Do I have to declare speeding points on my insurance?
You will have to tell your insurer about your speeding tickets when you are applying for insurance. If you don't, they'll likely find out about it, whether you're signing up for a new policy or making changes to your existing one.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jun 22, 2023
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jun 22, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- You have to declare your speeding ticket when you buy a new policy
- Your ongoing policy will not be affected by your speeding ticket until your renewal
- A speeding ticket will increase your insurance premium
A single speeding violation can increase your insurance premiums. A small lapse in judgment could be the difference between a good driver’s discount and paying a surcharge. Drivers with just one speeding ticket end up paying $45.46 per month more in auto insurance premiums
You got a speeding ticket, do you have to inform your insurer about it? Can you hide it from your insurer? Do you declare it when applying for a new policy? Read on as we explain how speeding points affect your insurance.
Do you have to tell your insurer about a speeding ticket?
You don’t technically have to inform your current insurance provider about a speeding ticket. However, the insurance company will likely see it when you renew your policy, and you will have to tell insurance companies when you’re applying for a new policy. So it’s in your best interest to tell them as soon as it happens.
Your insurance company will likely find out about the ticket on renewal reviewing your driving record is part of the process. If you don’t tell your company and it doesn’t pull the record until later on, insurance companies can backdate the rate increase.
There is no way you can hide your speeding points as insurers can see your driving history.
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Do speeding tickets affect insurance?
Speeding points will increase your insurance rates. Drivers with speeding tickets will be considered in the higher risk group and will be charged higher rates even if they have never made a claim for themselves.
The amount your rates increase as a result of getting a speeding ticket will depend on the insurance company. If you are planning to change your insurance company and are comparing quotes given by different auto insurance companies, be honest about your speeding points. The quote you get will depend on your driving record, among other things.
Factors considered by insurance companies before giving you a quote include:
- Your driving record
- The number of speeding tickets you have
- The time between speeding violations
Your speeding points will affect your auto insurance rates. The extent to which your rates will increase will depend on the above-listed factors.
How Speeding Points Can Affect Your Insurance
We have already established that speeding points will potentially raise your premium amount. But are there any other ways in which a ticket can affect your insurance? Does it have long-term repercussions? It does, here is how it will impact you.
A Poor Driving Record Cancels Out Discounts for Experienced Drivers
The Insurance Information Institute explains that experienced drivers are likely to pay less for car insurance. However, poor driving history can reduce and even nullify the benefits gained from driving experience.
Loss Of Coverage
If your record of accidents and traffic violations is serious enough, you may be declared uninsurable by private insurers. If traditional insurance companies do not offer coverage to you because of the high rate of violations, you can get coverage through a state-run risk plan.
You can check your state’s insurance department to check whether high-risk insurance is available in your state.
What can you do to reduce your premium?
You were driving above the speed limit and got ticketed for it? You made a mistake, what now? Don’t worry, there are ways to improve your record. Here is how you can do it:
Drive Safe
This might sound cliche, but it never fails. The better your driving record, the lower the premiums. Therefore, focus on driving safely and improving your history. If you already have tickets on your record, they will drop off after three years, and you will have a clean slate.
Consider Changing Your Coverage
You can change your coverage amounts to lower your premium. This is a short-term measure. Once your driving record is better, you can then switch back to your original coverage type. Remember you still need to meet the state minimum and also maintain coverage required by your finance company.
Take a Safe Driving Course
Some states offer defensive driving or a safe driving course, or an accident prevention course to reduce the premium. Drivers who complete the course are eligible for discounts.
Some insurers might not raise the premium if it is your first violation and you are over the age of 25.
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Speeding Tickets Make Insurance More Expensive
Speeding tickets affect the cost of your auto insurance. When you buy a new policy, you will have to tell your insurer about your speeding tickets. Even if you do not tell your insurer, it will find out, as insurance companies can see your driving record. Failing to disclose could cause your insurance to be revoked.
You will be considered a high-risk driver and thus will be charged a higher premium if you have a speeding ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to declare speeding points on my insurance?
Yes, it is typically necessary to declare speeding points or any other driving convictions when obtaining an insurance policy or renewing an existing one. It’s important to provide accurate and complete information about your driving history to the insurance company. Failure to disclose speeding points could result in the policy being invalidated or claims being denied in the future.
Why do I need to declare speeding points on my insurance?
Speeding points or driving convictions are considered important factors by insurance companies when assessing risk and determining premium rates. These points indicate a violation of traffic laws and suggest a higher likelihood of being involved in accidents. By declaring your speeding points, you are providing the insurance company with crucial information to properly assess the risk associated with insuring you as a driver.
How long do I need to declare speeding points on my insurance?
The duration for which you need to declare speeding points on your insurance can vary depending on the insurance company and local regulations. In general, most insurance providers require you to disclose any speeding points or driving convictions that occurred within the past five years. However, it’s important to check with your specific insurance company to understand their policy regarding the duration of declaration.
What happens if I don’t declare my speeding points?
Failing to declare speeding points or any other driving convictions when required can have serious consequences. Insurance companies rely on accurate information to assess risk and determine premiums. If you fail to disclose speeding points, your insurance policy could be considered void or invalidated, potentially resulting in denied claims or non-renewal of the policy. Additionally, providing false or misleading information can lead to legal and financial complications.
Will declaring speeding points affect my insurance premium?
Yes, declaring speeding points can have an impact on your insurance premium. Insurance companies consider driving convictions as indicators of increased risk, which can result in higher premiums. Speeding points suggest a propensity for engaging in risky driving behavior, increasing the likelihood of accidents or insurance claims. However, the exact impact on your premium will depend on various factors, such as the number of points, the severity of the offense, your overall driving history, and the specific policies of the insurance company.
Can I still get insurance if I have speeding points?
Yes, it is still possible to obtain insurance if you have speeding points or driving convictions. However, the availability and cost of insurance may be affected. Some insurance companies specialize in providing coverage to drivers with a less-than-perfect driving record, but they may charge higher premiums due to the increased risk. It’s important to shop around, compare quotes from different insurance providers, and work with an insurance agent who can help you find suitable coverage options despite your speeding points.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.