Will a Speeding Ticket Increase My Car Insurance Rates

 Posted on June 03, 2019 in Uncategorized

Everyone who owns a car knows that car insurance is not cheap, and if you have a less-than-perfect driving record, your premiums may be even more expensive. Car insurance companies will check your record before you enroll with them, and they will also typically check your record when it is time to renew your policy.

Speeding is one of the most common reasons why police officers pull people over and it is also a common reason for car insurance premiums to fluctuate, but not all speeding tickets were created equally, so to speak. Some speeding tickets may not even change your rate, while others—typically misdemeanor speeding violations —could cause your rates to skyrocket.

How Much Will My Rate Increase?

The short answer is that there is really no way to know how much your insurance rates will go up unless you talk directly with your insurance company. There are a number of factors that go into deciding how much your insurance premium is each month. Two main factors—the insurance company you use and your driving record—will be the biggest indicators of how much your rate will go up. Typically, you can expect your insurance rates to increase by about 13 percent after you receive a speeding ticket, though that can change depending on the severity of the speeding ticket. For example, receiving a speeding ticket for driving 10 mph over the speed limit is only a traffic citation, whereas if you receive a ticket for speeding 25 mph over the speed limit, the offense is a misdemeanor and will likely result in a higher increase in your rate.

Other Factors

There are also a few other factors that may affect how much your insurance rates go up after a speeding ticket. Insurance companies typically choose how much to charge you by assessing how likely you are to file a claim. This means the insurance company is taking into account the type of vehicle you drive, how old your vehicle is, where your vehicle is parked most of the time, if you have previous infractions on your driving record, and how old you are. Age is a rather important factor in determining car insurance rates, because insurance companies see younger drivers as a higher risk than older drivers.

Do Not Just Pay the Ticket. Contact a Will County Traffic Ticket Attorney Today

Most people think it is a good idea to pay their ticket as soon as possible and forget about it, but the Secretary of State does not just forget about your infraction—it stays on your driving record. If you received a trffic violation, you need representation from a knowledgeable Joliet traffic ticket lawyer immediately. At the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, P.C., we can help you keep your driving record clear and your insurance rates low. Call our office today at 815-740-4025 to schedule a free consultation.