How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Washington
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A comprehensive study of speeding-related deaths between 2013 to 2017 found that Washington state has some of the lowest numbers in the U.S. per 100,000 drivers. While this is good news for Washington drivers, even a minor speeding ticket may have implications for you and your wallet. In addition to upfront costs associated with a ticket, you may also pay more for auto insurance.
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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 Washington?
The cost of a speeding ticket in Washington depends on the speed limit in the area and how fast you were driving. If the posted limit is 40 miles per hour (mph) or below, a speeding ticket will cost $48 to $188. If the speed limit is higher than 40 mph, the fines range from $33 to $188. You can also receive a speeding ticket in Washington for driving “too fast for conditions.” In this case, you may be fined $48 for driving too quickly in unsafe conditions, even if you were still driving below the speed limit.
How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Washington?
In addition to fines, a speeding ticket in Washington may cause an increase in auto insurance premiums. The insurance surcharge amount may depend on your carrier, the severity of your infraction and your other personal rating factors, like age and driving history. Nationally, the average premium increase for full coverage car insurance is 21 percent after a speeding ticket conviction, which is 1 percent higher than Washington’s average increase.
| Age | Average annual full coverage premium before speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | Percentage increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-year-old male | $1,424 | $1,710 | 20% |
| 40-year-old female | $1,396 | $1,675 | 20% |
| Total average | $1,410 | $1,692 | 20% |
*Premiums are average annual coverage premiums for 40-year-olds
How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in Washington
You’ll likely see a car insurance premium surcharge at renewal following a speeding ticket, but there are several strategies available to potentially help offset the costs. Even with a speeding ticket on your record, you can likely still find affordable car insurance and stay within budget.
Get quotes from other car insurance companies
One of the most effective methods for lowering car insurance rates is likely to shop around and compare rates from multiple Washington auto insurers. The average rates below highlight how different companies may weigh a speeding ticket conviction when determining rates in Washington. Comparing quotes from several insurers may show you which could offer you the lowest rates for your circumstances.
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium before speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,729 | $2,133 | 23% |
| American Family | $1,705 | $2,518 | 48% |
| Farmers | $1,241 | $1,630 | 31% |
| Progressive | $1,048 | $1,403 | 34% |
| State Farm | $1,271 | $1,476 | 16% |
*Premiums are average annual full coverage premiums for 40-year-olds
Lower premium costs may be your top priority when choosing a new carrier, but other aspects may be worth considering. Researching financial strength ratings, customer service scores, coverage options and digital tools may provide another perspective on a company’s performance.
Look for discounts
Whether you switch to a new carrier or choose to stay with your current one, reviewing all available discounts may be another way to save. Most insurers offer a range of saving options, some of which you may not have qualified for when you first signed up for your policy. Discounts such as bundling with another policy, going paperless or setting up a new policy before your renewal date may be fairly simple ways to save.
You could also practice safe driving habits and potentially get rewarded for them by taking part in your insurance carrier’s telematics program if it offers one. These programs track your driving behaviors and may reward you for good habits. Participating in the program may incentivize you to drive more responsibly, which might prevent future speeding tickets. Note that some carriers will increase your rates for poor driving behavior, so you may want to carefully read the terms of your carrier’s program before enrolling.
Avoid future moving violations
A speeding ticket may negatively impact your rates, but it likely won’t impact them forever. Most speeding tickets only impact your rates for three to five years, depending on the carrier. Avoiding future tickets and accidents may help bring your rates back down over time. You might also be eligible for discounts, like a safe driving discount.
Frequently asked questions
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Many insurers will offer coverage to drivers with a speeding ticket, but comparing several options may be a great way to find the best car insurance company after a moving violation. Some may offer lower rates for drivers with a speeding conviction than others. If you have multiple speeding tickets on your record and are having trouble finding auto coverage, you may need to consider a company that specializes in high-risk auto insurance.
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No, Washington does not use a driver’s license point system. However, you may have your license suspended if you get multiple moving violations. For example, if you have six violations in a year or seven in two years, you may receive a 60-day suspension. After the suspension is lifted, you will likely be on probation for a year. If you get another ticket during your probation period, you will get an automatic 30-day suspension.
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Washington may suspend your driver’s license if you get six speeding tickets in a 12-month period or seven in a 24-month period. Once the suspension period is over, you have to complete a one-year probation period. Your license will be suspended for 30 days if you get another speeding ticket during your probation period.
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The average cost of car insurance in Washington is $1,410 per year for a full coverage policy. A minimum coverage policy averages $515 per year. This is less than the national averages of $2,014 and $622, respectively. Car insurance may be cheaper, on average, in Washington due to a lower rate of uninsured drivers and fewer accidents than in many other states.
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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. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.
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