How a Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance in Ohio | Bankrate
One of the most important factors taken into account when determining annual car insurance premiums is your driving record. The cleaner your driving history, the easier your chances of getting a more affordable rate of premium. Ohio is generally on the cheaper side for car insurance, with the yearly average cost of full coverage car lower than the national average. However, this may not be the same after a speeding ticket. According to Bankrate’s 2021 study of quoted annual premiums, a speeding ticket in Ohio increased the average cost of car insurance in Ohio by 32%.
Speeding is a misdemeanor in Ohio and carries penalties that can add to the cost of higher insurance rates. Unless otherwise stated, a driver is in violation of Ohio’s speed limit if they exceed 55 miles per hour on most roadways and 65 miles an hour on most expressways. With a speeding ticket on your driving record, your car insurance costs will likely rise and remain high for at least the next few years.
How much is a speeding ticket in Ohio?
When you are pulled over for exceeding the posted speed limit in Ohio, your penalties will depend on the type of offense. A repeat offender will face stricter penalties compared to a first time offender with no prior tickets. Penalties for speeding in Ohio can include the following:
- Maximum fine of $150 for first and second offenses
- Maximum fine of $250 and/or up to 30 days in jail for a third offense
- Up to $500 in fines and up to 60 days in jail for fourth and subsequent offenses
In Ohio, insurance points are also added to the driving record for speeding ticket convictions. Also called demerit points, these are accumulated by a motorist after repeat traffic violations. Too many points on your record can make it very difficult to get affordable car insurance, and can also result in license suspension, depending on the situation.
How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Ohio?
In Ohio, car insurance rates increase by about 32% when factoring in a speeding ticket on your driving record. Even a minor violation with no history of prior offenses could cause you to be considered high-risk to insure, leading to higher premiums. The younger you are, the steeper the increase may be in your annual premiums, as well. Drivers under 25 years of age can sometimes expect to pay 50% more than the original cost of insurance after a speeding ticket because statistics indicate that young drivers are more prone to accidents. It is the same with male drivers, who statistically cause more accidents than female drivers, and may be charged more after a speeding ticket accordingly.
After a speeding ticket in Ohio, the cost of full coverage car insurance rises by 32% on average, while the average increase for female drivers with a speeding ticket comes in just less, at 31%. The rates below reflect quoted annual premiums from Quadrant Information Services, and although useful for the sake of comparison, do not reflect what your Ohio car insurance rates will be.
Average annual full coverage premium
| Age | Rate before speeding ticket | Rate after speeding ticket | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-year-old male | $1,035 | $1,370 | 32% |
| 40-year-old female | $1,034 | $1,355 | 31% |
| Total average | $1,034 | $1,362 | 32% |
Your premium after a speeding ticket is factored in would depend on the risk factors associated with your life circumstances, age, driving record and other aspects unique to each driver. While these might be the average rates after a speeding ticket in Ohio is factored in, you may still be able to do a few things to get cheaper car insurance.
How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in Ohio
Even though you may not be able to stop your insurance cost from rising after a speeding ticket, there are ways you can still save on premiums or reduce the cost of your car insurance. Depending on your situation, some of the following strategies may be effective for you.
Get quotes from other car insurance companies
Although annual premiums can be higher for drivers in Ohio with a speeding ticket, some providers may still be cheaper than others, depending upon the percentage of increase and other factors. If your current rates are unaffordable, comparing quotes from other providers may result in a savings opportunity, as indicated in the following table.
Average annual full coverage premium by car insurance company in Ohio
| Car insurance company | Rate before speeding ticket | Rate after speeding ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,292 | $2,101 |
| American Family | $865 | $1,651 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,035 | $1,244 |
| Celina | $1,260 | $1,396 |
| Central | $1,162 | $1,376 |
| Donegal | $944 | $1,413 |
| Erie | $974 | $1,067 |
| Farmers | $913 | $1,366 |
| Frankenmuth | $1,177 | $1,546 |
| Geico | $843 | $878 |
| Hastings Mutual | $758 | $826 |
| MetLife | $1,350 | $2,028 |
| Motorists | $1,137 | $1,289 |
| Progressive | $998 | $1,406 |
| State Farm | $906 | $927 |
| USAA | $820 | $992 |
| Westfield | $1,234 | $1,425 |
Keep in mind that price is not the only factor you might consider when choosing an insurance provider. Customer reviews, third-party ratings, coverage options and financial stability are some of the other things to check when picking the best car insurance company in Ohio.
Raise your deductible
If the amount that you need to pay out of pocket when filing a claim is higher than the standard deductible amount, your annual premiums will likely be lower. This strategy can help you save on the cost of car insurance for monthly or annual costs, but it does mean you are assuming a higher degree of financial risk in the event of an accident. It is important to be prepared to pay the deductible, if you need to file a claim.
Change your coverage
You may also consider switching to a pay-per-mile program if you have low annual mileage to help with savings. Bundling your car insurance with another policy from the same provider could also allow you to save a few hundred dollars a year. Another option for some drivers is to consider dropping the coverage options that you do not need, including collision and comprehensive coverages, or other fancy add-ons for your vehicle. However, it may be best to consult with your insurer about whether or not omitting these coverages would leave you at a greater level of financial risk.
Other speeding ticket considerations
Typically, a speeding ticket remains on your driving record for up to three years. In addition to an insurance rate increase after a speeding ticket, you could also lose any safe driver discounts from which you previously benefited. After three years, or however long your speeding ticket stays on your record, your insurance rates may gradually lower, provided you have no other incidents on your record.
In Ohio, if you are charged with exceeding prima facie speed limits (as opposed to absolute speed limits) you have the choice to go to court and prove yourself not guilty. Otherwise, the most common penalties for speeding are monetary fines, or incarceration time for fourth and subsequent offenses. License suspension may occur if a driver keeps breaking speed limits consistently and accumulates a large number of demerit points. Speeding tickets do not remain a cause for suspension after three years, but your insurance company may continue to check your driving record periodically.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car insurance company for drivers with speeding tickets?
The best car insurance companies will be different for drivers with a clean record compared to those with speeding tickets. If regular insurers quote you unaffordable rates, or even deny coverage, you may need to look to providers who specialize in high-risk insurance. Most major insurers have options for high-risk drivers but sometimes smaller, local companies may be able to offer better rates. Comparing quotes is the best way to find the right provider for your circumstances.
How do I keep a speeding ticket off my record?
Adhering to the speed limit and practicing safe driving will help ensure you avoid a speeding ticket or other traffic violation. Some drivers who receive a speeding ticket may be able to contest it or ask for a driving course or deferral, which may keep a ticket off your record.
How long does a ticket remain on the driving record?
In most states, a ticket remains on a driving record for up to three years. However, this may change depending on the severity or frequency of the convictions.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on 18-year-old and 40-year-old male and female drivers with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
Incident: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied.
Gender: the following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.
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