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How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Massachusetts

Mary Van Keuren Maggie Kempken
Written by
Mary Van Keuren,
Edited by
Maggie Kempken
Published on January 16, 2025 | 4 min read

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Even a driver who is generally safe and careful might get a speeding ticket occasionally, and that can lead to questions for drivers in the Bay State. For example, how long does a speeding ticket stay on your record in Massachusetts? Or What are the MA speeding ticket fines I’ll need to pay? We took a close look at Massachusetts insurance law and reviewed average rates from the state’s major insurers to help you answer these and other questions. In some cases, you may be able to save money on your policy, even after a speeding ticket in Massachusetts.

How much is a speeding ticket in Massachusetts?

Based on Massachusetts car insurance laws, there are several fines you could face after a speeding ticket, depending on the circumstances and on how fast you were going. Here are potential penalties you may have to pay following your speeding conviction:

  • Base fee: $50
  • Additional fee for every mile over 10 mph of the limit: $10
  • Surcharge: $50

If this seems confusing, here’s an example: if you are ticketed for driving 16 miles above the limit, you will pay the base fee, plus the surcharge, plus $60, which is an additional $10 for each mile you went that was above 10 miles over the limit. Added together, that means you will owe $160 to the state. Special circumstances, such as speeding in a construction zone, may increase your fine. It is also likely that you will have two or more points added to your record, depending on your speed.

You may also see an increase in your car insurance premium. Based on Bankrate’s research, the average cost of car insurance in MA for a driver with a clean record is $2,092 for full coverage, while the minimum coverage average is $536 annually. Following a speeding ticket, the average rates increase to $2,409 and $612, respectively, or 28 percent more.

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The cheapest car insurance for Massachusetts drivers with a speeding ticket

If your rate increases following a ticket, it may be a good time to consider switching your coverage to another company that offers lower rates. You may want to start your search with Bankrate’s list of the cheapest car insurance companies in Massachusetts. Our research indicates that the companies below may also be worth exploring for cheap rates after an MA speeding ticket: 

Company Full coverage rate in MA before speeding ticket Full coverage rate in MA after speeding ticket % increase after speeding ticket 
Plymouth Rock $1,229 $1,886 53%
Geico $1,686 $1,894 12%
Farmers $1,984 $2,508 26%
Main Street America $1,769 $2,623 48%
Amica $2,450 $2,941 20%
*All rates displayed are average annual full coverage rates. 

What to do after a speeding ticket in Massachusetts

Even if you have never gotten a speeding ticket, it’s a good idea to know what your options are if it happens. You could consider the following strategies to address your ticket, and choosing the right one for your situation could even help you save money in the long run.

Fight the ticket

If you believe your ticket was given in error, or there were mitigating circumstances that should be reviewed, you may want to appeal the ticket in court. To prepare, review your ticket carefully to ensure it was filled out properly, and gather any evidence, such as dashcam videos or photos of obscured mileage signs. Be polite and respectful when you are in the courthouse, and avoid acting in a confrontational manner. Or, if you’re more comfortable, consider hiring an attorney to represent you. 

Take a defensive driving course

Defensive driving courses are available in Massachusetts both in-person and online. If you have multiple infractions, attending a course may keep you from a suspended license or allow you to have your license reinstated. These courses are generally low in cost and only require a few hours to complete. Successfully finishing a course may also make you eligible for a car insurance discount, as well as help you brush up on your skills behind the wheel.

Shop around for coverage

You are likely to pay more for your policy after a ticket, making it a good time to consider switching to another company that could offer you lower rates. Asking for quotes is usually simple and free, only requiring you to answer a few questions online. Since every insurer uses different methodologies to determine rates, don’t be discouraged if one company’s quote is high—the next one may be lower, and asking several insurers for quotes may help you find affordable coverage, even with a speeding ticket on your record.

Pay the fine

Possibly the simplest way to handle a ticket is to pay the fine and resolve to drive more carefully in the future. You can pay your ticket by phone, by mail or online. If paying online, wait 10 days after your citation, since the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) needs time to process your ticket. To pay online, you’ll need the citation number, incident date, your email and the fee. Keep in mind that paying your fine without going to court means the ticket will go on your driving record. 

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze January 2025 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 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 2023 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.

Incident: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: single speeding ticket.

Written by
Mary Van Keuren Arrow Right Icon
Contributor, Insurance
Mary Van Keuren has written for insurance domains such as Bankrate, Coverage.com, and The Simple Dollar for the past five years, specializing in home and auto insurance. She has also written extensively for consumer websites including Reviews.com and Slumber Yard. Prior to that, she worked as a writer in academia for several decades.