How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Florida
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Car insurance, like many forms of insurance in Florida, is quite expensive, with the average driver paying $3,183 for full coverage and $1,128 for minimum coverage. Both those numbers are well above the national average. Adding a speeding ticket to the mix only drives prices higher, pushing typical rates to $3,769 for full coverage and $1,370 for minimum coverage. Given the large impact that a speeding ticket can have on your insurance rates, it’s important to understand all of the factors that contribute to the amount you pay, as well as strategies for saving money. Bankrate’s editorial team has analyzed data from Quadrant Information Services to help you find the best coverage no matter your driving record.
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 added to your driver’s license and other negative implications are determined by how fast you are driving over the lawful or posted speed limit and whether it’s a first-time speeding ticket in Florida:
- 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 motor vehicle record (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. For a first-time 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, and face a fine of up to $5,000, as well as 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 FL is $586 per year, though this depends on whether you get a full coverage policy or one that meets the minimum legal requirements in Florida. Knowing, for example, how much three points will affect your insurance in Florida can help you prepare for higher rates and better identify a good deal.
Because Florida car insurance companies are allowed to consider your gender when calculating your rate, premiums may vary depending on whether you are male or female (regardless of your record), 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 averages shown here.
Age | Average annual full coverage premium before speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | Percent increase |
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40-year-old male | $3,169 | $3,766 | 19% |
40-year-old female | $3,198 | $3,782 | 18% |
Total average | $3,184 | $3,774 | 19% |
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 speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | Percent increase |
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State Farm | $2,307 | $2,633 | 14% |
Geico | $2,356 | $3,192 | 35% |
Progressive | $3,251 | $4,491 | 38% |
Allstate | $3,137 | $4,005 | 28% |
*Premiums are average annual full coverage premiums for 40-year-olds
Although price is important, you might also want to consider customer service reviews, claims satisfaction, financial strength ratings, coverage options and available discounts. By getting quotes from multiple companies that meet your needs, 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.
Look for discounts
If you want to stay with your current insurance carrier, you may want to confirm that you are taking advantage of as many discounts as you can. Most insurance companies offer discounts, which might help to offset the increase in your premium after a speeding ticket.
Some common discounts include:
- Multi-policy: If you bundle home and auto insurance or renters and auto insurance, you’ll typically qualify for a discount.
- Defensive driver course: Many insurers will offer discounts if you take an approved course on defensive driving.
- Low-mileage: If you only drive on occasion, a usage-based policy can help you save money.
- Paid-in-full: Many insurers will give you the option to make monthly payments but you may be able to get a discount by paying for six months or a full year up front.
- Telematics program: Some insurers will let you download an app or plug a device into your car and monitor your driving habits. If these telematics programs show that you drive safely, you could land a cheaper insurance premium.
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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No, you are not obligated to tell your insurer when you get a speeding ticket. However, your insurer will learn about the ticket eventually. This will happen either when the insurer checks your driving record when you go to renew your policy or at another time.
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There isn’t a single universal cheapest car insurance company. Your insurance rates will vary from one carrier to another, so the cheapest provider will vary from person to person. To find the best deal, you’ll have to put in the effort to shop around and compare multiple quotes.
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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 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