How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Nevada

Nevada may be home to one of America’s biggest gambling hubs, but speeding is always a bad bet. Speeding elevates drivers’ risk of being involved in an accident and can result in legal consequences. Plus, convicted speeders will likely face increased car insurance rates for years to come. Nevada drivers with a clean driving record pay an average of $2,779 per year for full coverage and $973 for minimum coverage. But once you add a speeding ticket to the equation, these averages swell to $3,366 and $1,200, respectively.

How much is a speeding ticket in Nevada?

In the Silver State, a speeding ticket costs $20 for every mile per hour over the speed limit you are driving. So, for example, a 10 over speeding ticket in Nevada will result in a $200 ticket. Fines do top out at $1,000, but at that point, you may get dinged with a more substantial infraction than speeding, such as reckless driving, which may be punishable by jail time.

In order to curb repeat offenders, Nevada also uses a demerit point system for traffic violations. Accumulating 12 or more demerit points within a 12-month period will result in a six-month license suspension. Here’s a breakdown of the number of points that may be added to your license if convicted of speeding:

• 41 mph over speed limit: 5 points
• 31 to 40 mph over speed limit: 4 points
• 21 to 30 mph over speed limit: 3 points
• 11 to 20 mph over speed limit: 2 points
• 1 to 10 mph over speed limit: 1 point
• Driving too fast for conditions: 2 points

A speeding ticket will typically stay on your record for 12 months before falling off your demerit point total. Suspensions may be longer for drivers who continue to drive recklessly. Should your license be suspended, you can apply for a hardship license. If approved, it will solely allow you to drive to and from work or school.

How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Nevada?

Insurers calculate drivers’ insurance premiums based on risk. As such, Nevada car insurance companies are unlikely to turn a blind eye toward convicted speeders. If you have a speeding ticket on your record, you may see a significant increase in your car insurance costs, as reflected in the table below. Serious or repeat offenders may even be labeled high-risk drivers and find it challenging to find coverage at all.

How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in Nevada

After any traffic violation, including speeding, you can expect your car insurance rate to increase. However, this doesn’t mean lower rates are out of reach. Experts recommend getting quotes from several insurers to compare and asking an agent about potential discounts for which you may qualify.

Get quotes from other car insurance companies

Some insurance carriers penalize speeding tickets more than others. So, to increase your odds of finding the right quote for your situation, it is beneficial to shop around and compare several companies. The chart below shows how vast the difference in your premium may be from one carrier to another.

*Premiums are average annual full coverage premiums for 40-year-olds

Look for discounts

With a speeding ticket on your record, you may no longer qualify for certain safe driving discounts — at least in the short term. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be barred from all savings opportunities. Here are some car insurance discounts you may want to ask your provider about:

• Bundling: By purchasing your home and auto coverage from the same provider, you can lower your total insurance costs.
• Safe driving course: Taking an approved driving course could result in savings. In addition, it may allow you to remove demerit points from your driving record.
• Telematics program: These programs involve installing a device into your vehicle or downloading an app on your phone to track your driving habits. This is an opportunity to prove that you are a safe driver, even with a speeding ticket on your record, and may amount to insurance savings.
• Multi-car policies: Having multiple cars on one policy can lower your total costs by 10 to 25 percent, which could help offset the rate hike from your speeding ticket.
• Deductibles: This is less of a discount and more of a strategy. But raising your deductible will ultimately lower your premium. However, you will have to pay more out of pocket if you have to file a claim, so proceed with caution.
• Minimum coverage: Opting for the legal minimum amount of coverage will save you money. But again, it may not provide enough financial protection in the event you need to file a claim.

Frequently asked questions

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    What is the best car insurance company for drivers with speeding tickets?

    If you have a speeding ticket on your record, you can still find the best insurance company for your driving needs. Comparing multiple providers is a smart way to find the best rates, plus the coverage options you need. You can also explore discounts and reviews for more in-depth information on individual companies.
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    Do I have to tell my insurance company about a speeding ticket?

    You are technically not required to tell your insurance company about a speeding ticket. However, they will likely find out about it when they look over your driving record at the time of your policy renewal. And if you decide to switch providers, you must report all accidents and traffic violations before receiving a quote (and they’ll check your driving record, as well).
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    What is the cheapest car insurance company?

    No one provider offers the cheapest car insurance to every driver. Each insurer has a proprietary method for calculating rates and weighing the factors that play into your quote. But, keeping speeding tickets off your record is undoubtedly one of the best ways to qualify for more affordable rates.

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  Methodology

  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.