How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in South Carolina
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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 excessive speed contributes to vehicle collisions, having a speeding ticket on your record can lead to ballooning insurance rates. According to Bankrate’s analysis, the average cost of car insurance in South Carolina for drivers with a clean record is $1,842. But one speeding ticket in SC could cause your rates to spike an average of 19 percent to around $2,198.
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 are driving and where you are.
For example, in Summerville, SC, 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. Two points are enough to affect your insurance in South Carolina, causing premiums to rise. Speeding by 11 to 15 mph can result in a fine of $128.75 and 4 points on your license. Speeding by 16 to 24 mph carries a fine of up to $180.50 and 4 points on your license, while speeding by 25 mph or more carries a top fine of $355 and 6 points. These costs include both the cost of the ticket and court fees in Summerville; exact costs will vary by location.
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. Even 2 points may affect your insurance in SC, and more points could mean a bigger spike in your premiums.
The table below highlights how much your insurance could go up after a speeding ticket in South Carolina for males and females, using quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services.
| Age | Average annual full coverage premium before speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | Percentage increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-year-old male | $1,863 | $2,226 | 19% |
| 40-year-old female | $1,820 | $2,171 | 19% |
| Total average | $1,842 | $2,199 | 19% |
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. Rates increase at renewal time for many drivers — even those with clean driving records. Getting a ticket will only cause premiums to rise further. Shopping around can help mitigate the increase you face.
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium before speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | Percentage increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,094 | $2,397 | 14% |
| Auto-Owners | $1,473 | $1,648 | 12% |
| Encompass | $1,522 | $1,623 | 7% |
| Geico | $1,978 | $2,199 | 11% |
| Nationwide | $1,504 | $1,760 | 17% |
*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 financial strength ratings 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:
- Bundle discount: You may be eligible for this discount when you purchase both auto insurance and another type of coverage, such as homeowners insurance, from the same insurer.
- Driving safety class: You could receive a discount by completing an approved defensive driving course or similar driving safety class with many insurance companies.
- Low-mileage: If you drive infrequently and log fewer miles than the national average for miles traveled, you may qualify for a reduced rate.
- Safety features: Installing certain safety features in your vehicle, such as anti-lock brakes or driver assistance systems, could make you eligible for a discount.
- Telematics programs: Telematics programs assess driving behavior through real-time data collected from devices installed in vehicles. Safe drivers may be rewarded with discounted premiums.
Frequently asked questions
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The best car insurance company for drivers with speeding tickets can vary based on individual circumstances; shopping around is essential as prices and offerings will differ among insurers. Prices vary due to factors like driving history, location and coverage options, with insurers employing unique risk assessment methods. Shopping around allows drivers to compare quotes, find discounts and secure a policy tailored to their needs, ultimately getting the best rates for the most suitable coverage.
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The cost of a speeding ticket will depend on how fast you are driving compared to the speed limit. Fines, including the court costs, can range from around $75 to over $350, according to the South Carolina Code of Laws. These costs don’t include the higher insurance premiums you’ll likely face.
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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 April 2024 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 single, 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 2022 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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