How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Maryland
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A speeding ticket on your driving record increases the average cost of car insurance in Maryland by 11%, according to Bankrate’s 2021 study of quoted annual premiums. The increase is due to an increased risk of filing claims. In Maryland in 2019, the most recent year with available data, 72 fatalities and 2,737 injuries resulted from crashes where speeding was involved.
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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.
Knowing how much a speeding ticket in Maryland can affect your car insurance rates might help prepare you if it happens or provide enough incentive to practice safe driving habits by reducing your speed on the road. Bankrate’s research could help you make educated decisions about your car insurance coverage.
How much is a speeding ticket in Maryland?
The cost of a speeding ticket in Maryland can vary based on your circumstances and which Maryland laws you may have broken. The faster you travel, the higher your ticket penalty is likely to be. You may be charged more for speeding in a school zone or construction zone. Depending on the severity of your ticket, you may have your license or vehicle registration suspended as well.
Speeding tickets in Maryland could also put points on your driver’s license. The number of points you receive depends on the specifics of your citation. If you have eight or more points on your license, you may receive a suspension. Points on your license don’t directly affect your insurance rates, but speeding tickets do typically increase your premium.
How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Maryland?
On average, Maryland speeding tickets increase car insurance premiums by 11%. Women pay slightly less than men both before and after a ticket. This is because statistically, women are less likely to engage in risky driving habits than men.
| Average annual full coverage premium before speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | % increase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-year-old male | $1,893 | $2,097 | 11% |
| 40-year-old female | $1,861 | $2,053 | 10% |
| Total average | $1,877 | $2,075 | 11% |
However, the actual increase you’ll see in your rates after a speeding ticket will vary based on your individual rating factors. Your age, the type of car you drive, your prior driving history, the coverage types and levels you choose, and the company you are with all impact your rates.
How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in Maryland
While drivers in Maryland can reasonably expect their premiums to go up after a speeding ticket, there are ways you can save on your car insurance. Maryland drivers already pay higher-than-average rates compared to the national average, so even drivers with a clean driving record may benefit from these tips to lower their car insurance costs.
Get quotes from other car insurance companies
Different Maryland car insurance companies have different rate structures, which is why you can get a different quoted premium for the same coverage. If you get a speeding ticket in Maryland, shopping around for car insurance from different companies may help you save.
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium before speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,871 | $2,520 | 35% |
| Geico | $1,609 | $1,820 | 13% |
| Nationwide | $1,272 | $1,724 | 36% |
| Progressive | $1,657 | $1,816 | 10% |
| State Farm | $1,961 | $2,082 | 6% |
*Premiums are average annual full coverage premiums for 40-year-olds
When comparing car insurance companies, you might want to consider other factors in addition to price to find the best company for your circumstances. Things like coverage offerings, available discounts, third-party customer service reviews and financial strength ratings can also be important aspects of a company to investigate.
Review your coverage
Insurance experts do not recommend that you drop coverage or lower your limits to save money. However, you might want to check your policy for optional coverage types that you aren’t using. If you have an extra car, for example, you might not need to pay for car rental coverage. If you work from home or have another emergency roadside assistance package, you might be able to safely remove roadside coverage. Talk to your agent before making coverage changes.
Maintain a clean driving record going forward
If you’ve already had a speeding ticket, you’ve seen firsthand the effects that citations can have on your rates. To help keep your rates from increasing even more, you may want to practice safe driving habits and avoid further tickets or accidents. Another driving incident will likely add another surcharge to your policy, so keeping a clean driving record can help keep your rates down.
Other speeding ticket considerations
If you get a speeding ticket in Maryland, an increase in your car insurance costs may not be your only concern. Traffic tickets come in two forms in Maryland: “payable” or “must appear.” If the speeding ticket is payable, you assume guilt by paying the citation and any additional fines, and the state will assess the applicable points. If you get a notice to appear, you must go to court, which can mean additional court costs on top of speeding ticket fines.
In Maryland, you have the option to plead “guilty with an explanation” with a payable citation, which then means you go to court to see a judge. You have the chance to plead your case to the judge to have your fine reduced or waived at their discretion. The judge may also increase your fine, up to $500. If you are found guilty, you can file an appeal, which comes with additional court costs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car insurance company for drivers with speeding tickets?
The best car insurance company in Maryland for drivers with speeding tickets depends on several factors. Your overall driving record, age, coverage types and levels, the type of car you drive and the city you live in can all affect your rates. Getting quotes from different companies for the same coverage might help you find the best car insurance company in Maryland for you.
Should I tell my insurance company about a speeding ticket?
You are not required to tell your insurance company about a speeding ticket. The company will discover the ticket when your driving record is pulled at a renewal or for another reason, as the motor vehicle system is electronic and automatic. Depending on your driving and claims history, you could be deemed a high-risk driver, which generally comes with higher insurance costs.
How long does a speeding ticket affect my insurance costs?
Most companies surcharge for tickets for three to five years, but this time frame can vary depending on your insurance company. After the ticket is old enough, based on the company’s guidelines, you might see your rate go back down, assuming you’ve avoided additional tickets or accidents.
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 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 2019 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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