How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Texas
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A speeding ticket might be one of the more minor convictions Texas drivers can receive, but it could still be a hit to your finances. In addition to fines and potentially missing work if you have to go to court, a speeding ticket in Texas could also increase your car insurance premiums for years to come. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team breaks down what you can expect if you received a speeding ticket in the Lone Star State.
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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 Texas?
Each county in the state of Texas assesses different fine amounts for speeding. Some, like Travis County, charge $10 per mile over the speed limit while others have minimums based on how many miles you go over the posted speed limit. Regardless of where you are driving in Texas, speeding in a school zone or construction zone with workers present double or triple the amount fined.
If you get a ticket for speeding in Texas, expect to pay at least $100 in fines. The faster you’re going, the more you’ll pay. If you choose to go to court to plead your case, you may be required to pay court fees, even if you’re found not guilty. Texas also has a point system with two points assessed per conviction or three if an accident is involved. If you accrue six or more points in a year, you will have to pay a $100 surcharge for three years, and $25 for each additional point.
How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Texas?
Not only does a speeding ticket conviction come with fines and potential points with surcharge fees, you may also see your car insurance premiums increase. While the average cost of car insurance in Texas for drivers with a clean driving record is $2,019 per year for full coverage, this increases to $2,187 per year after a speeding ticket.
Although males typically pay higher insurance premiums than females because males are statistically proven to be more risky behind the wheel, the average premium increase for full coverage after a speeding ticket conviction in Texas is around the same amount regardless of gender.
Drivers in Texas may see even higher percentage increases if they currently have a good driving discount included on their car insurance policy. The discount would be removed due to the speeding ticket conviction, resulting in an even higher premium after the speeding ticket surcharge is assessed.
| Average annual full coverage premium before speeding a ticket conviction | Average annual full coverage premium after a speeding ticket conviction | Premium increase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | $2,029 | $2,198 | $169 |
| Female | $2,009 | $2,176 | $167 |
| State average | $2,019 | $2,187 | $168 |
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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, a single speeding ticket 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
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.
How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in Texas
Though it can be frustrating to see higher car insurance premiums for Texas drivers as the result of a speeding ticket, there are several things to consider to lower the cost of car insurance. These cost-saving measures can be used to reduce the out-of-pocket cost often seen with a speeding ticket conviction.
Get quotes from other car insurance companies
Because each car insurance company uses a unique rating structure, Texas drivers may be able to offset auto insurance increases by shopping insurance companies and comparing quotes. Based on our study of average car insurance rates, Geico and State Farm offered the cheapest rates for drivers after a speeding ticket.
However, keep in mind that your actual rates may vary. Requesting quotes from multiple carriers will help determine which are the cheapest options for you. You may also want to consider other aspects beyond price, like a carrier’s financial strength, customer reviews, claims satisfaction, third-party ratings, coverage options and discount opportunities.
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium before a speeding ticket conviction | Average annual full coverage premium after a speeding ticket conviction | Premium increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,894 | $2,918 | $24 |
| Chubb | $2,482 | $2,688 | $206 |
| Dairyland | $2,802 | $3,339 | $537 |
| Geico | $1,494 | $1,657 | $163 |
| Houston General Ins Exchange | $1,555 | $1,926 | $371 |
| Mercury | $1,555 | $2,117 | $562 |
| National General | $2,088 | $2,640 | $552 |
| Nationwide | $1,733 | $1,838 | $105 |
| Southern County Mutual | $1,693 | $1,816 | $123 |
| State Farm | $1,373 | $1,518 | $145 |
| USAA | $1,747 | $1,977 | $230 |
*Premiums are average annual full coverage premiums for 40-year-olds
Take advantage of discounts
If you’d rather stick with your current car insurance company, review your current policy and ask if there are any discounts you aren’t currently applying that you qualify for. Additionally, if you are a homeowner or renter but don’t have your home insurance with the same company, consider bundling both together to help offset the increase from getting a traffic ticket in Texas.
Review coverage types
All drivers in Texas are required by law to keep minimum liability limits to drive legally. However, you may not need comprehensive and collision coverage if you own your car without a loan or lease. If the book value isn’t much and you can afford to buy another car if your current one is totaled, it could be cost-effective to reduce or eliminate certain coverages. Check with a licensed agent to determine what is best for your situation.
Other speeding ticket considerations
Texas drivers have the choice to pay the fine for a speeding ticket and accept the guilt or go to court to fight the ticket. If you choose to go to court, you may have to pay court fees on top of the fine assessed by the ticket if convicted. Fees vary by county court system.
The entire state of Texas assesses points the same:
- Two points assessed if convicted of a Texas driving violation or out-of-state ticket
- Three points if involved in a car accident and cited
If you have six or more points, you will be surcharged $100 for each year you maintain at least that many points. Each additional point includes a $25 surcharge. You may be able to have your speeding ticket dismissed if you complete a defensive driving course within 90 days of the ticket, which would be another way to keep car insurance costs low.
Frequently asked questions
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The best car insurance company for Texas drivers with speeding tickets will vary. Your driving history, make and model of the vehicle you drive, where you live in Texas and other factors combine to make up your car insurance rate. If you get a speeding ticket conviction in Texas, consider shopping with other auto insurance companies to compare quotes for the best rate.
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This depends on the rest of your driving history, what coverage types you have, any discounts you may lose and the severity of your speeding ticket conviction. Some may only lose a good driving discount if they previously qualified for ticket forgiveness coverage, while others may have a substantial increase if this isn’t the first citation. According to our analysis, expect at least an 8 percent increase in car insurance rates if you get convicted of a speeding ticket in Texas.
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Just like the state of Texas, insurance companies use a point system to determine car insurance rates. The system rates tickets as minor or major and assesses points, which usually differ from the state you receive the ticket. A 3-point ticket in the state of Texas may not require a surcharge but you could see higher car insurance rates under the criteria set by the insurance company.
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