How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in West Virginia
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It’s safe to expect your insurance premium to increase after getting a speeding ticket in West Virginia, but the exact cost varies from person to person. Insurance companies take infractions into account when setting rates, but they also look at other factors. To give you a general idea of how much you might pay for insurance, Bankrate compiled averages from Quadrant Information Services. As of April 2024, West Virginia drivers with a clean driving record pay an average of $1,926 per year for full coverage while drivers with a speeding ticket pay an average of $2,236 per year for full coverage. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team took a look at what you might face if you get a speeding ticket in West Virginia.
How much is a speeding ticket in West Virginia?
WV speeding ticket costs can get pretty expensive — fines increase with each infraction. The fee schedule dictates that your first speeding ticket in the Mountain State will be no more than $100. However, a second conviction within one year can cost up to $200, and a third conviction within two years could cost up to $500. If you were going no more than 10 miles per hour above the posted speed limit on a controlled access highway or interstate highway, the court may charge you just $5 plus court costs.
Note that there are some special circumstances that could amount to increasingly expensive speeding ticket costs in West Virginia. How much a speeding ticket costs in WV also depends on how much over the speed limit you were driving. For instance, if you speed more than 15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit near a school while children are present, you could receive a ticket of up to $500 and face six months in jail. West Virginia also assigns points to your driving record for each violation. How long points stay on your license in WV depends on the conviction, but it is typically two years for speeding.
How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in West Virginia?
Your insurance will go up for a speeding ticket in West Virginia. However, given that some drivers have higher premiums to begin with, the increase may hit some people harder than others. For instance, men have higher premiums in West Virginia because male drivers get into more accidents. Younger drivers also have much higher annual premiums in West Virginia than drivers ages 25 and over.
On average in WV, your car insurance premiums will go up by 16 percent after a speeding ticket. Most insurance companies surcharge your premium for a speeding ticket for three to five years. We’ve illustrated some of the average increases in West Virginia car insurance premiums based on one speeding ticket below.
The chart below uses data from Quadrant Information Services to illustrate the average increase in premiums based on one speeding ticket.
| Age | Premium before speeding ticket in West Virginia | Premium after speeding ticket in West Virginia | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-year-old male | $1,943 | $2,259 | 16% |
| 40-year-old female | $1,910 | $2,213 | 16% |
| Total average | $1,926 | $2,236 | 16% |
*All premiums are average annual full coverage premiums.
How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in West Virginia
While your insurance company in West Virginia is almost certain to assign you a higher premium after a speeding ticket, you can often mitigate the increase. Taking the time to compare insurance companies and hunt down discounts could mean lower car insurance costs.
Get quotes from other car insurance companies
Note that the quote you receive from one company may not reflect the quotes you receive from other insurers. This is largely because each insurance company has a proprietary algorithm for calculating rates based on various factors individual to you. Even before a speeding ticket, you may be able to save hundreds per year by switching carriers. If your current insurer increases your premium after a ticket, it’s always worth getting car insurance quotes from at least three companies. Below, we’ve identified which companies have some of the cheapest average premiums (as of April 2024) for West Virginia drivers after a speeding ticket conviction.
| Car insurance company | Premium before speeding ticket in West Virginia | Premium after speeding ticket in West Virginia | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encompass | $1,334 | $1,508 | 13% |
| Erie | $1,703 | $1,777 | 4% |
| Geico | $1,691 | $1,906 | 13% |
| USAA | $1,641 | $1,928 | 17% |
| Nationwide | $1,600 | $1,941 | 21% |
*All premiums are average annual full coverage premiums.
Look for discounts
Most car insurance companies offer several discount opportunities that could bring down drivers’ premiums. You may qualify for one or more discounts to help you offset any increases caused by a ticket. Common car insurance discounts include:
- Defensive driving courses: A defensive driving course not only offers beneficial driving and safety tips but may also help you save on car insurance premiums. Make sure the course is approved by the insurer before you enroll.
- Bundling discounts: You may be able to save by having your home and car insurance with the same company.
- Multiple car discounts: Many insurers also offer discounts to customers who have policies on more than one car. If you and your spouse currently have different insurers, consider choosing the same provider.
- Telematics discounts: You may also get a discount by switching to a policy that charges based on your driving habits or annual mileage. These discounts could be ideal for someone who works from home or doesn’t drive a lot.
- Safety features discounts: If your car is equipped with safety features like daytime running, anti-lock brakes and anti-theft software, you might enjoy a discount on your premium.
- Good student discount: Some insurance providers offer a premium reduction for students who maintain a B average or higher.
- Billing discounts: Some insurers extend discounts for setting up automatic payments, paying the premium in full or agreeing to receive electronic communications.
While these are common discounts, this list isn’t exhaustive. Insurance providers might offer other ways to save money. For instance, some insurers offer a car insurance discount to homeowners or married policyholders.
Frequently asked questions
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The best car insurance company, even for drivers with speeding tickets, depends on what you’re looking for in an insurance provider. While many drivers with infractions might look for insurers writing affordable policies, other drivers might prioritize companies with national coverage, robust digital tools or a long list of discounts. Take some time to consider what you value most in an insurance provider before you begin requesting quotes.
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No, you don’t need to notify your insurance company about a speeding ticket. Your insurer will likely pull your driving record the next time they review your account for renewal and recalculate your premium based on any relevant changes.
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There is no single cheapest car insurance company for West Virginia drivers. That’s because car insurance is so personalized and each insurer factors rates differently. Insurance companies typically base your premium on factors like your age, gender, credit score, driving history, vehicle make and model, location and more. To find the cheapest car insurance for you, consider getting quotes from several insurance providers and find out what discounts you’re eligible for.
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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 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.
