How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Florida

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In Florida, there were over 663,000 speeding tickets issued in 2021. Because it is a common traffic citation, you may want to know how a speeding ticket can affect your auto insurance rates. This may help you better prepare for the insurance consequences of a speeding ticket and help you understand how to lower your insurance costs if you already have tickets on your motor vehicle record (MVR).
Bankrate’s editorial team used Quadrant Information Services to obtain current quoted premium information for drivers in Florida. We have analyzed this data by gender and insurance company to help Florida drivers better understand how and why speeding tickets negatively affect their auto insurance premiums.
- According to our research and rate data provided by Quadrant Information Services, the average annual increase in Florida full coverage car insurance premiums after getting a speeding ticket is $586.
- Although men tend to pay more for car insurance than women, the total average premium for women in Florida after a speeding ticket is $3,774 — $10 more per year than Florida men post-ticket ($3,764).
- State Farm and Geico are among the cheapest car insurance companies in Florida for drivers with a speeding ticket.
How much is a speeding ticket in Florida?
Florida can assess monetary fines and add points to your driver’s license if you are found guilty of speeding. For most speeding violations in the Sunshine State, the maximum fine is typically $500, but if the violation occurs in a construction or school zone, or if you are caught speeding excessively, the maximum fine could range from $1,000 to $5,000. The specific number of points assessed to your Florida driver’s license, and other negative implications, is determined by how fast you are driving over the lawful or posted speed limit:
- 15 mph or less (3 points): After about three years, the points are usually no longer considered a rating factor with many insurers when determining your insurance rates, but the violation stays listed on your MVR forever.
- 16 mph or more (4 points): Similarly, the points usually “fall off” your record after about three years.
- 30 mph or more (4 points): This violation can also include a mandatory court date and potential license suspension. The points may drop off your driving record after three years, but the violation stays on your MVR forever.
- 50 mph or more (4 points): This is the most serious level of speeding violations. If it is the first offense for a violation of this magnitude, you could be fined $1,000. A second offense could earn a $2,500 fine. You could be charged with a third-degree felony, including jail time, face a fine of up to $5,000 and revocation of your driver’s license for 10 years for additional offenses.
How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Florida?
In addition to fines and driver’s license points, Florida drivers with a speeding ticket conviction will likely see an increase in their insurance premiums. Based on proprietary rate data from Quadrant Information Services, the average premium increase after a speeding ticket in Florida is $586 per year. However, since Florida allows insurance companies to consider your gender to help determine your rate, how much your premium may go up after a speeding ticket depends on if you are a male or female, as demonstrated by the table below.
It may also be worth noting that, in Florida, car insurance companies may use your age, credit score and ZIP code (among other rating factors) to calculate your rate. As such, you may pay more or less than the average, whether or not you’ve received a speeding ticket.
Average annual full coverage premium before speeding a ticket conviction | Average annual full coverage premium after a speeding ticket conviction | Premium increase | |
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Male | $3,169 | $3,764 | $595 |
Female | $3,198 | $3,774 | $576 |
State average | $3,183 | $3,769 | $586 |
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Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit, a single speeding ticket 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
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in Florida
Although a speeding ticket in Florida will generally increase your car insurance premium, there are several steps you can take to potentially lower the cost of your car insurance. Typically, speeding tickets will generate a surcharge on your auto insurance policy for three to five years, although the exact timeframe will depend on your company’s underwriting criteria.
Get quotes from other car insurance companies
Many insurance professionals agree that one of the best ways to ensure you are paying competitive premiums is to request quotes from more than one company. If you’re looking for the best car insurance company in Florida after a speeding ticket, State Farm and Geico may be some top considerations for cheap premiums.
Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium before a speeding ticket conviction | Average annual full coverage premium after a speeding ticket conviction | Premium increase |
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State Farm | $2,307 | $2,633 | $326 |
Geico | $2,356 | $3,192 | $836 |
Allstate | $3,137 | $4,005 | $868 |
Progressive | $3,251 | $4,491 | $1,240 |
When comparing car insurance quotes, you might want to consider customer service reviews, claims satisfaction, financial strength ratings, coverage options and available discounts. Using these factors, you may be able to find a car insurance company that offers the coverage you want for a cheaper rate in Florida than what you are currently paying.
Ask about discounts
If you want to stay with your current insurance carrier, you may want to confirm that you are taking advantage of as many many discounts as you can. Most insurance companies offer discounts, which might help to offset the increase in your premium after a speeding ticket. Common savings opportunities include paperless billing discounts, vehicle safety features discounts and paid-in-full discounts.
Shop for a different car
Although getting a different vehicle is not a reasonable solution for everyone, it could help you lower your car insurance premium. One of the factors used to determine your auto insurance rate is the make and model of the car you drive. Opting for a less expensive vehicle to repair or replace could lower your insurance premium. You may want to have your agent give you a quote for a different car before you purchase a new vehicle to make sure that the premium difference is significant enough for you to change vehicles.
Change your coverage
If you have full coverage on your car, you may be able to switch your coverage to liability only to save money on your premium. However, you should be aware that your vehicle will not have any coverage for damage, theft or vandalism if you remove full coverage. If you cause an accident, collide with a stationary object, hit a deer or otherwise damage your vehicle, your insurance policy will not provide coverage for the repairs or replacement. Additionally, if you financed your vehicle, your lender will likely require you to maintain full coverage as a condition of your loan or lease. You may want to consider reviewing your policy with your agent before making changes to your coverage.
Other speeding ticket considerations
In addition to increased car insurance rates, there are other factors to consider if you get a traffic citation in Florida. You may have to pay fines. If you decide to contest the ticket, you will likely need to make a court appearance or hire a lawyer.
Depending on the severity of the traffic violation and your previous driving record, you could also face additional penalties. Getting 12 points on your Florida license within a 12-month timespan can result in a three-month suspension of your driver’s license. You may also be required to complete an approved driver improvement course, which carries its own costs, and pay a fee to have your license reinstated.
Frequently asked questions
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Each insurer has a proprietary underwriting rating structure for speeding tickets, as well as its own algorithm for determining rates based on age, gender, vehicle type and other factors. If you have a speeding ticket on your record, you may want to gather quotes from several companies to determine which is the best car insurance company for your needs.
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In Florida, you can choose to contest a ticket in court or complete an approved driver improvement course, which could mean you will not be convicted. A speeding ticket should not affect your insurance premiums if you are not convicted, although it might still become a permanent part of your MVR. Additionally, some companies include “violation forgiveness” in their standard auto insurance coverage package. Although each company has its own guidelines regarding this coverage, if you had a clean driving record before the ticket, your infraction may be forgiven and your rates may not increase if the speeding violation is considered “minor,” and it is the first blemish on your MVR. Check with your agent or insurer to see if your policy offers this benefit.
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Moving violations like speeding tickets, reckless driving citations and DUI or DWI convictions will typically negatively affect your auto insurance rates. Depending on the type and number of tickets you receive, your insurance company could deem you as a high-risk driver, and high-risk drivers typically pay some of the highest rates.
In contrast, non-moving violations like seat belt infractions and parking tickets do not generally impact insurance premiums. Each carrier is different, though, so checking your insurer’s underwriting guidelines is the best way to determine how your company assesses speeding tickets. Your agent can provide you with these details.
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