Getting a speeding ticket in Florida can be a frustrating experience, especially when you’re concerned about how it might affect your insurance rates. Whether you’re a first-time offender or have had multiple tickets in the past, it’s important to understand how traffic violations like speeding can impact your car insurance premiums. In this blog post, we’ll explore how speeding tickets affect insurance in Florida, and when you can expect those changes to show up on your policy.
How Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance in Florida
In Florida, as in many other states, a speeding ticket can lead to an increase in your car insurance rates. Insurance companies assess risk when determining premiums, and traffic violations like speeding are seen as an indicator of higher risk. The more violations on your record, the higher the perceived risk, which can result in higher premiums.
What Happens After You Get a Speeding Ticket?
Once you receive a speeding ticket in Florida, it doesn’t automatically mean your insurance rates will increase. Here’s what happens next:
- Points on Your License: In Florida, speeding tickets result in points being added to your driving record. The number of points depends on how far over the speed limit you were driving. For example:
- 1 to 5 miles per hour over the speed limit: 3 points 6 to 15 miles per hour over the speed limit: 3 points 16 to 29 miles per hour over the speed limit: 4 points 30 or more miles per hour over the speed limit: 4 points
- Insurance Companies Check Your Driving Record: After you receive a speeding ticket, your insurance company will eventually check your driving record. This could happen during your policy renewal or when you request a quote for a new policy. The insurance company will then assess your driving history and determine if your speeding ticket warrants an increase in your premium.
When Will the Ticket Appear on Your Insurance?
The exact timeline for when a speeding ticket shows up on your insurance record can vary, but here’s a general overview:
- Immediate Effects on Your Record: Your speeding ticket will typically show up on your driving record within 30 days of the violation, although this can vary based on how quickly the court processes the ticket. Insurance companies typically access your driving record during your policy renewal or when you apply for a new policy. This means that you may not see an impact on your insurance right away.
- Insurance Renewal: Your insurance company will likely check your driving record during the policy renewal process. If the speeding ticket appears on your record by the time your renewal comes around, your premium may increase at that point. Insurance companies usually look at your most recent driving history (which can include any speeding tickets from the past 3 years) to assess the risk they’re taking on by insuring you.
- New Policy Applications: If you’re shopping around for a new insurance policy before your renewal date, your new insurer may check your driving record. If your speeding ticket is on file, your new premium could be affected as well.
How Long Will the Speeding Ticket Affect Your Insurance?
While the ticket itself may only remain on your record for a few years, the impact on your insurance can last longer, typically up to 3 years. After this time, the points will generally no longer affect your driving record or insurance premiums—unless you incur more violations within that period.
How to Minimize the Impact on Your Insurance
If you’ve received a speeding ticket, there are a few steps you can take to minimize its impact on your insurance rates:
- Attend Traffic School: In Florida, you may be eligible to attend a court-approved traffic school to avoid having the ticket show up on your driving record. Completing traffic school can help keep points off your record and prevent your insurance company from finding out about the ticket. However, this option is only available for drivers who haven’t attended traffic school in the last 12 months and have not accumulated more than 5 points on their driving record.
- Challenge the Ticket: If you believe the ticket was issued unfairly, you can contest it in court. If you win, the ticket will be dismissed, and it won’t appear on your driving record or affect your insurance rates.
- Shop Around for Insurance: If you receive a speeding ticket and notice a premium increase, it might be time to shop around for different insurance providers. Insurance companies have different ways of assessing risk, and you might find a better rate with a different insurer.
- Drive Safely Moving Forward: The best way to keep your insurance rates low is by maintaining a clean driving record. Avoid accumulating additional points, and your insurance company will be more likely to offer you better rates in the future.
In Florida, a speeding ticket can affect your insurance rates, but the impact won’t be immediate. Your ticket will likely show up on your driving record within 30 days, and your insurance company will check your record at the time of your policy renewal or when you apply for a new policy. However, by attending traffic school, challenging the ticket, or shopping around for insurance, you can minimize the potential increase in your premiums.
If you’re facing a speeding ticket or other traffic violation, it’s always a good idea to consult with an attorney to discuss your options. At Simmons Law Group, we’re here to help with your legal needs, whether it’s fighting a ticket or understanding how it will affect your insurance. Contact us today for personalized advice and guidance.
