How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Massachusetts
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On average, a speeding ticket increases the cost of car insurance in Massachusetts by 28 percent, according to Bankrate’s 2022 study of quoted annual premiums. This is because speeding and crashes often go hand in hand. Speeding could put you at risk for getting into more accidents, and more severe accidents, than drivers going the speed limit. Understanding how a Massachusetts speeding ticket might impact your car insurance rates could help you better prepare should you be cited for speeding.
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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 Massachusetts?
How much does a speeding ticket cost in Massachusetts? While some general guidelines exist within the Massachusetts law, the exact cost of your ticket will depend on the circumstances.
Massachusetts charges $50 plus $10 for every mile over the speed limit, as well as an additional $50 flat fee. If you are cited for going 50 miles per hour (mph) in a 35 mph zone, you will likely pay a $200 fine plus the $50 flat fee for a total of $250.
Additionally, Massachusetts employs a “Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP),” which is essentially a point-based system that keeps track of both good and poor driving behavior. However, insurance companies are not required to use the system. A speeding ticket in Massachusetts may be considered a minor traffic law violation and will typically put two points on your SDIP record. The exact number of points could depend on your speed though; higher rates of speed could be considered more dangerous and thus be classified differently.
How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Massachusetts?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding killed 11,250 people across the U.S. in 2020. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) notes that speed-related crashes accounted for 29 percent of all crash fatalities in the same year. Because speeding is a risky behavior, car insurance companies generally increase premiums accordingly if you have one or more tickets on your driving record.
Average annual full coverage premium
| Rate before speeding ticket | Rate after speeding ticket | % increase |
|---|---|---|
| $1,296 | $1,716 | 28% |
According to Bankrate’s research, the average cost of insurance in Massachusetts increases by 28 percent after a single speeding ticket. That is higher than the national average increase of 21 percent. The increase you see, however, may be more or less depending on the severity of your speeding ticket and your past driving history.
How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket
Though you will likely see a jump in your premium after receiving a speeding ticket, you may be able to lower your bill. Knowing what methods to use to get cheaper insurance could help you be better prepared for the financial fallout of your citation.
Get quotes from other car insurance companies
Shopping around and getting quotes from the best car insurance companies in Massachusetts could help you find a lower rate. Most providers surcharge for speeding tickets but some do not penalize as heavily as others. The table below shows the average cost of car insurance before and after a speeding ticket from some of the largest car insurance companies in Massachusetts.
Average annual full coverage premium
| Car insurance company | Rate before speeding ticket | Rate after speeding ticket | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amica | $1,478 | $1,763 | 18% |
| Geico | $1,110 | $1,245 | 11% |
| Progressive | $1,905 | $2,525 | 28% |
| State Farm | $639 | $734 | 14% |
| Travelers | $2,078 | $2,728 | 27% |
*Premiums are average annual full coverage premiums for 40-year-olds
While shopping for car insurance, you may want to pay particular attention to customer satisfaction scores (like those from J.D. Power), financial strength ratings (like those from AM Best) and online customer reviews. These might help you decide if a company fits your needs.
Increase your deductible
If you have full coverage, you have both a comprehensive deductible and a collision deductible. These car insurance deductibles are the amount you will pay out of pocket if you file a claim for damage to your vehicle. If you’re willing to pay a bigger share of a claim, you can increase one or both deductibles, which generally lowers your premium. Just make sure you can afford the deductible level that you choose.
Take advantage of discounts
Most providers offer a variety of car insurance discounts. You might save by going paperless, paying in full or having certain safety features on your car. One of the largest discounts is the bundling discount, which saves you money when you insure two different policy types with one company. The most common bundle is home and auto, but you may also save if you bundle your auto and renters insurance or add other product lines, like life or pet insurance.
Look into telematics programs
Many car insurance companies are now rolling out telematics programs as a way for drivers to have more influence over their own car insurance policies. In this type of program, driving habits like acceleration and braking, as well as what time a driver is on the road and how many miles they drive during each trip, are collected and analyzed. The safer a driver is, the more likely their rates will decrease. On the flip side, a driver’s insurance rates may also increase if they are driving recklessly.
Consider your vehicle
The make and model of your vehicle impacts how much you pay for car insurance. Some cars are more expensive to repair or replace or may have higher likelihoods of accidents and thus cost more to insure. While getting a different car may not be the most practical way to lower your premium, it could be an option if you are already shopping for a different vehicle.
Other speeding ticket considerations
Massachusetts does not take speeding lightly. If you receive three or more speeding tickets within a 12-month period, your license could be suspended. In Massachusetts, speeding ticket points could come with consequences. No matter how many speeding tickets you get or how often, you’ll likely face fines and you may need to appear in court.
Frequently asked questions
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The best car insurance company after getting a speeding ticket will depend on your own particular rating factors as well as your needs and wants. The best company for someone with one speeding ticket may be different from the best company for someone with multiple tickets. Additionally, the coverage types, discounts, policy features and company attributes that you are looking for will impact your decision. Getting quotes from several companies could help you choose which is best for you.
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Our research found that Massachusetts drivers see an average increase of 28 percent in their car insurance premiums after a speeding ticket. Just remember other factors influence the cost of car insurance besides your driving history. The type of car you drive and the coverage types you choose will all change how much you pay.
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A speeding ticket in Massachusetts can cause two points to be added to your driving record. The exact amount of points could depend on the severity of your infraction and your personal driving record history.
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Most insurance companies will apply a surcharge to your car insurance policy for about three to five years after a speeding ticket. The amount of time will vary by carrier. If you try to shop around for other car insurance options during this period, you may still be surcharged by other carriers as well, as they will be able to see your driving history.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t shop for cheaper car insurance. It’s possible that another carrier may still be more affordable for you, even with a surcharge.
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Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2022 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 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 2020 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.
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