Find out how a traffic ticket affects insurance rates and how to help reduce your premium if you have a DUI or other violation on your driving record.
Discover if you are overpaying for car insurance below.
Updated:
Apr 11, 2024
Written by:
Daniel Robinson
Daniel Robinson
Writer
Edited by:
Rashawn Mitchner
Rashawn Mitchner
Senior Editor
If you’ve ever gotten a traffic violation like a speeding ticket or a DUI, you’ve probably had a major increase in your insurance premium. The amount of that rate hike would have been influenced by several factors, including your location and your driving history.
In this article, we at the MarketWatch Guides team will explain how traffic tickets affect insurance rates based on the insurer, the state and the type of violation. We’ll also discuss our recommendations for the best car insurance companies and what you can do to lower your insurance costs.
Key Takeaways:
- A speeding ticket for driving 16 to 20 mph over the limit could raise your full-coverage car insurance premium by an average of 25%.
- If you’re convicted of a DUI, your insurance rate could increase by 70% on average.
- To lower insurance costs, consider going to traffic school, asking about discounts, enrolling in a telematics insurance program and improving your credit.
Compare Car Insurance Rates
Get matched with a top provider and compare instant quotes in just a few clicks
Secure. Fast. Free.
How a Traffic Ticket Affects Insurance Rates: Overview
Having traffic violations such as DUIs and speeding tickets on your driving record is one reason insurance providers might consider you a high-risk driver. People who are deemed high-risk drivers are more likely to get in accidents and to file claims, so insurers charge them higher premiums.
Those premiums usually increase with each new infraction. The chart below shows how much traffic violations can raise insurance rates. These figures are compared to the national average for full coverage, which is $2,008 for a 35-year-old male driver with a clean driving record and a good credit score. All rates in this article are based on this driver profile.
Violations That Cause the Biggest Rate Increases
How much your auto insurance premium rises after a moving violation largely depends on the severity of the offense. Cost data from Quadrant Information Services shows average increases range from 25% after a minor speeding ticket to 70% after a DUI.
| Moving Violation | Average Car Insurance Premium | Average Dollar Increase in Rate | Average Percentage Increase in Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $2,008 | ||
| Speeding 1–5 mph over the limit | $2,225 | $217 | 11% |
| Minor (failure to obey stop sign) | $2,280 | $272 | 14% |
| Speeding 16–20 mph over the limit | $2,313 | $305 | 15% |
| Speeding 21–25 mph over the limit | $2,508 | $500 | 25% |
| DUI | $3,431 | $1,423 | 71% |
Speeding Ticket
Getting a speeding ticket can cause some of the biggest increases in your auto insurance rate. Below, we compare average costs from major auto insurance companies after a ticket for going 16 to 20 mph over the speed limit.
| Car Insurance Provider | Clean Record | Speeding (16–20 mph Over the Limit) | Average Dollar Increase in Rate | Average Percentage Increase in Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,512 | $1,828 | $316 | 17% |
| State Farm | $1,657 | $1,872 | $215 | 11% |
| Nationwide | $1,433 | $1,878 | $445 | 24% |
| Travelers | $1,595 | $1,970 | $375 | 19% |
| Geico | $1,596 | $2,137 | $541 | 25% |
| American Family Insurance | $1,851 | $2,333 | $482 | 21% |
| Progressive | $2,030 | $2,541 | $511 | 20% |
| Allstate | $2,598 | $3,012 | $414 | 14% |
| Farmers | $3,169 | $4,166 | $997 | 24% |
| AAA | $3,709 | $4,741 | $1,032 | 22% |
DUI
In 49 states, you’re considered legally impaired when your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher (the limit is 0.05 in Utah). This kind of reckless driving has serious consequences. Drivers convicted of a DUI see their car insurance premiums increase by an average of about 70%.
In the table below, we list 10 providers’ average annual full-coverage rates for drivers convicted of a DUI with a BAC over 0.08%.
| Car Insurance Provider | Clean Record | Average Rate After a DUI | Average Dollar Increase in Rate | Average Percentage Increase in Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $1,595 | $2,218 | $623 | 28% |
| American Family | $1,851 | $2,457 | $606 | 25% |
| State Farm | $1,657 | $2,548 | $891 | 35% |
| Progressive | $2,030 | $2,548 | $518 | 20% |
| USAA | $1,512 | $2,721 | $1,209 | 44% |
| Nationwide | $1,433 | $3,288 | $1,855 | 56% |
| Geico | $1,596 | $3,641 | $2,045 | 56% |
| Allstate | $2,598 | $3,803 | $1,205 | 32% |
| Farmers | $3,169 | $5,309 | $2,140 | 40% |
| AAA | $3,709 | $5,699 | $1,990 | 35% |
Average Rate Increases by State
Where you live can also affect how drastically your car insurance rate could change after you get a traffic ticket or DUI. Most traffic violations stay on your driving record for three to five years, but this varies by state. A DUI typically stays on your driving record for three to seven years, while a speeding ticket may stay on it for up to six years.
How Major Violations Affect Insurance Rates
The table below compares average annual full-coverage rates in each state and Washington, D.C., before and after one of these violations:
- A DUI
- A ticket for going 16 to 20 mph over the speed limit
A speeding violation can raise average rates by as little as a couple hundred dollars, but a DUI may add several thousand in states like California, Hawaii and Michigan.
| State | Clean Record | Speeding (16–20 mph Over the Limit) | DUI (BAC Over 0.08) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,775 | $2,096 | $2,744 |
| Alaska | $1,685 | $1,971 | $2,261 |
| Arizona | $2,008 | $2,669 | $3,197 |
| Arkansas | $2,038 | $2,593 | $3,026 |
| California | $2,313 | $3,298 | $6,476 |
| Colorado | $2,173 | $2,601 | $3,123 |
| Connecticut | $1,919 | $2,293 | $4,073 |
| Delaware | $2,881 | $3,344 | $4,347 |
| District of Columbia | $2,218 | $2,626 | $3,744 |
| Florida | $3,244 | $4,043 | $4,160 |
| Georgia | $1,973 | $2,344 | $3,244 |
| Hawaii | $1,656 | $1,942 | $5,370 |
| Idaho | $1,402 | $1,773 | $2,350 |
| Illinois | $1,541 | $1,908 | $2,437 |
| Indiana | $1,587 | $2,097 | $2,458 |
| Iowa | $1,563 | $1,888 | $2,697 |
| Kansas | $1,918 | $2,324 | $3,433 |
| Kentucky | $2,522 | $2,973 | $4,122 |
| Louisiana | $3,040 | $3,712 | $4,695 |
| Maine | $1,238 | $1,609 | $2,647 |
| Maryland | $1,833 | $2,265 | $3,222 |
| Massachusetts | $2,430 | $3,052 | $4,442 |
| Michigan | $3,643 | $5,606 | $8,260 |
| Minnesota | $1,766 | $2,272 | $3,606 |
| Mississippi | $1,658 | $2,093 | $3,002 |
| Missouri | $2,104 | $2,490 | $3,085 |
| Montana | $1,979 | $2,414 | $3,050 |
| Nebraska | $1,871 | $2,241 | $3,169 |
| Nevada | $2,788 | $3,461 | $4,625 |
| New Hampshire | $1,362 | $1,614 | $2,328 |
| New Jersey | $2,513 | $3,342 | $4,599 |
| New Mexico | $1,943 | $2,317 | $2,941 |
| New York | $2,088 | $2,505 | $2,944 |
| North Carolina | $1,627 | $2,446 | $6,564 |
| North Dakota | $1,916 | $2,274 | $2,993 |
| Ohio | $1,599 | $1,955 | $2,701 |
| Oklahoma | $2,278 | $2,739 | $3,255 |
| Oregon | $1,925 | $2,480 | $2,811 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,981 | $2,269 | $2,977 |
| Rhode Island | $2,357 | $3,072 | $4,831 |
| South Carolina | $1,845 | $2,362 | $2,747 |
| South Dakota | $2,291 | $2,740 | $4,358 |
| Tennessee | $1,524 | $1,857 | $2,342 |
| Texas | $2,205 | $2,637 | $3,168 |
| Utah | $1,928 | $2,325 | $2,677 |
| Vermont | $1,199 | $1,383 | $2,711 |
| Virginia | $1,781 | $2,172 | $3,307 |
| Washington | $1,616 | $2,005 | $2,291 |
| West Virginia | $2,177 | $2,722 | $4,456 |
| Wisconsin | $1,694 | $2,064 | $2,605 |
| Wyoming | $1,702 | $2,259 | $2,957 |
How Minor Violations Affect Insurance Rates
While the penalties for minor traffic violations are less severe, your insurance rate can still go up. Below, you’ll see the average increase in rates in each state after a driver gets a ticket for driving 1 to 5 mph over the limit or running a stop sign.
| State | Clean Record | Speeding (1–5 mph over the limit) | Minor (Fail To Obey Stop Sign) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,571 | $1,858 | $1,905 |
| Alaska | $1,544 | $1,809 | $1,819 |
| Arizona | $1,776 | $2,268 | $2,289 |
| Arkansas | $1,641 | $2,180 | $2,213 |
| California | $2,226 | $3,196 | $3,205 |
| Colorado | $1,993 | $2,323 | $2,363 |
| Connecticut | $2,059 | $2,419 | $2,397 |
| Delaware | $2,330 | $2,691 | $2,810 |
| Florida | $3,060 | $3,489 | $3,574 |
| Georgia | $1,657 | $1,939 | $1,953 |
| Hawaii | $1,394 | $2,159 | $2,159 |
| Idaho | $1,169 | $1,350 | $1,438 |
| Illinois | $1,441 | $1,831 | $1,947 |
| Indiana | $1,432 | $1,797 | $1,822 |
| Iowa | $1,283 | $1,479 | $1,612 |
| Kansas | $1,568 | $1,928 | $2,053 |
| Kentucky | $1,990 | $2,329 | $2,408 |
| Louisiana | $2,994 | $3,685 | $3,716 |
| Maine | $1,051 | $1,292 | $1,310 |
| Maryland | $1,773 | $2,190 | $2,202 |
| Massachusetts | $2,303 | $3,464 | $3,499 |
| Michigan | $4,133 | $5,503 | $5,739 |
| Minnesota | $1,792 | $2,064 | $2,083 |
| Mississippi | $1,591 | $1,903 | $1,986 |
| Missouri | $1,832 | $2,194 | $2,213 |
| Montana | $2,218 | $2,521 | $2,739 |
| Nebraska | $1,781 | $2,155 | $2,198 |
| Nevada | $2,282 | $2,808 | $2,853 |
| New Hampshire | $1,570 | $1,955 | $2,008 |
| New Jersey | $2,296 | $2,694 | $3,165 |
| New Mexico | $1,518 | $1,817 | $1,846 |
| New York | $2,910 | $3,343 | $3,359 |
| North Carolina | $1,513 | $2,083 | $2,086 |
| North Dakota | $1,552 | $1,806 | $1,835 |
| Ohio | $1,105 | $1,339 | $1,350 |
| Oklahoma | $1,911 | $2,256 | $2,356 |
| Oregon | $1,388 | $1,745 | $1,723 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,703 | $2,014 | $2,012 |
| Rhode Island | $2,012 | $2,503 | $2,567 |
| South Carolina | $1,703 | $2,019 | $2,056 |
| South Dakota | $1,862 | $2,158 | $2,157 |
| Tennessee | $1,411 | $1,649 | $1,678 |
| Texas | $1,937 | $2,296 | $2,365 |
| Utah | $1,599 | $1,897 | $1,932 |
| Vermont | $1,094 | $1,262 | $1,289 |
| Virginia | $1,217 | $1,494 | $1,502 |
| Washington | $1,510 | $1,977 | $2,106 |
| Washington, D.C. | $2,034 | $2,389 | $2,400 |
| West Virginia | $1,627 | $1,873 | $1,925 |
| Wisconsin | $1,345 | $1,682 | $1,801 |
| Wyoming | $1,801 | $2,378 | $2,070 |
*Cost data based off 2022 information
What About Non-Moving Violations?
While your car insurance rate could increase dramatically after a speeding ticket or DUI, it will likely stay the same if you commit a non-moving violation. Insurance companies typically don’t penalize policyholders for violations like a parking ticket or a citation for having a broken headlight or not wearing a seat belt.
What You Can Do About Tickets on Your Record
The more violations you have on your record, the higher your insurance rate will probably be. Your provider will check your motor vehicle report each time you renew your insurance policy. These reports may include the following:
- Your name, date of birth and driver’s license number
- Traffic citations
- Speeding tickets
- DUI convictions
- Accident reports
- License suspensions
- Number of points
How your driving infractions affect your record could depend on where you live. A state’s department of motor vehicles often determines how many points are added to a driver’s license for each type of violation.
Most traffic violations stay on your driving record for three to five years. If you get a ticket, you may have options such as contesting it, requesting a deferral or going to traffic school.
Contest Your Ticket in Court
You can try to have your ticket dismissed in court or at least get it reduced to a lesser infraction. If it’s for a serious offense, consider hiring an attorney.
Request a Deferral
A traffic deferral keeps your ticket off of your driving record for six to 12 months. It requires you to plead guilty and pay the fine for the violation and a fee for the deferral. If you obey the deal’s conditions during this period, your ticket will be dismissed and won’t show up on your record.
Take a Defensive Driving Course
In addition to teaching you safe driving habits, traffic school could help remove a driving violation from your record and prevent an increase in your insurance rate. Check out your state’s procedures for enrolling in a defensive driving course to see if you’re eligible.
How Does a Traffic Ticket Affect Insurance Rates?: Conclusion
A traffic ticket can affect your insurance rate for roughly three to seven years. A few factors help determine how long a ticket affects your premium and how much more you might pay for coverage. These include which insurer you have, which state you live in and how serious the violation is.
Top Auto Insurance Recommendations
One of the best ways to save money on your insurance premium is to shop around for the right provider. If you have traffic violations on your driving record, compare car insurance quotes from at least three insurers. State Farm and Geico are good places to start.
Compare Car Insurance Rates
Get matched with a top provider and compare instant quotes in just a few clicks
Secure. Fast. Free.
State Farm: Best Customer Experience
State Farm is one of our top picks for auto insurance thanks to its wide availability, its low average rates and its discounts for all types of drivers. State Farm’s Drive Safe and Save™ is a telematics program that can help safe drivers save on their car insurance premiums. Motorists with violations on their driving records may find the program especially useful.
Keep reading: State Farm insurance review
Geico: Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers
On average, Geico is one of the cheapest national insurance companies for drivers with a speeding ticket or DUI conviction. Its DriveEasy telematics insurance program tracks behaviors like speeding and rewards good drivers with a discount on their insurance coverage.
Keep reading: Geico insurance review
How Does a Traffic Ticket Affect Insurance Rates?: FAQ
Having one point on your license probably won’t affect your car insurance rate. States base their point systems on how severe driving offenses are, so if you only have one point, your insurance company likely won’t increase your premium.
Traffic tickets generally come off of your driving record within three to five years, but this depends on the auto insurance company, what state you live in and how severe your traffic violation is. Running a stop sign will have lighter consequences than being convicted of a DUI, for instance.
Having a clean record means there are no speeding tickets, DUIs, at-fault accidents or other driving infractions on your record. The cleaner your driving record, the better chance you’ll have of getting a lower insurance premium.
On average, a DUI leads to an insurance-rate increase of about 70%. This is for full coverage for a 35-year-old male driver with good credit.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Cost: Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
- Coverage: Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Reputation and experience: Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
- Customer experience: This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
Our credentials:
- 800 hours researched
- 45 companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at editors@marketwatchguides.com.