When driving in the United States, seeing police lights flashing in the rearview mirror can be quite nerve-wracking for drivers as it often comes with potential penalties like fines, court appearances, or points on their record. In states like California and five others, receiving a speeding ticket can also lead to a sharp increase in car insurance premiums.
According to a survey by the personal finance website Bankrate, speeding can cause an average 23% increase in full coverage car insurance premiums nationwide, with some areas experiencing a staggering 49% spike. The cost of a single speeding violation can indeed be substantial.
There are various factors that can affect fluctuations in individual car insurance premiums. Bankrate suggests that the extent to which car insurance rates rise after a speeding conviction largely depends on the driver’s location. Analyzing data from “Quadrant Information Services”, the website found that the following five states had the highest increases in premiums.
North Carolina (49% increase): Currently, the average annual full coverage car insurance premium in North Carolina is $1,957, but with a speeding violation on record, premiums are likely to soar to at least $2,915, a 49% increase. Drivers may also face a three-year speeding surcharge. Since premium increases in this state are controlled by the government, accumulating more points from violations can lead to even higher premiums, sometimes up to 340%.
Wyoming (40% increase): In Wyoming, a driver with a good driving record typically pays an average of $1,759 per year for full coverage car insurance, but with a speeding violation, premiums could rise to $2,466 annually.
California (39% increase): Even with a good record, car insurance rates in California are generally higher compared to other places, hence the significant increase in premiums. As of April 2025, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in California was $2,975 per year. Adding a speeding ticket could push premiums up to $4,145 annually.
Massachusetts (28% increase): Drivers in Massachusetts pay an average of $2,091 per year for full coverage car insurance. However, with a speeding conviction, premiums could rise to $2,678 annually.
Illinois (26% increase): Drivers in Illinois also face higher car insurance premiums. A driver with a good record pays an average of $2,400 per year for full coverage insurance, but with a speeding ticket, premiums would increase to $3,035.
Bankrate researchers were surprised to find that in New York, the increase in premiums after speeding was only 7%, but the state’s car insurance premiums were already high. For a driver with a good record in New York, the annual full coverage car insurance premium can be as high as $4,192.
Neighboring New Jersey follows a similar trend. Although the increase in premiums after a speeding conviction is lower, the average annual insurance premium in the state is $2,957.
After receiving a traffic ticket in the US, individuals typically have the option to plead guilty or not guilty. Pleading guilty usually involves paying the fine indicated on the ticket or attending traffic school to avoid points on the record. If a driver chooses to plead not guilty, they usually have to appear in court to defend themselves. Only if the judge rules in favor of innocence can fines or points be waived.
Bankrate highlights that not everyone has the time to go to court and defend themselves. However, for drivers with too many points on their record, appearing in court to defend themselves is the only way to reduce or eliminate additional points.
According to Bankrate, “courts are more lenient on first-time offenders”. After defending themselves in court, judges are likely to reduce a speeding ticket to a “non-moving violation”, which carries lower fines and has no impact on car insurance premiums. As long as no conviction is made, premiums won’t skyrocket.
If a driver was speeding to avoid an accident, Bankrate recommends they defend themselves and provide favorable evidence of what happened, as judges may dismiss the ticket.
(This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, legal, real estate, or financial planning advice.)