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The cost of speeding in the Silver State, and what you can do about it
Speeding tickets can happen to anyone. Even cautious drivers get caught in speed traps from time to time. In addition to paying for the ticket, you can expect an increase in your auto insurance premium. That’s because insurance providers see speeding as a sign of risky driving. Let’s dive into how much you’ll pay in Nevada and ways to lower costs.
In terms of car insurance, here’s what to expect after a speeding ticket in Nevada.
On average, in Nevada your auto insurance costs will rise by about 17 percent after a speeding ticket. It’s worth looking into different providers, as the exact increase differs by company. In general, auto insurance in Nevada costs more than the national average, even for people without a ticket — making it even more worthwhile to shop around.1
Company | Average annual cost for full coverage without a speeding ticket | Average annual cost for full coverage with a speeding ticket | Increase |
---|---|---|---|
AAA | $3,460 | $4,379 | 27% |
Allstate | $2,482 | $3,227 | 30% |
American Family | $2,167 | $2,293 | 6% |
Farmers | $3,403 | $4,324 | 27% |
GEICO | $1,127 | $1,411 | 25% |
Hallmark Financial | $2,074 | $2,148 | 4% |
Mutual of Enumclaw | $2,828 | $3,214 | 14% |
Nationwide | $1,598 | $1,765 | 10% |
Progressive | $1,461 | $1,976 | 35% |
Sentry | $4,678 | $5,048 | 8% |
State Farm | $1,685 | $1,931 | 15% |
USAA | $1,564 | $1,726 | 10% |
A speeding conviction will add points to your license. The exact number of points depends on how fast you were going:2
Miles per hour (mph) over the posted limit | Points |
---|---|
1-10 | 1 |
11-20 | 2 |
21-30 | 3 |
31-40 | 4 |
41 or more | 5 |
Driving too fast for conditions (also known as a prima facie speed violation) | 2 |
The Nevada DMV removes the points from your license one year after your conviction. However, the conviction itself stays on your permanent record, so it may still affect your premium even after the points are gone. Most insurance companies look about three years back on your record when determining rates, so expect increased rates during that time.
If you accrue between 3 and 11 points, the Nevada DMV will deduct 3 points if you take an approved traffic safety course (assuming attending traffic school is not a requirement of a plea deal). If you accrue 12 points within a year, your license will be suspended for 6 months.
There are several ways you can lower your auto insurance costs after a speeding ticket:
In addition to an increased insurance premium and points on your record, a speeding ticket in Nevada will cost you in fines. The fine is $205 for your first offense and $230 for your second offense.3
There are two routes you can take if you get a speeding ticket in Nevada:
By pleading guilty, you acknowledge you committed the offense. When you plead no contest, you do not admit guilt but accept the fine and punishment associated with the citation. Not admitting guilt can be beneficial in civil court if there are other damages associated with the charge.
Whether you choose to plead guilty, no contest, or not guilty, make sure you address the citation by the due date on your ticket. If you don’t, the court has the right to issue a warrant for your arrest.
In addition to speeding tickets, the following violations can also raise your premium. Note that while they’re typically less severe, nonmoving violations can also affect your premium.
In Nevada, a speeding ticket will cost you about $205 in fines and raise your insurance premium by an average of 17 percent. GEICO, USAA, and Nationwide have some of the cheapest rates for insurance after a speeding ticket. Get quotes from at least three providers to find the lowest-cost insurance after a ticket.
Minor parking tickets and nonmoving violations typically do not affect insurance premiums. These include expired meters, parking in a no-parking zone, and expired inspection stickers. Depending on the situation, minor equipment issues (e.g., a cracked windshield) may not affect your insurance premium either.
One point may affect your insurance in Nevada, but it depends on the violation. Insurance companies look at accidents and violations on your driving record, not the actual number of points. For example, if you get points for a minor violation like improper use of high beams, your insurance premium may or may not increase, depending on how risky your insurance company views the violation. In general, minor violations cause negligible increases, if any.
Yes, it is possible to get a ticket for driving too slowly in Nevada. Most often, this happens when you don’t drive fast enough when you’re in the left lane of a highway. A first-time citation is $50, a second-time citation is $100, and a third-time citation is $250.
In most cases, a speeding ticket is not a misdemeanor in Nevada. In July 2021, Nevada passed a bill decriminalizing most traffic offenses (including speeding) and categorizing them as civil infractions instead. However, the bill has an exception for speeding 30 mph or more above the limit, which can result in a misdemeanor charge.
2019/2020 Auto Insurance Database Report. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2023, Jan).
https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/publication-aut-pb-auto-insurance-database.pdf
Demerit Point System. Nevada DMV. (2023).
https://dmv.nv.gov/dlpoints.htm
Nevada Fine Amounts For Las Vegas Traffic Violations. Las Vegas Traffic Tickets. (2023).
https://trafficticket.vegas/fines/