How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Auto Insurance In Florida
Yes, a speeding ticket will likely raise your insurance rates in Florida—typically by 15% to 25%. The exact increase depends on your insurer, driving history, and the severity of the violation.
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If you’ve recently received a speeding ticket in Florida, you might be wondering how it will affect your auto insurance rates. Florida drivers face some of the steepest consequences when it comes to traffic violations. Insurers in the state take speeding seriously—especially since Florida has a high rate of auto claims and traffic incidents compared to the national average.
With my 9 years of experience as a licensed insurance agent, I help drivers find auto insurance that can handle the impact of a speeding ticket. There are ways to get affordable auto insurance even after a ticket.
Key Takeaways
When you get a speeding ticket in Florida, you can either pay the fine, contest the ticket in court, or take a defensive driving course.
If you opt for a defensive driving course to prevent the ticket from affecting your record, you usually have 30 days to submit your plea of no contest.
In Florida, insurance rates typically go up after a speeding ticket, but there are strategies to help keep your rates low even after an infraction.
Do Speeding Tickets Impact Insurance in Florida?
Yes, speeding tickets can impact your insurance in Florida. On average, a single speeding ticket can raise your premium by around 20%. The exact increase depends on the severity of the offense, your driving history, and your insurance provider’s rating policies.
How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance In Florida
Having a clean driving record can help keep your car insurance costs low. However, even one mistake can cause your car insurance to go up, sometimes significantly, depending on the insurer.
Here are some examples of how a single speeding ticket can affect your insurance rates. You’ll see how the impact can differ between companies.
| Provider | Clean Record | Speeding Ticket | Increase |
| GEICO | $1,489 | $3,140 | 117% |
| Allstate | $3,140 | $3,7812 | 24% |
| State Farm | $1,659 | $2,532 | 53% |
| Progressive | $3,341 | $4,591 | 35% |
| Travelers | $969 | $2,759 | 179% |
Insurance rates can change based on several factors, including your driving history, where you live, your gender, and your claim history. If you make a claim related to a speeding ticket, it can affect these factors in various ways, especially depending on how serious the speeding violation is. Generally, the more serious the ticket, the bigger the increase in your insurance costs.
Quick Tip: The average driver who switches insurance after a rate hike saves up to 20%, according to recent industry data.
Does A First-Time Speeding Ticket Affect Insurance?
Yes, a first-time speeding ticket in Florida can affect your insurance premiums—but the impact depends on your insurer and driving history.
Many Florida insurers consider speeding tickets a sign of risky behavior. If you’re a new driver or already have a less-than-perfect record, even a first ticket could raise your rates. On average, a single speeding ticket may increase your premium by 10% to 20%, though some companies offer leniency for first-time offenders.
Quick Tip: Florida uses a points system. A speeding ticket adds 3 to 6 points, depending on how fast you were going—these points can trigger rate hikes at renewal time.
However, some insurers offer first-time forgiveness or may overlook minor infractions, especially if your record is otherwise clean. It’s always smart to call your insurer or shop around to see how the ticket might affect your specific policy.
Consequences: In Florida, speeds below 10 MPH over the limit are considered Class C misdemeanors. Speeds between 10 and 25 MPH over the limit, as well as reckless driving, fall under Class B and A misdemeanors, respectively.
How To Find Affordable Insurance After A Speeding Ticket
In Florida, navigating insurance costs after a speeding ticket can require some effort, as each company handles situations differently. Here are some simple ways to find cheaper insurance after getting a speeding ticket:
Switch To Liability Only
Full coverage can be expensive after a speeding ticket. If you don’t have to keep full coverage, try switching to just liability. This will lower your monthly payments, but you won’t be covered for accidents or theft.
Take A Defensive Driving Course
Insurance companies like it when drivers try to improve. Taking a defensive driving course shows you want to drive safely and can help reduce your insurance costs.
Shop Around
Shopping around for insurance is a crucial step in finding the best deal. Different companies offer varying rates and coverage options, so it’s wise to compare quotes from multiple insurers. Take the time to look into customer reviews and ratings as well, as these can give you insight into the quality of service you can expect.
Keeping a clean driving record is important for your future insurance rates. If you get another ticket within those three years, it will reset your record, leading to even higher rates since you’ll be considered a greater risk to insure.
Enroll In A Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) Course
If you get a speeding ticket for going less than 30 mph over the limit, taking a BDI course will stop points from being added to your driving record. This means Florida car insurance companies can’t raise your rates, cancel your policy early, or refuse to renew it when it ends.
Search For Discounts
Florida insurers offer a variety of discounts that could help offset a rate hike. Ask your insurer about:
- Safe driver discounts
- Bundling home and auto insurance
- Good student discounts
- Low-mileage discounts
- Defensive driving course completion
Lower Your Coverage Levels
If you’re leasing a car and must keep full coverage, your options may be limited. However, one way to lower your premium after a ticket is to raise your deductible. Just keep in mind that this means you’ll pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.
If you own an older vehicle, you might think about dropping comprehensive and collision coverage. Be aware that if you’re in an accident, your insurance will only cover the other driver. The minimum coverage limits in Florida are $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) for each person and each accident, and the same $10,000 for property damage coverage.
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What To Do After Getting A Speeding Ticket In Florida
If you were caught speeding in Florida, you can do the following things.
Review The Ticket Carefully
When you make your court appearance, they will provide you with instructions on how to pay for the ticket. After receiving a speeding ticket in Florida, the first step is to review the ticket carefully. Make sure all the information is accurate, including the date, time, location, and your vehicle’s details.
Decide How To Respond
Once you’ve reviewed the ticket, you need to decide how to respond. In Florida, you generally have three options: pay the fine, contest the ticket in court, or attend a defensive driving course (which can reduce your citation fees by about 20%). Paying the fine usually means accepting the violation, which can impact your insurance rates. If you believe you were wrongly ticketed, you can choose to contest it, but be prepared to provide evidence.
Notify Your Insurance Company
After addressing the ticket, it’s important to inform your insurance company about the violation. Some insurers require you to disclose any tickets you receive, as failing to do so could lead to complications later on. By being upfront, you can better understand how the ticket might impact your premium and discuss options for minimizing the financial effects.
How Long Does A Speeding Ticket Stay On My Record?
In Florida, a speeding ticket typically stays on your driving record for 3 years. This means it may influence your auto insurance premiums for that entire period.
However, certain factors can make a ticket more serious in the eyes of insurers. For example:
- Speeding in a school zone
- Being involved in an accident with injuries
- Driving under the influence
These circumstances may cause your ticket to impact your insurance rates for longer than the usual three years. Even though the ticket may drop off your record, some insurers continue to factor it into your pricing decisions for up to five years.
How Much Is A Speeding Ticket In Florida?
In Florida, speeding violations are taken seriously, and they can have a significant impact on your insurance rates. Unlike some states, Florida tends to see a more considerable increase in premiums after a speeding ticket, often around 20% or more. Additionally, if you’re fined for speeding in sensitive areas like school zones or construction zones, the consequences can be even harsher.
These types of violations are viewed as more serious by insurance companies, which may lead to higher rate increases and longer-lasting impacts on your driving record.
| Fine by MPH over limit | Posted Limit | School Zone | Construction Zone |
| 1 to 5 | Usually let go with a warning | $54 | $55 |
| 6 to 9 | $27 | $53 | $95 |
| 10 to 14 | $96 | $197 | $395 |
| 15 to 19 | $148 | $297 | $587 |
| 20 to 29 | $175 | $348 | $696 |
| 30 plus | $249 | $489 | $998 |
Driving over 30 miles per hour above the speed limit is classified as reckless driving. This offense is taken more seriously than other traffic violations because it shows a disregard for the rules and puts other people on the road at risk.
Penalties For Speeding
In Florida, the penalties for speeding can be significant. A first offense may result in a fine of up to $500. However, if you become a habitual offender, meaning you accumulate 3 speeding tickets within a 12-month period you could face a maximum fine of $1,000, along with possible jail time or other penalties.
For repeat offenders in Florida, additional consequences may include:
- Failure to appear in court: Missing a court date can lead to further legal issues.
- Referral to collections: Unpaid fines can be sent to collections, which may harm your credit score.
- Difficulties renewing your insurance: Insurance companies may deny renewal if you have multiple violations.
- Possible arrest warrant: Continued disregard for traffic laws could lead to more severe legal actions.
If you were speeding and caused a crash, you might have to pay extra penalties based on the situation:
- If someone was injured or property was damaged: You could face an extra $250 fine, have to go to driver improvement school, or both.
- If there was serious injury: You could face a $500 penalty and your license could be suspended for three months.
- If someone died: You could face a $1,000 penalty and your license could be suspended for six months.
Important: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of fatal accidents in 2022, highlighting the serious risks associated with speeding.
What is the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket?
Finding the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket in Florida can depend on several factors, including your driving history, the severity of the violation, and the insurance provider. Generally, some companies known for offering competitive rates include Geico, State Farm, and Progressive.
It’s essential to compare quotes from multiple insurers, as rates can vary widely. Additionally, look for discounts that may apply, such as safe driver discounts or savings for completing a defensive driving course.
How do I get a speeding ticket off my insurance?
To get a speeding ticket off your insurance, you have a few options. First, you can complete a defensive driving course, which may help keep the ticket off your driving record and reduce its impact on your insurance rates. Check with your insurance company to see if they offer this option.
Another way is to wait until the ticket naturally falls off your record, which typically happens after three years in Florida. During this time, maintain a clean driving record to show insurers you’re a responsible driver.
Will my insurance company find out about my speeding ticket immediately?
Your insurance company may not find out about your speeding ticket immediately, but they will eventually. When you get a ticket, it typically gets reported to the state’s driving record database. Insurance companies regularly check these records, usually at renewal time or when you apply for a new policy.
It’s important to be honest with your insurer about any tickets, as failing to disclose them could lead to problems later on, including higher rates or cancellation of your policy.
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