How to Lower Your Car Insurance Rates After a Ticket
Lower your insurance rates after a ticket by asking about discounts or enrolling in a defensive driving course. Find out more ways here!
Written by Andrea Barrett
Reviewed by Amy Bobinger
Table of Contents
Whether you’ve been nailed with a distracted driving ticket or speeding, a “dirty” record can increase your car insurance rates. But lowering your rates can be as simple as asking about discounts, enrolling in a defensive driving course, or shopping around with different providers!
Maybe you picked up your phone to change your music only to see a cop beside you. Or perhaps you were rushing to get to your Monday morning meeting and landed yourself a speeding ticket. In either situation, the consequences of having a traffic violation on your record can be devastating for your
car insurance
rates. Contrary to what most people believe, there are ways to lower your auto insurance premium with a ticket on your record—wondering how to do it? You’re in luck! We’ll show you easy ways to find
cheap car insurance rates
after a ticket. How to lower your car insurance rates after a ticket
Take a defensive driving course
If you’ve seen a premium rate increase after a ticket, enrolling in a defensive driving course not only helps you sharpen your driving skills and become a safer driver, but it could reduce your car insurance premium. Most insurance providers reward good drivers and safe driving habits, whether it’s based on your driving history and how long you’ve gone with a
clean driving record
or if you’re actively seeking further education through a defensive driving course. As with car insurance, shop around and find the best defensive driving course for you. And keep in mind that the cheapest option may not always be the best. Also, remember that the requirements for defensive driving courses vary by state and insurance provider, so talk to your broker before enrolling to ensure the course meets the requirements.
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Ask about car insurance discounts
Discounts are one of the simplest ways to save money on insurance costs—and insurers like to reward safe drivers! Even if you have a ticket on your record, discounts for taking a defensive driving course, bundling your home and auto insurance, or having a good credit score may help reduce your monthly payments.
For example, some insurers offer a discount of up to 25% by switching to paperless billing, paying online, or signing up for automated payments.
When shopping around for a new policy or renewing your existing one, ask about available discounts to ensure you get the best policy rate. Some of the most popular discounts to save on auto insurance rates include:
- Paying in full or enrolling in automatic payments
- Multi-policy (home, auto, tenant, RV)
- Multi-car
- Anti-theft devices
- Hybrid or electric vehicle
- Good students or distant students
- Safe driver
- Low-mileage
- Safe driver discount
MORE: How to get car insurance discounts
Increase your deductible
A higher deductible generally means lower monthly payments. In simple terms, your deductible amount is inversely proportional to the premium, so increasing your deductible will offer a lower premium and vice versa. However, how much it will reduce your premium depends on the insurance provider. In most cases, you can expect to save around 5% to 10% on your premiums, but the more you increase it, the more you save. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 on a collision and comprehensive premium could save you up to 30%.
That said, increasing your premium also means you’re liable for a bigger payment if you submit an insurance claim. Before you raise your deductible, be sure you can afford to shell out more money if you’re involved in an accident.
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A full coverage policy is a great way to protect you and your vehicle from unexpected costs, but it also means higher monthly payments. Dropping coverage you might not need is an easy way to reduce your premium and save. For example, if you drive an older car with a low value, you may consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage.
When you renew your policy (or when you’re shopping around for a new one), review your policy “extras.” You may no longer need emergency roadside assistance coverage since many credit card companies now offer free or low-cost options.
Driving situations change, so ensure you have adequate coverage where you need it and eliminate what you don’t.
MORE: Different types of car insurance: Which one suits you best?
Shop around with different insurance providers
Insurance policy prices vary between providers and your current insurer may not offer you the best rate, so it can pay to shop around. Whether you’re looking for a new policy or a cheaper one, compare car insurance quotes from several different auto insurance companies and find the best rate.
But don’t shop by price alone. Friends and family also have great recommendations!
MORE: Why you should shop for car insurance every six months
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How long does a speeding ticket impact your insurance premiums?
In most states, you’ll receive a certain amount of points against your record for certain violations, and these points influence your premium. In some states, these points remain on your driving record for up to 10 years, although in most states, they’ll fall off after 3 to 5 years. Also, some car insurance companies may forgive a first-time offense for speeding, while others won’t. The speed you were going over the posted speed limit can also impact whether your car insurance rates will increase.
What’s the fastest way to lower your car insurance costs?
Increasing your insurance deductible is the quickest way to lower your car insurance rates. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce a policy with
collision
and comprehensive coverage
anywhere from 15 to 30%. And bumping up to a $1,000 deductible could save you more than 40%. However, before speaking to your insurance agent to increase your deductible, ensure it’s financially viable for you to pay if you have to submit an insurance claim.
