In 2022, speeding contributed to 811 car crashes in Washington state that resulted in serious injury or death. Even when speeding is not deadly, it can still wreak havoc on your budget. Not only do you have to pay the costs associated with the ticket to the Washington District Court, but your auto insurance costs will also likely be impacted. Bankrate breaks down what drivers in The Evergreen State should know about auto insurance and speeding tickets, including some tips on how to lower costs.

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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 state 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 $2,517 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

    • 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.
    • 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.
    • It usually takes six speeding tickets in a 12-month period or seven in a 24-month period before suspension in Washington. 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.
    • 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.
    • You do not necessarily need to tell your insurer right away, but they will find out. When your policy comes up for renewal, an insurer will typically pull your driving record to check for any infractions. Insurance companies use this information, along with any policy changes you have made like adding more coverage or another driver, to set your new rate.
    • The cheapest car insurance company for you will depend on multiple factors, one of which is your driving record. According to Bankrate’s analysis of rate data from Quadrant Information Services, Oregon Mutual, USAA, PEMCO Travelers and Geico offer competitive rates to drivers with a speeding ticket on their records. Shopping around and comparing quotes can help you secure an affordable policy for your budget.

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.