For most adults, driving is just another part of everyday life. Whether you’re on your daily commute or going on a weekend road trip, driving is probably the easiest and most convenient way for you to get around. Unfortunately, many people drive over the speed limit to get from point A to point B. Maybe you were running late to a dentist appointment or your teen’s football game, but now, like many other drivers, you must deal with a speeding ticket.
Key Takeaways:
A speeding ticket could increase your rate by up to 20% or more, depending on where you live and the severity of the violation.
Insurance providers consider multiple factors when determining your rate, so some may penalize a speeding ticket more than others.
A speeding ticket can remain on your driving record for 3 to 5 years.
Switching car insurance providers, utilizing insurance discounts, and taking a traffic course could reduce the harmful effects of a speeding ticket.
How Does a Speeding Ticket Affect My Car Insurance?
Your driving record is one of the main factors auto insurance companies consider when calculating your rate. That’s why multiple speeding tickets can affect your insurance significantly. Typically, you will see the effect of a speeding ticket once your policy is up for renewal. This is when insurance companies can review your driving record and discover any traffic violations. On average, drivers could see a 20% increase in their car insurance premiums after receiving a speeding ticket. However, it can vary heavily depending on the state and insurer.
Keep in mind that speeding tickets can affect different drivers in different ways, if at all. It’s possible that some insurance companies may not increase your rate if it is your first traffic violation or for other factors involved. Although coverage types are generally the same regardless of provider, premiums vary significantly from company to company.
Suppose a single ticket leads to a rate increase. In that case, you can expect another moving violation to increase your premium even more with the same insurer. In general, the more severely your state classifies marks on your driving record, the likelier that your insurance company will increase your rates due to a speeding ticket.
How Long Will a Speeding Ticket Stay on My Driving Record?
Once you sign and receive your copy of the speeding ticket, it will remain on your record for 3 to 5 years, depending on where you live. In California, for example, speeding tickets stay on your driving record for 3 years on average. In other states, like Massachusetts, speeding tickets remain on a driver’s record for 5 years on average.
The first consequence of receiving a speeding ticket is paying a fine. The fine will vary depending on how many miles per hour you were driving over the speed limit and in what state you were driving. In California, a speeding violation could cost you up to $500 or more, plus any court costs and assessments. That does not include any potential rate increases you may face.
If you accumulate several speeding tickets or other traffic citations in a short period, you could face more consequences than a fine. Not only will you have higher auto insurance rates, but your current provider may even decide not to renew your policy. Too many traffic violations could also cause your license to be suspended.
How Many Speeding Tickets Are Issued Each Year?
Speeding tickets are one of the most common traffic violations throughout the country. Although we all understand that driving the speed limit is legally required, it’s normal for the flow of traffic to sometimes be over the limit—but that doesn’t make it okay. It’s estimated that about 41 million speeding tickets are issued each year in the United States.
According to 2022 data, these ten states had the highest percentage of drivers cited for speeding:
1) Ohio – 14.95%
2) Iowa – 14.87%
3) North Dakota – 14.41%
4) Wisconsin – 13.43%
5) South Carolina – 13.35%
6) Virginia – 12.65%
7) Alaska – 12.40%
8) Washington – 12.17%
9) Colorado – 12.03%
10) Wyoming: 12.01%
Can You Remove a Speeding Ticket from Your Driving Record?
Once you sign a speeding ticket, you won’t be able to remove it from your record in most cases. However, you can limit how it affects you. Sometimes, you’re simply not paying close enough attention to the speed limit of the road you’re on. Or maybe you’re on a street when the speed limit drops unexpectedly after a particular intersection. Whatever the case, you can do a few things to remove the harmful effects of a speeding ticket from your record.
Contest the ticket in court: If you decide to fight it and don’t have evidence proving you weren’t speeding, it will likely be your word against the officer involved. However, if you can convince the court, the speeding violation will not appear on your driving record.
Take a traffic school course: Some states may allow you to reduce the effects of a speeding ticket by taking a traffic course. Although you may still need to pay some fines related to the violation, the course will prevent it from having lasting effects.
Slow down: Slowing down won’t remove the negatives of a speeding ticket. Still, it will keep you from further hurting your driving record.
How to Lower Your Car Insurance Rate After a Speeding Ticket
If you recently incurred a speeding ticket and are facing a car insurance rate increase, don’t worry too much. Although no one wants to pay more for car insurance than they have to, there are ways to find favorable rates even after a traffic violation. Remember, auto insurance companies weigh various factors differently, meaning one insurer may penalize speeding tickets more than others. Consider doing the following to reduce your premium after a ticket:
Switch insurers: If you only have one moving violation on your record, one company may increase your rate while another may not. Switching insurers after receiving a ticket can lower your premium.
Compare rates: If you plan to switch carriers, you must compare rates. Since providers can weigh factors differently, shopping around will help you get a better sense of what your options are. Instead of going with the first quote you find, compare multiple to get the best deal.
Take a safe driving course: Some insurers provide discounted rates for drivers who complete a defensive driving or accident prevention class.
Look for additional discounts: Insurers typically offer various auto insurance discounts you may be eligible for by simply being you. Contact your agent to see if you qualify for common discounts, such as a good student or multi-policy discount.
Speak With an Insurance Specialist Today
At AIS, we have over 55 years of experience helping our customers find and compare quotes from our network of insurance providers. Our specialists will guide you along your search, help you understand the coverage you need, and find potential savings along the way. If you’re facing a rate increase due to a speeding ticket or for any other reason, call (888) 772-4247 to speak with an insurance specialist today or start a quote online.
The information in this article is obtained from various sources and offered for educational purposes only. Furthermore, it should not replace the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms, and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.
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Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular on our roadways as more drivers make the switch from gas-powered alternatives. Some states, such as California, have gone as far as putting forth legislation that seeks to limit the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Much like an engine in a gas car, electric car batteries power an EV and propel it forward. But before you decide to purchase an EV, you may ask yourself, how long do electric car batteries last?
In the blog:
The Basics of Electric Vehicle Batteries
As their name suggests, electric vehicles use electricity to accelerate. Unlike their gas-powered counterparts, no large engines or exhaust systems exist within an EV. Instead, EVs rely on large battery packs to store energy. Although EVs can use different types of batteries, such as lead-acid or nickel-cadmium batteries, most fully electric vehicles use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. These types of batteries are preferred as they are more energy-dense than others.
An EV’s battery capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours or kWh. Simply put, the more kWh your battery has, the longer you can drive on a single charge. Although not entirely the same, you can think of an EV’s battery capacity rating as a traditional car’s gas tank size. To “refuel” or recharge an electric vehicle, you must plug the car into an electrical power source. However, despite being rechargeable, EV batteries won’t last forever.
How Long Do Electric Car Batteries Last?
EV batteries don’t last forever and begin to lose charging capacity over time. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, today’s EV batteries can last 12 to 15 years in moderate climates or 8 to 12 years in extreme climates. However, most EV manufacturers provide (required) warranties for their batteries, which takes the guesswork out of determining how long your battery should last.
Most manufacturers’ warranties align with federal law that mandates carmakers to provide EV battery warranty coverage for at least 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, some manufacturers, such as Hyundai, go above the requirement and have warranties that last 10 years or 100,000 miles.
EV battery warranties cover the complete failure of a battery pack and protect against severe degradation over time. During each charge cycle, EV batteries lose a percentage of their total charging capacity. These small percentages can negatively impact the overall driving range as time passes. To keep in line with most warranties, EV batteries must maintain around 70 percent of their charge capacity during the warranty’s term.
How to Maximize Your Electric Car’s Battery Life
Although electric car batteries won’t last forever, there are ways EV owners can ensure they get the most out of their car’s battery. Here are just a few tips to help prevent an early replacement.
1. Keep Your Car’s Systems Regularly Updated
To prevent early breakdowns, EVs have internal computer systems that help regulate the temperature and performance of battery packs. Since EVs are more like computers than standard gas engines, you must always ensure your EV has the latest updates installed. Plus, it may be a condition of your manufacturer’s warranty. Some EV warranties may deny replacement coverage if your car hasn’t installed the latest updates.
2. Charge at Home Whenever Possible
There are three different ways you can charge an EV:
Level 1 Charging – These stations plug directly into your home’s standard outlets and do not require professional installation. Level 1 charging provides around 5 miles per hour of charge.
Level 2 Charging – Require a 240-volt outlet on a dedicated circuit that may need to be professionally installed. Level 2 charging provides around 25 miles per hour of charge.
DC Fast Charging – The fastest charging rate available, which provides 250 miles per charging hour. DC fast chargers cannot be installed at home due to requiring a 480-volt connection to DC power.
To maximize your EV battery’s life, it is recommended to use level 1 or level 2 charging stations whenever possible. Although DC fast charging is great for extended trips, excessive use can cause your battery to overheat and lose its charging capacity.
3. Don’t Fully Charge or Fully Drain
Most EV manufacturers recommend drivers charge their battery packs to 80% to 90% capacity for daily use. Routinely charging to 100% or letting your battery completely discharge can negatively impact its health. However, you don’t need to stress over this too much because EVs have battery management systems that can prevent overcharging. Still, always refer to your owner’s manual to learn what charging levels your manufacturer recommends.
Does Insurance Cover an EV Battery?
Are Electric Vehicles More Expensive to Insure?
Insuring an electric vehicle is the same process as insuring a gas vehicle. However, you can expect to see a difference in cost. Although entry-level EVs have declined in price since their inception, they can still be more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts due to their extensive electrical systems and parts. Plus, you’ll need to visit a specialized technician to repair an EV following an accident, meaning higher labor costs. These factors could lead to an increased payout for insurance companies following a claim, which makes insuring an EV more expensive.
Find Coverage That Works for You
Are you considering trading in your car for an EV? If so, it’s important to speak with an insurance specialist to understand how your insurance rate may change. Although your insurance may increase, there are other benefits of owning an EV that could outweigh the change.
No matter where you are in the EV market, our team of insurance specialists can assist you with comparing auto insurance quotes from multiple providers. At AIS, we have over 55 years of experience helping our customers successfully navigate the insurance marketplace. To learn more about how AIS can help, give us a call at (888) 772-4247 or start a free quote online.
The information in this article is obtained from various sources and is offered for educational purposes. Furthermore, it should not replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.
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