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Last updated: November 18, 2024
How a Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance in Washington
Learn how to reduce your auto insurance premium and avoid future violations after a speeding ticket.
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The state of Washington issues over 1,200 original driver’s licenses and 3,500 renewals every day. It has more than 5.7 million licensed drivers, but some of the lowest numbers of speeding-related deaths in the country. That’s great news, but it doesn’t mean you won’t get ticketed if you speed. Even a single speeding ticket will likely increase your auto insurance premium, not to mention it comes with a fee. Learn more about how a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Washington, and be sure to practice safe driving at all times to keep the roads and traffic courts clear in Washington.
Breaking Down the Impact of a Speeding Ticket
In order to drive in Washington, you need auto insurance. Your insurance will get more expensive after you get a speeding ticket, but how much and for how long varies based on a number of factors.
Increased Premiums
On average, a speeding ticket increases your auto insurance premium by 18 percent in Washington. The range varies widely across auto insurance companies. See below.
| Company | Cost before speeding ticket | Cost after speeding ticket | Average increase after a speeding ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average cost of annual car insurance | $1,230 | $1,451 | 18% |
| Pemco | $1,252 | $1,517 | 21% |
| USAA | $938 | $1,955 | 113% |
| State Farm | $1,359 | $1,951 | 44% |
| GEICO | $1,074 | $1,533 | 43% |
| American Family | $1,496 | $1,763 | 18% |
| Travelers | $1,340 | $1,710 | 28% |
| Progressive | $1,288 | $1,466 | 14% |
| Nationwide | $1,248 | $1,461 | 17% |
| Allstate | $1,527 | $1,674 | 10% |
Multiple Tickets
If you receive multiple tickets in Washington, the Department of Licensing (DOL) may suspend your license. A suspended license results from six moving violations in a 12-month period or seven moving violations in a 24-month period.1 The DOL will suspend your license for 60 days, after which there is a one-year probation period. If you’re ticketed for another moving violation during probation, the DOL will suspend your license for 30 days for each offense, and your one-year probation will start over.
Driving Record
In Washington, a speeding ticket will remain on your driving record for five years.
How Long It Affects Insurance
A speeding ticket will affect your insurance premium for as long as it’s on your driving record.
How to Lower Premiums After a Speeding Ticket
- Shop around. Compare quotes from multiple auto insurers, as they may weigh a speeding ticket conviction differently when determining rates in Washington.
- Look for discounts. Discounts reduce premiums and vary depending on your auto insurance company. Even if you have a speeding ticket, you can reduce your premium if you take advantage of applicable discounts, like bundling or completion of a safe driving course.
- Avoid future moving violations. One of the most important things to do if you want to lower your premium after a speeding ticket is to drive safely and avoid any other traffic violations that could further increase your premium.
Cost of a Speeding Ticket in Washington
The cost of a speeding ticket in Washington depends on the speed limit and how fast you were driving. A ticket for driving too fast for conditions — i.e., in inclement weather — is $48.2
| How fast you were driving | Cost of a speeding ticket in Washington if speed limit is over 40 mph | Cost of a speeding ticket in Washington if speed limit is 40 mph or less |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 mph over limit | $33 | $43 |
| 6-10 mph over limit | $43 | $48 |
| 11-15 mph over limit | $58 | $63 |
| 16-20 mph over limit | $73 | $83 |
| 21-25 mph over limit | $88 | $108 |
| 26-30 mph over limit | $108 | $133 |
| 31-35 mph over limit | $133 | $158 |
| 36-40 mph over limit | $158 | $188 |
| Over 40 mph over limit | $188 | $188 |
What to Do If You Get a Speeding Ticket
Here are your options if you get a speeding ticket in Washington:
- Pay your ticket.
- Apply to perform community service hours at an approved charitable organization (if you receive public assistance).
- Schedule a mitigation hearing if you agree that you committed the ticket infraction but want to explain your situation.
- Schedule a contested hearing if you disagree that you committed the ticket infraction and want to dispute the ticket.
- Declare non-responsibility if you got a camera ticket and were not driving the vehicle at the time.
If you don’t respond to your ticket, the following occurs:
- The court adds a late fee to your ticket amount.
- You lose your right to a hearing.
- The court may send your ticket(s) to a collection agency.
- The DOL may suspend your license.3
PRO TIP:
The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) allows you to purchase a copy of your driving record online for $13. This document lists the collisions, violations, citations, convictions, departmental actions, and license suspensions on your record.
Other Traffic Violations That Affect Car Insurance
In Washington, traffic violations are generally categorized as either criminal or civil. Low-level offenses, also called infractions, are considered civil. As the severity increases, incidents become criminal violations.4
Civil
- Speeding
- Operating a vehicle without proper lighting
- Seat belt violations
Criminal
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Reckless driving
- Omitting a hit-and-run
- Driving with a suspended license
Conclusion
The bottom line is that speeding is dangerous, whether you’re driving 5 mph or 40 mph over the speed limit. Take care on the road to avoid dangerous situations and increases in your auto insurance premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you fight a speeding ticket in Washington state?
It could be worth disputing a traffic fine if it means saving thousands of dollars in higher insurance rates. On the other hand, even if you win, disputing a fine takes time and effort. That could mean missing work and losing pay as well.
How long do points stay on your driving record in Washington state?
The state of Washington doesn’t use a point system. However, traffic infractions will go on your driving record and affect your insurance rate.
Can I go to traffic school for a speeding ticket in Washington?
You can attend traffic school to have a moving violation charge dismissed in Washington. In some cases, traffic school may be court-ordered. Check with the DOL to confirm the requirements to get your charges dismissed by going to traffic school. Typically, your violation must not have involved an accident, and you must not have been convicted of another traffic crime within the last two years or participated in traffic deferment in the last two years. Commercial drivers are not eligible to get their charges dismissed by going to traffic school.
Senior Writer & Editor
A seasoned journalist and content strategist with over 10 years of editorial experience in digital media, Aliza Vigderman has written and edited hundreds of articles on the site, covering everything from plan coverages to discounts to state laws. Previously, she was a senior editor and industry analyst at the home and digital security website Security.org, previously called Security Baron. She has also contributed to The Huffington Post, SquareFoot, and Degreed. Aliza studied journalism at Brandeis University.
Citations
Too many traffic tickets (moving violations). Washington State Department of Licensing. (2024).
https://www.dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/suspended-license/types-driver-license-suspensions/too-many-traffic-tickets-moving-violationsMONETARY PENALTY SCHEDULE FOR INFRACTIONS. Washington Courts. (1992, Sep 1).
https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/CLJIRLJ6.2.pdfTicket Response Options. Seattle Municipal Court. (2024).
https://www.seattle.gov/courts/tickets-and-payments/ticket-response-optionsTraffic Violations in Washington. State Records Washington. (2024).
https://washington.staterecords.org/traffic-violations
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