How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Maine
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If you get pulled over for your lead foot, you may immediately have a flood of questions. Does your insurance go up for a speeding ticket in Maine? How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record? A speeding conviction can set you back several hundred dollars, but thankfully, it will only stay on your record for one year. Still, it’s important to understand how a speeding ticket will affect your insurance rate so you’re not caught off guard. The average annual full coverage rate in Maine for drivers with a clean record is $941 for full coverage and $225 for minimum coverage. After a ticket, you can expect to pay an average of $1,134 for full coverage and $264 for minimum insurance.
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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?
Speeding ticket costs in Maine depend on how far over the speed limit you get clocked. Unsurprisingly, the fine increases the faster you’re going. The state also has an “imprudent speed” ticket that costs $134 and may be given if you’re driving too fast for current conditions, such as in the rain or on icy roads.
Speeding infractions in Maine are associated with the following fines:
- 1 to 9 mph over the limit: $114
- 10 to 14 mph over the limit: $129
- 15 to 19 mph over the limit: $170
- 20 to 24 mph over the limit: $230
- 25 to 29 miles mph over the limit: $278
- Speeding up while being passed: $154
- Stopping or suddenly reducing speed without signal: $152
However, speeding tickets in Maine can exceed $278 in certain circumstances. These include:
- Driving in a construction zone: $203 to $531 (depending on speed)
- Driving in a school zone: $203 to $531 (depending on speed)
- Driving in an emergency zone: $325
Note that driving more than 30 mph over the speed limit is a class E criminal offense, which carries a maximum fine of $1,000 plus a license suspension of up to 30 days. This type of offense could even carry probation or jail time. The punishment will factor in the driver’s previous driving record.
How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Maine?
The average increase in insurance premiums in Maine after a speeding ticket is 21 percent. Changes to your insurance can be more significant depending on your demographics.
Both male drivers and young drivers tend to pay higher premiums — even with a clean driving record. Because these types of drivers tend to be involved in more accidents, including more deadly accidents, their baseline rate is higher than older drivers. Six states have banned using gender as a pricing determinant for car insurance, but Maine is not one of them.
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 | Percentage increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-year-old male | $963 | $1,162 | 21% |
| 40-year-old female | $920 | $1,107 | 20% |
| Total average | $942 | $1,135 | 20% |
How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in Maine
While it is standard for speeding tickets in Maine to lead to an increase in insurance premiums, it’s typically not impossible to mitigate the damage to your wallet. You may still be able to lower your insurance rate, though, with the tips below. Looking for discounts and exploring other insurance providers in Maine may help you keep any increase to a minimum.
Get quotes from other car insurance companies
Different car insurance companies can offer vastly different rates, even after examining the exact same variables, such as your age and driving record. The table below shows how widely rates can vary from one carrier to the next in response to a Maine speeding conviction. You can leverage these differences to your benefit by shopping around for a lower rate, even with a speeding ticket on your record.
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 its performance.
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium before speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | Percent increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countryway Insurance | $850 | $1,064 | 25% |
| USAA | $880 | $1,007 | 14% |
| State Farm | $908 | $1,032 | 14% |
| Bristol West | $1,357 | $1,626 | 20% |
| Allstate | $1,953 | $2,521 | 29% |
*Premiums are average annual full coverage premiums for 40-year-olds
Look for discounts
Even drivers with a recent speeding infraction can still take advantage of auto insurance discounts. Many providers offer better prices to people who insure multiple cars, for instance. You may also qualify for a discount if you work in certain industries or your vehicle has certain safety features. These discounts could offset some or all of your speeding ticket increase.
Consider the following when trying to lower your rate:
- Taking a defensive driving course could lower your rate
- If you don’t drive many miles per month, you may want to explore telematics discounts
- Bundling home and car insurance can often mean a lower rate
Frequently asked questions
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To find the best insurance company, even with speeding tickets or other traffic violations on your record, it’s smart to compare multiple carriers. This not only shows you which carrier offers the lowest premiums overall but also helps you find the best coverage options for your circumstances.
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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 your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles notifies insurance companies directly after certain traffic violations.
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Car insurance companies have different rates for different cars, and in most states, they factor in things like age and gender. For that reason, the cheapest car insurance company will vary by driver. Insurance companies with some of the lowest average rates include MMG, USAA and Geico. Of those three, Geico tends to increase premium costs the least after a speeding ticket.
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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
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 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, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile (40 years) applied. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.
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