How a Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance in Arkansas

Premiums for auto insurance in Arkansas increase by an average of 25 percent following a speeding ticket. Keep in mind that comparing rates is difficult because insurance companies base auto insurance prices on a number of factors, including your driving history, ZIP code, and other demographic and vehicle information. Still, anyone who gets a speeding ticket will see higher average annual rates across all car insurance companies.

If you were caught speeding, it’s inevitable that your insurance rates will increase. As long as the speeding tickets stay on your driving record, expect a higher insurance premium, as tickets raise your level of driver risk.

You can still find some of the best auto insurance in Arkansas after getting a speeding ticket, even though it’ll be more expensive than when you had a clean driving record. These tips will help.

1. Get the violation off your record: Your best option, if you’re eligible, is to get the violation off your record by attending driving school, appearing in court, and paying your fine. However, this option is only available if your ticket says “CPw/DS.” If it doesn’t, you’ll have to look for cheap auto insurance with a speeding ticket on your record, which is certainly a feat.
2. Shop around: Don’t accept a first offer. Get quotes from multiple insurance providers that cover high-risk drivers and see who offers the lowest car insurance rate.
3. Get minimum coverage: Arkansas only requires liability coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.¹ While we don’t recommend getting only liability coverage, as it only applies to other people’s injuries and damages and doesn’t cover you and your passengers in an accident, it is the cheapest option. As of 2020, data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners found that liability insurance in Arkansas cost only $477 annually, over $400 less than full coverage car insurance.²
4. See what discounts apply to you: Even if you stick with your current company, the insurer might offer discounts you’re not aware of. For example, if a college student in your household garages their car at home while they’re away at school, you can get an insurance discount with some providers.
5. Bundle policies: If you already have multiple types of insurance policies, like home and auto, bundle them under the same provider to save on both.
6. Drive safely: If you take advantage of telematics or usage-based programs, you can pay for insurance based on your current driving habits, not your past ones. Usage-based insurance (UBI) monitors your driving behaviors, like your phone use while driving, speed, braking, acceleration, and mileage, and charges you based on how you drive. This is a great option for someone with a bad driving record looking to start a clean slate and become a safer driver, as well.

If you speed less than 15 mph over the limit in Arkansas, you might receive three to four points on your driving record, but the violation isn’t a serious one and will not result in a fine or imprisonment. The financial impact will only be to your insurance premium.

If you get a speeding ticket from the state, it’s easiest to pay it online via https://pay.arcourts.gov/pay/citation-query. If you got your ticket from a municipality, you can pay on the municipality’s website, through the mail, or over the phone.

Your ticket will say whether or not you need to appear in court, and you can also look up your case at https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/cconnect/PROD/public/ck_public_qry_main.cp_main_idx.

Here are the main possibilities regarding court appearances.

• Plea and arraignment only: This means you don’t need to appear in court; simply pay your ticket before your court date.
• CPw/DS: Note that if the ticket says “CPw/DS,” it means you can keep the violation off your record by attending driving school, appearing in court, and paying the fine. If you fail to appear in court, the violation will remain on your driving record.
• Mandatory court: You must appear in court.
• Bond hearing: You must appear in court.
• Trial: You must appear at a trial.
• Teen court: For drivers ages 17 and younger, you must appear in court with a parent or guardian.⁶

Speeding isn’t the only violation that can increase the cost of your car insurance in Arkansas. Here are some other violations to avoid:

• Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
• Driving while a license is suspended, revoked, disqualified, barred, denied, canceled, etc.
• Driving without a license
• Failing to file an accident report
• Failing to use brakes, hazmat devices, headlight dimmers, lights, etc.
• Committing a hit-and-run
• Not using a seat belt
• Parking in a handicapped zone
• Texting while driving
• Transporting liquor illegally

The Most Common Traffic Violations in Arkansas

Various forms of speeding are the most common moving violation in Arkansas. They make up a combined 35 percent of the state’s top 10 violations.

In the worst-case scenario, a second reckless driving offense in Arkansas could result in up to a year in jail and a fine of $1,000 if you caused physical injury. While speeding may seem like a victimless crime, especially on low-traffic, rural roads, speed limits exist to keep you and other drivers on the road safe. And sometimes, there are victims.

From 2011 to 2021, there were 1,207 people in Arkansas who died in speeding-related car crashes. This number accounts for 1 in 5 traffic fatalities. Avoid fines, points, penalties, license suspensions, and imprisonment — not to mention property damage, injuries, and death — by adhering to the speed limits around you.