How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Kentucky
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Depending on the severity of the violation, a Kentucky speeding ticket may result in penalties including fines and points added to your license. If convicted, drivers are also likely to face higher car insurance premiums. The average annual full coverage rate jumps from $2,603 per year to a notable $3,212, according to Bankrate’s analysis of quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services.
How much is a speeding ticket in Kentucky?
The cost of a speeding ticket in Kentucky varies based on how much someone’s speeding and where they are driving. Drivers who speed may be fined, incur points on their license or have their license suspended. The largest fines and penalties come for speeding 26 mph or more over the posted limit in Kentucky.
If convicted of speeding in Kentucky, the following points may be added to your license:
- 10 mph or less over the speed limit: 0 points
- 11-15 mph over the speed limit: 3 points
- 16-25 mph over the speed limit: 6 points
- 26 mph or more: Points to be determined by a hearing
Beyond the points system, there are specific costs associated with speeding in Kentucky:
| Miles per hour over the speed limit | Fine amount |
|---|---|
| 1 mph | $1 |
| 2 mph | $2 |
| 3 mph | $3 |
| 4 mph | $4 |
| 5 mph | $5 |
| 6 mph | $16 |
| 7 mph | $17 |
| 8 mph | $18 |
| 9 mph | $19 |
| 10 mph | $20 |
| 11 mph | $22 |
| 12 mph | $24 |
| 13 mph | $26 |
| 14 mph | $28 |
| 15 mph | $30 |
| 16 mph | $32 |
| 17 mph | $34 |
| 18 mph | $36 |
| 19 mph | $38 |
| 20 mph | $40 |
| 21 mph | $43 |
| 22 mph | $46 |
| 23 mph | $49 |
| 24 mph | $52 |
| 25 mph | $55 |
| 26+ mph | $60 but no greater than $100 |
How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Kentucky?
How a speeding ticket affects car insurance rates in Kentucky depends on the insurance company and the severity of the incident. Insurance premiums are based on risk, therefore drivers with marks on their driving records typically face higher premiums than those with clean driving records. Speeding is of particular concern to insurers, as one in four fatal crashes were tied to excessive speed in 2021, per data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Several other factors — like your age, gender, ZIP code, vehicle make and model and more — are also weighed when insurers calculate rates. While you can’t control things like your age, driving safely is one of the most effective ways to keep your car insurance rates in check.
The table below provides insight into average rates by gender for full coverage car insurance in Kentucky before and after a speeding ticket.
| Age | Average annual full coverage premium before speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | Percentage increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-year-old male | $2,638 | $3,265 | 24% |
| 40-year-old female | $2,569 | $3,159 | 23% |
| Total average | $2,604 | $3,212 | 23% |
How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in Kentucky
After you get a speeding ticket in Kentucky, your insurance premium is very likely to increase. The good news is that there are still ways to save.
Get quotes from other car insurance companies
Exploring different options by obtaining and comparing car insurance quotes can potentially lead to significant savings, especially after receiving a speeding ticket in Kentucky. It’s worth noting that insurance providers often have varied premium adjustments in response to traffic violations. Therefore, while one company might hike up your rate significantly, another might offer a more lenient rate adjustment. Diversifying your options and taking the time to compare can help position you better financially post-ticket.
Take a look at the table below to see how much of a discrepancy there can be.
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium before speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | Percentage increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $2,479 | $2,888 | 16% |
| Geico | $2,143 | $2,426 | 13% |
| USAA | $2,091 | $2,636 | 26% |
| Westfield | $2,485 | $2,924 | 18% |
| Nationwide | $2,217 | $2,599 | 17% |
*Premiums are average annual full coverage premiums for 40-year-olds
While shopping for Kentucky car insurance, you might want to pay particular attention to the price of the quotes you receive, a company’s customer satisfaction scores with companies like J.D. Power and the coverage types, discounts and policy features that are available.
Look for discounts
Car insurance companies typically have an array of discounts that could significantly decrease your premium. By examining the offerings, you might find several for which you qualify. Here are some potential discounts you can explore:
- Bundling discounts: You could qualify for a discount by bundling your auto policy with another insurance product from the same company, like homeowners or renters insurance.
- Paperless billing: Choosing electronic billing could potentially reduce your premium, as some insurers offer a discount as an incentive.
- Automatic payments: Insurance providers may offer discounts for enrolling in autopay.
- Multi-car discounts: Insuring more than one vehicle could lead to additional savings.
- Safe driver discount: You may get a reduced premium for maintaining a clean driving record without accidents or traffic violations.
- Low mileage discount: Drive less than the average annual mileage and you may be eligible for reduced premiums from your provider.
- Usage-based insurance discount: Allow your insurer to monitor your driving habits using telematics devices for potential discounts based on safe driving behavior.
Remember, you can ask about these and other discounts when discussing your policy with an agent. They might be able to provide insights into the best ways to optimize savings based on your unique circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
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The best car insurance company after a speeding ticket will vary based on your own needs, wants and rating factors. Some drivers might be looking for the cheapest car insurance policy they can find, while others may have specific coverage needs in mind. Getting quotes from a few different companies could help you compare the options and choose a policy that is right for you.
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Most companies look at the tickets you’ve received in the last three to five years, but the time period varies by company. After that, a speeding conviction shouldn’t affect your premium. Changing companies could help you secure a lower premium in the wake of a ticket, but not always. Insurers check your driving record when determining your eligibility for coverage and pricing your policy, so you won’t start with a blank slate.
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While it might seem necessary to inform your insurer immediately after receiving a speeding ticket in Kentucky, it’s generally not mandated for you to report it right away. That being said, insurance companies often discover these infractions independently during policy renewals or periodic checks. So, even if you don’t relay the information, they’ll eventually become aware of any changes to your driving record. Nonetheless, be mindful that such tickets can potentially influence your premiums in the long run.
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When seeking cost-effective insurance solutions, Auto-Owners, USAA and Geico often emerge as top contenders, according to Bankrate’s analysis. It’s worth noting that the cheapest car insurance company can vary based on individual circumstances, such as driving history and coverage needs. Therefore, while these companies offer competitive rates, you may want to consider comparing car insurance quotes to find the best fit for your situation.
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Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze April 2024 rates for all 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 single, 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
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), single speeding ticket.
Gender: The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.
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