How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Alabama
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Alabama police write 105 speeding tickets for every 10,000 people in the state annually, and speeding is the leading cause of fatal crashes in the state. A ticket will also impact your auto insurance. A single speeding ticket increased the average cost of car insurance in Alabama by 28%, according to Bankrate’s 2021 study of quoted annual premiums.
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Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
A speeding ticket in Alabama is never a good thing, but understanding how it may impact you — and your wallet — may bring you one step closer to avoiding one.
How much is a speeding ticket in Alabama?
You will be required to pay a fine for your speeding ticket. The cost of this varies depending on what county you were in and how fast you were going. In Huntsville, for example, speeding less than 25 miles over the limit will cost $179; while going faster than that will result in a fine of $199. Generally, fines will be in the $150-300 range. There may also be surcharges, and fees are automatically doubled in a work zone.
How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Alabama?
The table below shows the average increase in car insurance after a speeding ticket in Alabama for a 40-year-old driver. Although the rates for a female driver are slightly higher than for a male driver before a speeding ticket, the rates after the ticket are higher for a male driver. Why? Statistically, women have fewer accidents, according to the Insurance Information Institute, and thus are considered a lower risk by insurance companies. Men also are more likely to engage in risky behavior — such as speeding — and when they have accidents, they are more severe.
Average annual full coverage premium
| Age | Rate before speeding ticket | Rate after speeding ticket | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-year-old male | $1,597 | $2,083 | 30% |
| 40-year-old female | $1,649 | $2,058 | 25% |
| Total average | $1,623 | $2,070 | 28% |
Whether you are male or female, however, you can expect to see an increase of at least 25% in your auto insurance. Your increase may also be impacted by your age. Younger drivers already pay a high premium for car insurance, so the percentage of increase may not be as high.
How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in Alabama
We have looked at how much your insurance goes up after a speeding ticket, but is there any way you can reduce that increase? There are a few factors that may help keep your increase to a minimum. No one wants to pay more than necessary for car insurance, so consider these options if you have received a speeding ticket in Alabama.
Get quotes from other car insurance companies
Getting a speeding ticket may mark a good time to switch insurance companies. It is simple to call insurance agents or go online and obtain free quotes. You may find a much better deal at another insurer. Note that the average annual cost of a car insurance policy in Alabama in general is $1,623.
Average annual full coverage premium by car insurance company in Alabama
| Car insurance company | Rate before speeding ticket | Rate after speeding ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Alfa | $2,138 | $2,288 |
| Allstate | $1,313 | $2,616 |
| American Independent | $3,110 | $3,447 |
| Country Financial | $1,699 | $2,030 |
| Donegal | $1,606 | $1,789 |
| Farmers | $1,432 | $2,138 |
| Geico | $1,423 | $1,701 |
| MetLife | $2,441 | $3,405 |
| Nationwide | $0 | $1,600 |
| Progressive | $1,573 | $2,229 |
| Safeway | $1,825 | $1,588 |
| State Farm | $1,470 | $1,800 |
| Travelers | $1,071 | $1,553 |
| USAA | $1,230 | $1,410 |
*Premiums are average annual full coverage premiums for 40-year-olds
The price you pay is important, but there are also other factors to consider, as well, such as excellent customer service and the insurer’s financial stability. A good place to start your search is with Bankrate’s Best Car Insurance in Alabama for 2021 list.
Analyse your discounts
Reviewing your discounts annually is a good idea even if you do not have a speeding ticket. Any insurance agent can take a look at your policy and make sure you are getting all the discounts for which you are eligible. You may be able to increase your discounts by simple actions, such as bundling your car insurance with your homeowners insurance.
Take a defensive driving course
Taking a qualified defensive driving course may save you money on your insurance and may also, depending on your location, erase points from your license or dismiss a citation. Courses are often reasonably priced and may be available online. Most insurers offer a discount to those who have taken them.
Other speeding ticket considerations
There are several penalties related to an Alabama speeding ticket. First, you will have points assigned to your license: two points if you are going 1-25 miles over the speed limit and five if you are going more than 26 mph over the speed limit. Your license will be suspended if you earn more than 12 points in a two-year period.
Alabama insurance points are only one consideration, however. Multiple tickets may result in a suspended license, as well as a court appearance. You could even face jail time, as well as significant additional costs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car insurance company for drivers with speeding tickets?
A good strategy for finding the best insurance company after an Alabama speeding ticket is to get quotes from several of the insurers who are writing the best policies. Your premium rate is based on multiple factors in addition to your speeding ticket, including your car’s age and model, your own age and gender and more. You may get several different premium rates from different insurers, and can choose the one that’s best for your circumstances.
Why did my insurance go up after my speeding ticket in Alabama?
Insurers write premiums based on the principle of risk. A lower risk driver, who is not as likely to file a claim, will get a better rate than a higher risk driver, because they are more likely to file a claim that will cost the insurer money. When you get a speeding ticket, you are immediately placed in a higher risk pool, resulting in an increased premium.
What is the speeding ticket cost in Alabama?
The speeding ticket cost in Alabama will vary depending on where you received it, but will generally be more than $150. There may be surcharges and administrative charges added in as well. Another cost of your speeding ticket is the average 28% that your auto insurance will increase with just a single ticket.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on 18-year-old and 40-year-old male and female drivers with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
Incident: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied.
Gender: The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.
