How a Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance in California

You can expect the cost of car insurance in California to increase by about 37 percent with a speeding ticket on your record.

While any moving violation, including a minor traffic ticket, raises premiums, the annual cost of car insurance across all providers will significantly increase with a speeding ticket violation, as you’ll be a higher-risk driver in the eyes of insurance companies.

Clean Record vs. Speeding ticket: Annual Car Insurance Costs

Despite the high cost of living, car insurance in California isn’t that expensive compared to the national average. In 2020, the last time the National Association of Insurance Commissioners released data, the average annual cost of car insurance in California was $1,050, only $3 more than the national average. Of course, rates will increase for drivers with a bad record.

Compare quotes from multiple companies to see how your ZIP code and insurance coverage changes your premium. For example, a ZIP code in Los Angeles will raise your insurance rates, as cities have a higher rate of accidents and claims compared to rural areas.

Here’s how to find cheap car insurance in California after a speeding ticket.

1. Join the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan. Having a speeding ticket on your record makes you a high-risk driver, which means that many insurance companies won’t want you as a customer. If you have tried to find a company that will cover you and have not been successful, you can join the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan as a last resort.¹
2. Attend traffic school. You can attend traffic school, and the state will remove a one-point violation from your record. You’ll get a notice from the court if you’re eligible to attend, and you can do this only once per 18-month period. See a list of the state-approved traffic schools in your area.
3. Get minimum coverage. The minimum car insurance in California is only liability coverage:
   • Bodily injury coverage: $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident
   • Property damage coverage: $5,000²

   By buying liability coverage with a combined limit of $50,000, you’ll get the lowest premium.

4. Bundle policies. California has the third-lowest rate of homeownership in the U.S., after Washington, D.C., and New York. Only 55 percent of California residents own their homes.³ If you’re in that fortunate group, bundle your home and auto insurance to save money. Some companies offer bundles with renters’ insurance for the other 45 percent or other types of policies.
5. Drop coverages. While you may not want liability coverage only, as it covers the other party’s property damages and bodily injuries solely, some coverages are nonessential, like custom equipment coverage or rental car coverage. You could also drop comprehensive and collision coverage if you have an older car worth less than your deductible.
6. Increase your deductibles. Raise your deductibles on collision and comprehensive coverage to lower rates.
7. Get discounts. If nothing else, ask your agent for ways you can save directly. Every company has discounts, and you may not know which ones you are already eligible for until you ask. While you may not be eligible for a good driver discount, you may qualify for other discounts.

California sets maximum fines and lengths of license suspensions for driving 100 miles per hour (mph) or faster on highways.⁴

You may also get points on your record, which will remain there for 36 months or longer. While the speeding ticket is on your record, expect to pay a higher car insurance premium.

You have two options: Pay for the ticket or contest it. But whatever you do, don’t ignore it, as it could lead to harsher penalties.

Pay the Ticket

It’s easiest to pay the ticket online, whether you plead guilty or no contest. While either plea will result in a conviction that will go on your record, with a no contest plea, if someone sues you for speeding, they will have to prove that you were speeding. A guilty plea serves as proof in and of itself.

Contest the Ticket

Your other option is to ask for a trial before the due date on your court notice. In this trial, you’ll be able to bring in witnesses and present evidence to support your claim. The judge will set a fine if they find you guilty.

The trial can occur in one of two ways:

• Written declaration: With a written declaration, you won’t have to come into court physically. Instead, you can explain what occurred in a written statement and request a trial by written declaration.
• Court trial: You can also request a court trial, which can occur either in person or remotely over the phone or video. In a court trial, a lawyer can represent you.

Speeding isn’t the only violation to keep in mind while driving on California roads. Avoid other non-moving and moving violations, such as:

• Driving while using a handheld cell phone (learn more about fines for texting and driving in California)
• Not yielding to pedestrians, bicyclists, or other vehicles who have the right of way
• Not following traffic signals or signs properly
• Improper passing
• Driving under the influence, which will result in you having to carry a California SR-22 form
• Not pulling over for emergency or road work vehicles
• Evading law enforcement
• Reckless driving
• Driving without a license or registration
• Driving without insurance in California

Thirty-three percent of speeding drivers involved in fatal crashes in California in 2021 were traveling more than 65 mph, the maximum limit on most highways in the state. The next time you’re driving on any of California’s roads, whether it’s the 101 or the 405, make sure that you’re adhering to the posted speed limits.