average Cost of Car Insurance (rate analysis, 2026), NerdWallet
  2. How Do Traffic Tickets Affect Insurance? (March 12, 2025), Experian
  3. Nevada Liability Insurance Requirements, Nevada DMV

Sources were checked on October 14, 2026. Laws, fees and prices change; always confirm with your state agency or insurer.

Keep reading

Tickets & Points How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Insurance? Most moving violations affect your insurance for about three years, but they can stay on your driving record longer. Here is how points, records and insurer lookbacks work. 2 min read Coverage Basics Types of Car Insurance Coverage, Explained Liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, PIP and more: what each type of car insurance coverage pays for, which ones are required and which are optional. 4 min read Coverage Basics Full Coverage vs. Liability Insurance: What's the Difference? Liability-only insurance covers damage you cause to others. Full coverage adds collision and comprehensive for your own car. Here is what each costs and how to decide. 3 min read Coverage Basics How Much Car Insurance Do You Need? State minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation. Here is how to choose liability limits, whether you need collision and comprehensive, and which extras are worth it. 3 min read Coverage Basics How Car Insurance Deductibles Work (and How to Choose One) Your deductible is what you pay before insurance pays on a collision or comprehensive claim. Here is how it works, how it affects your premium and how to pick the right amount. 2 min read Coverage Basics Uninsured Motorist Coverage: What It Pays For and Do You Need It? About one in seven U.S. drivers is uninsured. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays your bills when they hit you. Here is how it works and the states where it matters most. 2 min read