How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Washington, D.C.

Although drivers with a clean record in Washington, D.C. pay less for car insurance than the national average, drivers with speeding tickets see their rates go up. Your exact premium will vary, but looking at averages can help you get an idea of what to expect. A D.C. driver with a clean record pays an average of $2,488 per year for full coverage, but that climbs to $2,823 per year after a speeding ticket. Bankrate can help you get a sense for how your insurance premium might change after getting a speeding ticket in Washington, D.C.

How much is a speeding ticket in Washington, D.C.?

The cost of Washington, D.C. speeding ticket fines is based on how many miles per hour (mph) you were going over the limit and where you were driving:

• 10 mph or less over the limit: $50
• 11 to 15 mph over the limit: $100
• 16 to 20 mph over the limit: $150
• 21 to 25 mph over the limit: $200
• Over 25 mph over the limit on controlled access roadways: $400
• Over 25 mph over the limit on non-controlled access roadways: $500
• Unreasonable speed in a school zone: $100
• Unreasonable speed near a playground, recreational facility, pool, athletic field or senior center: $100

How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record in Washington, D.C.?

A speeding ticket stays on your driving record in Washington, D.C. permanently. Luckily, insurance carriers typically only factor a speeding conviction into your rate for around three years. That means you could see your premium decrease with time as long as you do not receive additional infractions and avoid filing claims.

How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Washington, D.C.?

Getting a speeding ticket in Washington, D.C. will likely increase your rates but how much will depend on several factors. The average premium increase for D.C. speeding tickets is 13 percent. Note that this uptick in insurance costs does not account for the fines outlined above.

The table below shows average rate increases by gender. Broadly speaking, males face higher average rates than females as they are statistically shown to exhibit riskier driving behaviors and file more claims. Similarly, young drivers — especially teens — are considered much riskier to insure than older, more experienced drivers.

*All premiums are average annual full coverage premiums.

How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in Washington, D.C.

Although getting a speeding ticket in Washington, D.C. will likely lead to higher premiums, there are still ways to potentially lower your rate. Several approaches may help, from shopping around with other carriers to asking about discounts to adjusting your coverage.

Get quotes from other car insurance companies

An expert-recommended method for finding lower rates is to request free quotes from several car insurance companies. Suppose you have several speeding tickets or other infractions on your record in the last few years. In that case, it may be wise to approach insurers that specialize in coverage for high-risk drivers, as well. Either way, be sure to specify the same coverage types and limits with each company so you can compare rates apples to apples.

The chart below highlights some of the cheaper average rates from carriers in Washington, D.C. after a speeding ticket (as of April 2024).

*All premiums are average annual full coverage premiums.

Premiums are one of the most important aspects of coverage, but there are other features to review, too. Checking out a carrier’s financial strength ratings, customer service marks and digital tools will give you greater insight into choosing the right company.

Modify your coverage

Another tactic to reduce your premiums is to modify your coverage choices. While almost all states require at least minimum liability coverage, you may be able to drop or reduce other coverage types that no longer serve you like rideshare coverage or gap insurance. It can be helpful to speak with a licensed insurance agent, who can walk you through your options.

You could also potentially raise your deductibles if you carry comprehensive and collision coverage. But before doing so, you’ll want to make sure you can easily afford higher out-of-pocket costs in the event of a claim.

Ask about discounts

When shopping around with new carriers or reviewing options with your current provider, be sure to ask about car insurance discounts you might qualify for. Many insurers offer several. The list below includes some of the more commonly available discounts, but discounts vary widely between insurers:

• Bundling car and home policies: Many insurers will offer a discount to policyholders who purchase both a car and a home or renters insurance policy.
• Defensive driving courses: It’s relatively common for insurers to offer discounts to policyholders who have completed a defensive driving course in the last few years.
• Telematics programs: Some insurers offer telematics programs or usage-based insurance, which monitors your driving habits. If you drive safely or rarely, you might benefit from lower rates.
• Multi-car policies: Insuring more than one vehicle with the same provider might earn you a discount.
• Vehicle-based discounts: Your insurance provider might reward you with a discount if your car is equipped with daytime running lights, anti-theft software, anti-lock brakes and more.
• Billing discounts: Some providers give discounts if you pay your premium in full, sign up for automatic payments or agree to receive electronic billing statements.

In addition to these common car insurance discounts, some providers offer unique ways to save. For example, an insurer might give discounts to homeowners or married couples. You might even get a discount if you switch insurance providers and become a new policyholder with the company.

Frequently asked questions

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

    Finding the best car insurance company can be tricky, with or without a speeding ticket. Auto insurance is highly personalized, so the best company for one person might not be the best for someone else. Experts recommend getting quotes from several companies, reading reviews and asking about discount opportunities. When comparing rates, note that it’s vital to specify the same coverage types and limits or the comparisons will be less valid. If you have more than one speeding ticket on your record in the last few years, you may want to look into insurers specializing in coverage for high-risk drivers.
    

  • Do I have to tell my insurance company about a speeding ticket?

    No law requires you to inform your auto insurance company when you receive a speeding ticket; however, they will likely find out. When your policy is up for renewal, your insurer will often check your driving record again, and your rate will typically increase if you’ve been convicted of speeding. The same goes for applying for coverage with a new insurer. Your driving record will be factored into your new quote.

  • How long does a speeding ticket affect my insurance in Washington, D.C.?

    You will likely see elevated insurance premiums for about three years following your speeding ticket although the infraction will permanently remain on your driving record. Keep in mind that if you get additional speeding tickets, you’ll continue to pay higher premiums for longer or might even be deemed a high-risk driver.
    
    
    You might want to regularly shop for car insurance in order to find the best rates, especially if it’s been several years since you got the speeding ticket and it’s fallen off of your record.

  • What is the cheapest car insurance company?

    There’s no single cheapest car insurance company since car insurance is highly personalized. Each insurance provider looks at unique factors like your location, age, vehicle make and model, driving history and more to determine your exact insurance premium. To help you find the cheapest rates for you, request quotes from several providers and find out which discounts you are eligible for. When pulling quotes, don’t forget to use the same coverage types and amounts so you can do an even comparison.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze April 2024 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 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.

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile (40 years) applied. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.