How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in South Carolina

How much you pay for car insurance is all about risk. Insurers look at your driving record and other details to estimate the chances of you getting into an accident. Given that one of the leading causes of vehicle collisions in South Carolina is speeding, having a speeding ticket on your record can lead to ballooning insurance rates. According to Bankrate’s analysis, one speeding ticket in South Carolina could cause your rates to spike by an average of 18 percent.

How much is a speeding ticket in South Carolina?

As with most states, how much a speeding ticket in South Carolina costs will depend on how fast you were driving.

For infractions where you exceeded the speed limit by 10 mph or less, you’ll face a maximum fine of $76.88 and 2 points on your license. 2 points is enough to affect your insurance in South Carolina, causing premiums to rise. Speeding by 11–21 mph carries a fine up to $180.50 and 4 points on your license, while speeding by 25 mph or more carries a top fine of $355 and a 6 point insurance increase. These costs include both the cost of the ticket and court fees.

Reckless driving, which you may be charged with for excessive speeding, can carry up to 30 days in jail, so speeding can be expensive and land you a jail sentence in the worst cases.

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

If you get a speeding ticket in South Carolina, you’ll have to pay the fine. On top of that, you’ll see points added to your license, which will cause your insurance premiums to increase. The increase will depend on the number of points added to your license, with more points meaning a bigger spike in your premiums.

The table below highlights how much your insurance will go up after a speeding ticket in South Carolina for males and females using quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services.

How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in South Carolina

Getting a speeding ticket almost always causes your insurance premiums to increase. However, just because you’ve gotten a ticket doesn’t mean that you’re stuck paying an unaffordably high premium. There are still options for people who want to reduce their car insurance cost, even with a ticket on their record. Speeding tickets stay on your record for five years in South Carolina.

Get quotes from other car insurance companies

One of the most important things to do for anyone looking to save on insurance is to compare quotes from several providers. This will give you the opportunity to see what rates each company offers and to choose the best deal.

It’s especially important to shop around after getting a ticket. Many insurers rely on the fact that changing insurance is difficult and annoying, increasing premiums slightly at each renewal. Getting a ticket will only cause the premiums to rise further. Shopping around can help mitigate the increase amount.

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

While looking for cheap insurance, remember to keep things other than just price in mind. Don’t forget to look at customer service reviews and ratings and financial strength ratings from credit agencies to make sure the company you choose is reliable in the event of a claim. Our list of the best car insurance companies is a great place to start your research.

Look for discounts

When you’re shopping for auto insurance, you’ll likely see that many insurers offer discounts. These discounts can be a big help if you want to reduce your insurance costs, so choosing an insurer that has discounts you can qualify for can help you keep the cost of a policy low.

Some common discounts to look for include:

• Multi-policy: You can usually qualify for this discount if you get auto insurance and another type of coverage, such as home insurance, from the same company.
• Driving safety class: You can land a discount if you take an approved defensive driving course or other driving safety class with many insurers.
• Low-mileage: If you don’t drive often and come in under the national average annual miles traveled, you can often get a cheaper rate.
• Safety features: If your car has specific safety features, like anti-lock brakes or driver assistance systems, you might land a discount.

Frequently asked questions

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

    There is no single best car insurance company for drivers that have a speeding ticket on their record. The best thing that you can do to find the right insurer is shop around and compare multiple quotes. That will let you find which insurer offers the most competitive coverage based on your age, driving history, and other factors.
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    How much does a speeding ticket cost in South Carolina?

    The cost of a speeding ticket will depend on how fast you were driving compared to the speed limit. Fines, including the court costs, can range from $76.88 to as much as $355. These costs don’t include the higher insurance premiums you’ll face.
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    What is the cheapest car insurance company?

    There is no one car insurance company that offers the cheapest coverage for every driver. The price that you pay varies based on many factors, including your age, gender, driving history, credit score, where you live and more. To find the cheapest car insurance for your needs, you’ll need to shop around and compare quotes.

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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.