How a Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance in Ohio

On average, premiums for car insurance in Ohio increase by 14 percent after a speeding ticket. However, rates are usually more affordable in Ohio compared to the national average, so you may find cheap rates even after a moving violation.

For example, Erie’s premiums increase by only four percent with a speeding citation, which is still lower than the cost of car insurance in Ohio for drivers with clean records.

Expect higher auto insurance rates the more miles per hour (mph) over the speed limit you were driving or if you have multiple points on your driver’s license. Car insurance companies determine rates based on your driving history, among other factors, so speeding tickets or moving violations increase your premiums.

Penalties for Speeding in Ohio

Not only will you need to pay a fine for speeding, but you’ll also accumulate at least two points for each speeding citation. In Ohio, points stay on your record for two years, but the violation stays on your record for at least three years. That means you’ll pay higher premiums for a few years after your ticket, even if you have no other violations.

The consequences are steeper for repeat offenders. If you accumulate three speeding citations in a year, you’ll be charged with a fourth-degree misdemeanor and potential jail time. This may make it especially hard to get insured, since car insurance companies will consider you a high-risk driver.

Even if your premiums increase after a speeding ticket, there are multiple ways to find lower rates on your policy.

Sign Up for a Driver Safety Course

In Ohio, attending traffic school does not automatically remove points from your record — however, your local traffic court or the DMV may dismiss your ticket for taking a defensive driver course. Confirm with your local authority before purchasing a seat in a course.

Additionally, if you’re convicted of distracted driving or another violation while driving distracted, you can take a course from the Ohio Department of Public Safety instead of paying a fine. Taking the distracted driver class also allows you to avoid points being added to your license, which helps prevent your insurance from going up.³

Raise Your Deductible

Raising the deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage lowers your rates, because you assume more of the cost in the event of a claim. Just make sure you can afford the new deductible. Ultimately it comes down to your risk tolerance and personal finances, but $1,000 often strikes a good balance

The cost of your speeding ticket will depend on the municipality in which you receive it. Here are the costs of a speeding ticket in three municipalities in Ohio: Harrison,⁴ Lebanon,⁵ and Montgomery.⁶

Here’s what to do if you’re caught speeding in Ohio.

Enter Your Plea

After getting a speeding ticket, you have three options when it comes to your plea:

• Guilty: Guilty means you have committed the offense and will pay your ticket before it’s due.
• Not guilty: Not guilty means you will go to trial, and the city must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Choose this plea if you believe you were not breaking the speed limit and are disputing the facts in the case. After your initial court appearance, your case will be set for one to three weeks later.
• No contest: No contest isn’t an admission of guilt, but it means you are agreeing with the facts of the case. The court will determine your guilt or innocence based on these facts. Note that the result is a guilty finding in almost every instance of a no-contest plea. However, you have the chance to add any facts to the record that you feel explain your circumstances or should lessen your sentence.⁷

Take a Driving Course

In certain cities, like Columbus, you can take a defensive driving course and have the speeding ticket removed from your record entirely so it won’t increase your insurance premium. You’ll only have to pay the court costs, and your driving record will remain points-free.⁸

Pay the Fine

If you’re entering a guilty plea, pay your fine either online or in person at your local police department or BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) location.

Appeal the Fine

If you were required to pay the fine after a guilty verdict, you can appeal to your county’s municipal court. Before you pay the fine, let the court clerk know and consult an attorney.

Any traffic violation on your record will result in a higher car insurance premium, as a bad driving record makes you a high-risk driver in the eyes of insurers. Aside from speeding, avoid committing other traffic violations, such as:

• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Driving without insurance
• Expired license or registration
• Failure to stop for a school bus or yield to an emergency vehicle
• Fake registration
• Following too closely
• Hit-and-run
• Littering from a car
• Open container of alcohol
• Parking violation
• Reckless operation

A speeding ticket will raise your car insurance rates in Ohio by an average of 14 percent, but there are ways to mitigate the increase. Shop around for a new provider, raise your deductible, sign up for a telematics program, and ask the DMV about taking a traffic safety course.

Not only will speeding raise your rates, it’s dangerous.Many fatal car crashes in Ohio involve speeding, so stay safe by obeying the posted limits.