How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Maine
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Maine has over 1,000,000 licensed drivers in the state. While not all drivers will be convicted of a speeding violation, it’s important to understand the fines and penalties allowed by Maine law associated with a speeding conviction. In addition to fines, increased premiums with auto insurance are another financial consideration for drivers. A speeding ticket increased the average cost of car insurance in Maine by 22%, according to Bankrate’s 2021 study of quoted annual premiums from Quadrant Information Services.
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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.
How much is a speeding ticket in Maine?
The penalty for a speeding ticket is to pay a fine, and the fines increase as the miles per hour (mph) over the speed limit increases. Maine law breaks down the costs for speeding into the following tiers:
- 1 to 9 mph over the limit is a fine of $114
- 10 to 14 mph over the limit is a fine of $129
- 15 to 19 mph over the limit is a fine of $170
- 20 to 24 mph over the limit is a fine of $230
- 25 to 29 miles mph over the limit is a fine of $278
However, fines can be even higher if you are caught speeding in a construction, school or emergency zone and may be as much as $531 per offense. If driving more than 30 mph over the speed limit, in addition to fines, a driver could face license suspension and possible jail time.
How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Maine?
When it comes to insurance premiums, there are a range of factors which influence your exact rate. Age and gender are two examples of personal factors that make an impact. While it is generally common for male drivers to pay more than female drivers, especially at a young age, the difference between male vs females in Maine is about 1% when factoring in a speeding ticket. Keep in mind these rates reflect average annual full coverage premiums. The level of coverage you have as well as your specific ZIP code can mean your rates vary from these, with or without a speeding ticket factored in.
| Age | Average annual full coverage premium before speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-year-old male | $897 | $1,072 | 20% |
| 40-year-old female | $862 | $1,027 | 19% |
On the whole, rates with a speeding ticket conviction do increase around 20% for all drivers in Maine, based on the rate information reviewed.
How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in Maine
If you get a speeding ticket in Maine, bear in mind that an increase in insurance costs is not the end of the story. Fortunately, there are several ways to save on the rates or even secure a lower premium with a few key approaches.
Get quotes from other car insurance companies
Getting quotes from numerous carriers is an effective way to compare rates and find the best coverage options for your situation. The table below shows how widely different the rates can be from one carrier to the next. You can use this to your advantage by comparing several companies and finding the one best for your budget, even if you have a speeding ticket on your record.
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium before speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,302 | $2,681 | 16% |
| Electric Insurance Company | $2,909 | $3,778 | 30% |
| Farmers | $1,931 | $2,416 | 25% |
| Geico | $1,421 | $1,680 | 18% |
| MMG | $828 | $1,019 | 23% |
| Progressive | $1,545 | $1,979 | 28% |
| USAA | $1,176 | $1,410 | 20% |
| Vermont Mutual | $1,099 | $1,385 | 26% |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $977 | $1,126 | 15% |
*Premiums are average annual full coverage premiums for 40-year-olds
Of course budget is a key factor, but other aspects of coverage are worth considering when determining whether to keep or switch car insurance companies. Be sure to review a company’s customer service reviews and financial strength ratings to get a well-rounded view of the company performance.
Modify your coverage
If you choose to stay with your current carrier, modifying your existing coverage may help offset the cost of the increase from a ticket. Review your current selections and then see where you can remove or modify coverage, such as raising the deductibles with comprehensive and collision coverage. Be sure to speak to a licensed agent about coverage options and recommendations.
Improve your credit
Although improving your credit score may take a little more time compared to other strategies, it can impact how much you pay. In the eyes of insurers, credit is commonly associated with risk. If you have a higher credit score, then your premiums could be lower. Paying bills on time, tackling debt and keeping credit card utilization low are methods to start using right away to improve credit over time and offset other higher risk variables, such as having a speeding ticket on your record.
Other speeding ticket considerations
Not only are there costs with the actual speeding ticket, but you could face court fees, administrative and processing fees plus the potential increase in premiums. Maine also uses a demerit point system, and drivers who receive a speeding ticket are assessed between four to six points, depending on how far over the speed limit it is. Maine law dictates if you receive 12 points in a one year period then your license will be suspended for 15 days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car insurance company for drivers with speeding tickets?
To find the best insurance company, even with speeding tickets or other traffic violations on your record, comparing multiple carriers is a recommended strategy. This not only shows you which carrier offers the lowest premiums, but also helps you find the best coverage options for your circumstances.
Do I need to notify my insurance carrier if I receive a speeding ticket?
No, you do not need to notify your insurance company if you are issued a speeding ticket. The company will most likely find out about the ticket when your updated driving record is pulled during a renewal. There are also cases where the DMV notifies insurance companies directly after certain traffic violations.
Why did my insurance increase after getting a speeding ticket in Maine?
An increase in premiums after getting a speeding ticket is to be expected in most states, and Maine’s data indicates it is no exception. Insurance companies base rates on risk, and a driver with a speeding ticket is considered more of a risk. This risk is seen in an average of about 20% higher rates for drivers with a speeding 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.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
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