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Last updated: December 11, 2023

How a Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance in Nevada

The cost of speeding in the Silver State, and what you can do about it

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Maya Afilalo
Maya Afilalo, Senior Staff Writer & Editor

Speeding tickets can happen to anyone. Even cautious drivers get caught in speed traps from time to time. In addition to paying for the ticket, you can expect an increase in your auto insurance premium. That’s because insurance providers see speeding as a sign of risky driving. Let’s dive into how much you’ll pay in Nevada and ways to lower costs.

How a Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance

In terms of car insurance, here’s what to expect after a speeding ticket in Nevada.

Rate Hikes

On average, in Nevada your auto insurance costs will rise by about 17 percent after a speeding ticket. It’s worth looking into different providers, as the exact increase differs by company. In general, auto insurance in Nevada costs more than the national average, even for people without a ticket — making it even more worthwhile to shop around.1

Company Average annual cost for full coverage without a speeding ticket Average annual cost for full coverage with a speeding ticket Increase
AAA $3,460 $4,379 27%
Allstate $2,482 $3,227 30%
American Family $2,167 $2,293 6%
Farmers $3,403 $4,324 27%
GEICO $1,127 $1,411 25%
Hallmark Financial $2,074 $2,148 4%
Mutual of Enumclaw $2,828 $3,214 14%
Nationwide $1,598 $1,765 10%
Progressive $1,461 $1,976 35%
Sentry $4,678 $5,048 8%
State Farm $1,685 $1,931 15%
USAA $1,564 $1,726 10%

Driving Record

A speeding conviction will add points to your license. The exact number of points depends on how fast you were going:2

Miles per hour (mph) over the posted limit Points
1-10 1
11-20 2
21-30 3
31-40 4
41 or more 5
Driving too fast for conditions (also known as a prima facie speed violation) 2

The Nevada DMV removes the points from your license one year after your conviction. However, the conviction itself stays on your permanent record, so it may still affect your premium even after the points are gone. Most insurance companies look about three years back on your record when determining rates, so expect increased rates during that time.

NOTE:

If you accrue between 3 and 11 points, the Nevada DMV will deduct 3 points if you take an approved traffic safety course (assuming attending traffic school is not a requirement of a plea deal). If you accrue 12 points within a year, your license will be suspended for 6 months.

How to Lower Your Premium After a Speeding Ticket

There are several ways you can lower your auto insurance costs after a speeding ticket:

  1. Switch providers. Some companies are more forgiving after a speeding ticket than others. Get quotes from at least three providers to find the cheapest rates. Most companies won’t charge a fee when you cancel your auto insurance policy (especially if you’ve held the policy for longer than a month), so there’s little to lose by shopping around.
  2. Drive less. With a pay-per-mile insurance company, your auto insurance costs are tied to your mileage. If you carpool, have a short commute, or use your car only for errands, you can save money by switching to a pay-per-mile policy. In general, these policies make the most sense for people who drive less than 8,000 miles per year.
  3. Reduce your coverage. Opting for the minimum coverage will result in the biggest savings. However, keep in mind that minimum coverage won’t pay for damage or injuries to your vehicle or passengers. Additionally, if the other party’s damages exceed your limits, they can sue you to recover the difference.

Cost of Speeding Ticket in Nevada

In addition to an increased insurance premium and points on your record, a speeding ticket in Nevada will cost you in fines. The fine is $205 for your first offense and $230 for your second offense.3

What to Do If You Get a Speeding Ticket

There are two routes you can take if you get a speeding ticket in Nevada:

  1. Plead guilty or no contest. Pleading guilty and no contest are similar, with a few technical differences. In both cases, you will pay the fine, which you can do online at: https://nvcourts.gov/supreme/how_do_i/pay_a_ticket. In some cases, you may be able to negotiate with the judge for a lower fine or alternative sentence, such as community service or attending traffic school.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

By pleading guilty, you acknowledge you committed the offense. When you plead no contest, you do not admit guilt but accept the fine and punishment associated with the citation. Not admitting guilt can be beneficial in civil court if there are other damages associated with the charge.

  1. Plead not guilty. If you plead not guilty, the court will assign you a trial date, and you will have the chance to present evidence (such as video recordings and witness testimony) to prove your innocence. If the officer does not show up, the court may dismiss the case, but often courts reschedule hearings if officers are unable to attend. If you win, you avoid points, the fine, and an increase in your premium. If you lose, you may have to pay court costs in addition to your fine. Regardless, fighting a ticket can be time-consuming and stressful, so consider whether you have the bandwidth to do it before choosing this route.

Whether you choose to plead guilty, no contest, or not guilty, make sure you address the citation by the due date on your ticket. If you don’t, the court has the right to issue a warrant for your arrest.

Other Traffic Violations That Affect Car Insurance

In addition to speeding tickets, the following violations can also raise your premium. Note that while they’re typically less severe, nonmoving violations can also affect your premium.

Moving

  • Reckless driving
  • Running a red light or stop sign
  • Driving under the influence
  • Failure to yield
  • Driving without insurance
  • Texting and driving

Nonmoving

  • Missed or lapsed insurance coverage
  • Equipment violations (e.g., broken headlight or taillight)
  • Severe parking violations (e.g., if they result in a towed or impounded vehicle)

Recap

In Nevada, a speeding ticket will cost you about $205 in fines and raise your insurance premium by an average of 17 percent. GEICO, USAA, and Nationwide have some of the cheapest rates for insurance after a speeding ticket. Get quotes from at least three providers to find the lowest-cost insurance after a ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tickets don't affect insurance?

Minor parking tickets and nonmoving violations typically do not affect insurance premiums. These include expired meters, parking in a no-parking zone, and expired inspection stickers. Depending on the situation, minor equipment issues (e.g., a cracked windshield) may not affect your insurance premium either.

Does one point affect insurance in Nevada?

One point may affect your insurance in Nevada, but it depends on the violation. Insurance companies look at accidents and violations on your driving record, not the actual number of points. For example, if you get points for a minor violation like improper use of high beams, your insurance premium may or may not increase, depending on how risky your insurance company views the violation. In general, minor violations cause negligible increases, if any.

Can you get a ticket for driving too slowly in Nevada?

Yes, it is possible to get a ticket for driving too slowly in Nevada. Most often, this happens when you don’t drive fast enough when you’re in the left lane of a highway. A first-time citation is $50, a second-time citation is $100, and a third-time citation is $250.

Is a speeding ticket a misdemeanor in Nevada?

In most cases, a speeding ticket is not a misdemeanor in Nevada. In July 2021, Nevada passed a bill decriminalizing most traffic offenses (including speeding) and categorizing them as civil infractions instead. However, the bill has an exception for speeding 30 mph or more above the limit, which can result in a misdemeanor charge.

Citations

  1. 2019/2020 Auto Insurance Database Report. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2023, Jan).
    https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/publication-aut-pb-auto-insurance-database.pdf

  2. Demerit Point System. Nevada DMV. (2023).
    https://dmv.nv.gov/dlpoints.htm

  3. Nevada Fine Amounts For Las Vegas Traffic Violations. Las Vegas Traffic Tickets. (2023).
    https://trafficticket.vegas/fines/

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