Getting a speeding ticket in California can put a dent in your wallet and raise your car insurance rates by an average of 26%. In the Golden State, a speeding conviction adds one point to your driving record, and it stays there for at least three years.[1] [2]
Fortunately, rates vary widely from company to company, and some companies are more forgiving of a single violation than others. USAA, Aspire General, and GEICO offer some of the most affordable rates for California drivers with a speeding ticket.
Read on to learn more about how a ticket affects your rates and which insurance companies have the lowest average premiums.
After a speeding ticket, California drivers pay an average of $252 per month for full coverage and $122 for liability-only coverage.
California drivers pay an average of $186 per month after a ticket, compared to $147 for drivers with a clean record.
If you already have one violation within the last three years, a speeding ticket in California makes you ineligible for the state-mandated 20% good driver discount.[3][4]
Cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket in California
Comparison shopping can help you find the best car insurance in California after a speeding ticket. Rates vary by company, and some may raise them sharply after a speeding ticket.
For example, Travelers’ average rate for full-coverage car insurance jumps from $232 per month to $303 with a speeding ticket.
The table below shows average monthly rates for California drivers with a clean driving record versus drivers with a speeding ticket.
Insurance Company | Average Full-Coverage Quote: With Clean Record | Average Full-Coverage Quote: With Speeding Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Aspire General | $121 | $153 |
| Root | $135 | $162 |
| USAA | $144 | $187 |
| GEICO | $143 | $188 |
| Mercury | $140 | $195 |
| Kemper Special | $160 | $203 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $163 | $207 |
| Sun Coast | $166 | $211 |
| Anchor | $180 | $224 |
| Dairyland | $187 | $234 |
| National General | $194 | $244 |
| Allstate | $198 | $259 |
| Farmers | $204 | $263 |
| Bristol West | $213 | $270 |
| Direct Auto | $219 | $277 |
| State Farm | $221 | $282 |
| Travelers | $232 | $303 |
| 21st Century | $253 | $335 |
| Nationwide | $311 | $405 |
| Chubb | $393 | $504 |
Keep in mind that insurance companies weigh rating factors differently. Your age, vehicle, location, coverage options, and deductibles all interact with your driving record in ways that vary from company to company. The cheapest insurer for your neighbor might not be the cheapest option for you.
Find Cheap Car Insurance in California
Monthly rates start at $84 for drivers with a ticket
How much does a speeding ticket increase insurance in California?
A speeding ticket raises California auto insurance rates by about 26%, increasing average premiums from $146 to $184 per month. The increase is more dramatic for drivers with full coverage, with premiums jumping from $195 to $245 per month — a $50 difference.
Meanwhile, drivers with liability insurance coverage see average rates increase from $92 to $116 per month, a $24 difference.
Your rate change depends on several factors, including your insurance company’s rating model and your driving history. The severity of the infraction matters, too. A first offense for driving 10 mph above the speed limit will typically cost you less than a ticket for driving more than 25 mph over.
The table below shows how much different types of policies increase after getting a speeding ticket.
Driver Profile | Average Monthly Rate: Full Coverage | Average Monthly Rate: Liability Only |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $195 | $92 |
| Speeding ticket | $245 | $116 |
| Difference | $50 | $24 |
Some California insurers also offer accident forgiveness programs that limit rate increases after a first violation. It’s worth asking about these programs when comparing quotes.
California DMV laws and how speeding tickets affect car insurance
A speeding ticket signals to insurance companies that you’re a higher-risk driver, and your rates reflect that.
In California, most traffic violations add one point to your driving record under the state’s Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS).[1] But if the police catch you driving over 100 mph, that will add two points to your record.[5]
When you have more than one point in your record, you lose eligibility for California’s mandatory good driver discount. California requires all insurance companies to offer a 20% discount to all drivers who:
Have had a driver’s license for at least three years
Haven’t had more than one point on their record within the last three years
Don’t have any felonies or misdemeanors on their driving record
So if you already have one point on your record, getting a speeding ticket can cost you the discount.
Fortunately, you have the option of attending a DMV-approved traffic violator school. Completing the course masks that point from your insurance company so you can keep your safe driving discount. But you’re only eligible once every 18 months.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record in California?
Most one-point speeding violations stay on your California driving record for three years from the date of the violation. Speeding over 100 mph is an exception. That two-point violation remains on your record for up to seven years.
For insurance purposes, the timeline is similar but varies by company. Most insurance companies only look back three to five years when rating your insurance policy. Some look back 10 years, but that’s typically only for serious offenses like driving over 100 mph while driving under the influence (DUI).
Your premium should decrease once the violation falls off your record.
Shop for Affordable Car Insurance in California
Save up to $1,100† per year on coverage
How to lower your car insurance rate after a speeding ticket in California
A speeding ticket doesn’t have to leave you paying high rates indefinitely. Here are a few things you can do to help lower your car insurance costs in California while the ticket is on your record:
Complete a DMV-approved traffic school program
Completing a California traffic school course hides one point from your insurance company. So you may be able to keep your good driver discount. Find the list of approved traffic schools at the California DMV website.
Compare insurance quotes from multiple companies
Insurers weigh speeding tickets differently. Rates for the same driver profile can vary by hundreds of dollars per year. Shopping around is a good way to find a more affordable rate after a ticket.
Bundle your home and auto insurance
Many California insurance companies offer discounts for bundling your car insurance with your home or renters insurance. Depending on your insurer, bundling could save anywhere from 10% to 25%. This can offset some of the higher premiums after a traffic ticket.
Raise your deductible
The California Department of Insurance recommends considering a higher deductible for collision and comprehensive coverage. Even a small deductible increase can help you save money.
Ask about other discounts
If you lose your good driver discount, you may be eligible for other discounts. Some California insurers offer discounts based on your job or professional organization. For example, insurers may partner with groups like the California Association for the Education of Young Children and the California Medical Association.[6] Several California university alumni groups and labor unions also partner with insurers to provide discounts.
Do speeding tickets affect car insurance in California FAQs
California is among the most expensive states for car insurance, and a speeding ticket can drive rates even higher. Here are answers to a few other questions you might have about how speeding tickets affect your rates.
Does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in California?
Yes. A speeding ticket raises the average California driver’s car insurance premium by 26%. You also lose eligibility for California’s state-mandated 20% good driver discount if you get more than one point on your record within three years.
How long does a ticket stay on your insurance in California?
Standard speeding tickets stay on your record for three years. More serious violations, like driving 100 mph or speeding while getting a DUI, can stay on your record longer. Insurance companies typically look at the past three to five years when calculating your rate. Your premiums should decrease when the ticket falls off your record.
Can you lower your car insurance after a ticket in California?
Yes. You may be able to lower your insurance costs by comparing quotes from several car insurance companies or completing a DMV-approved traffic school program. Even if you lose your good driver discount, you may still qualify for other discounts like bundling and employer and professional association discounts.
Who is considered a high-risk driver in California?
Insurance companies in California generally consider you a high-risk driver if you have multiple violations, an at-fault accident, or a driving under the influence (DUI) or reckless driving charge. A lapse in auto coverage can also make you a high risk in the eyes of insurers.
A single speeding ticket typically won’t label you as high risk, but a pattern of moving violations under California’s point system will.
How does traffic school affect car insurance rates in California?
Completing a DMV-approved traffic school course prevents your insurer from seeing a one-point violation, although the point stays on your driving record. In California, you can only use this option once every 18 months.
Sources
- California DMV. "Driver Negligence."
- California Courts. "Guide to traffic tickets."
- California Code of Regulations (Westlaw). "California Code of Regulations."
- California Department of Insurance. "Good Driver Definition Flyer."
- Ca.gov. "California Code, VEH 12810.."
- California Association for the Education of Young Children. "Score a Special Discount from GEICO."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)