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No one wants to get a speeding ticket, but they do happen, and knowing how they impact your car insurance can help you prepare for a potential rate increase. The consequences of a single Arizona speeding ticket may include fines and the addition of points to your license. Your car insurance rate will also likely increase when your policy renews following a speeding ticket. Based on data from Quadrant Information Services, the average cost of full coverage car insurance for a Grand Canyon State driver with a speeding ticket is 25 percent higher than average rates for a driver with a clean record. If you’re hoping to keep your insurance costs down after a speeding ticket in Arizona, this guide has some pointers on finding the most affordable coverage.
How much is a speeding ticket in Arizona?
The cost of a speeding ticket in the Grand Canyon State varies based on the severity of the infraction and the county or city where you were pulled over. For example, in Avondale, a speeding ticket fine ranges from $230 to $505, depending on miles per hour over the limit.
After a speeding ticket in Arizona, the average cost of full coverage car insurance is $3,177 per year, while the average rate for a driver with no marks on their license is $2,547. While this 25 percent increase is the average rate hike, your own premium will vary based on your personal rating factors and the severity of your ticket. Fortunately, most speeding tickets only impact your insurance rates for three to five years.
In addition to a speeding ticket fine, Arizona laws also allow for up to three points to be added to your license for speeding. Accruing more than eight points in a 12-month period may result in mandatory traffic school attendance and license suspension.
The cheapest car insurance for Arizona drivers with a speeding ticket
Finding the cheapest car insurance with a speeding ticket in Arizona usually requires comparing quotes from multiple companies. While most companies quote higher rates for drivers with tickets, some weigh these infractions more heavily than others in the underwriting process. Make sure you ask for the same levels and types of coverage from each so you can compare and choose the cheapest option. When looking for cheap car insurance after your ticket, you may want to consider one of the companies listed below:
| Company | Avg. full coverage rate before speeding ticket | Avg. full coverage rate after speeding ticket | % difference after speeding ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geico | $1,416 | $1,598 | 13% |
| Travelers | $1,375 | $1,877 | 37% |
| Nationwide | $1,904 | $2,373 | 25% |
| USAA | $1,969 | $2,661 | 35% |
| Encompass | $2,344 | $2,668 | 14% |
What to do after a speeding ticket in Arizona
Unfortunately, an Arizona speeding ticket will likely impact your rates for three to five years, depending on the carrier and severity of the ticket. However, there may be ways you can save on your premium even if you don’t have a perfect driving record.
Get quotes from other car insurance companies
Car insurance companies in Arizona look at a wide range of factors when setting auto insurance premiums. In Arizona, your age, gender and credit history will impact your rate as well as your vehicle’s age, make and model. Each company has its own method of determining rates, however, and your premium is likely to vary from company to company. Comparing personalized quotes from different carriers after a ticket may show you if you could get more favorable rates with another company.
Look for discounts
Whether you’re switching carriers or sticking with your current company, taking advantage of all potential discounts may be a fairly easy way to bring down your insurance rates. Although each company has a unique set of discount offerings, some common options you might see include:
- Telematics discounts: Many providers offer telematic devices or apps that may reward you with a lower premium for safe driving behavior.
- Payment discounts: Many carriers offer discounts for paying your premium in full or signing up for paperless billing.
- Student discounts: Young drivers may save on their premiums if they maintain a good GPA or enroll in a defensive driving course.
- Vehicle safety discounts: Car insurance companies may extend discounts for features that improve vehicle safety. These can include anything from backup cameras to automatic lane assist.
Frequently asked questions
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The best auto insurer for a driver with speeding tickets likely depends on the severity and frequency of the tickets as well as their other personal rating factors. Speeding tickets from more than five years ago are typically not factored into your premiums. Comparing quotes from top Arizona car insurance carriers may show you which company offers the best rates for your coverage needs and circumstances. If you have many speeding tickets, you may not be able to purchase standard coverage and may need to seek high-risk car insurance.
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No, you are not required by law to tell your insurer about your speeding ticket. However, your insurer will see a recent speeding ticket at renewal when they check your driving record with the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). If you choose to shop around and compare rates with other carriers, it’s best to be honest about any recent speeding tickets to get the most accurate quote possible. Carriers will check your driving record before finalizing your policy rate.
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No single company is always the cheapest carrier for every driver, all the time. To find the cheapest car insurance company in Arizona for your needs, one strategy is to shop around, asking for quotes from a range of carriers known for offering cheap car insurance to Arizona drivers. Most major insurers allow you to get quotes online by answering a few questions. Others may require you to speak with an agent over the phone. Collecting quotes and comparing discounts will show you the cheapest carrier based on your unique coverage needs and circumstances.
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If you’ve received an Arizona speeding ticket, it will likely remain on your official driving record forever (unless you get it expunged), but it will usually only impact your car insurance rates for three to five years. If you complete a defensive driving course, you might be able to have the ticket dismissed and prevent it from affecting your record. This might also earn you a discount from your insurer.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze July 2024 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver 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 coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base) and single speeding ticket.
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