How a Speeding Ticket Can Affect Oregon Car Insurance

Busted for Speeding in Oregon: Will Car Insurance Go Up in Price?

In most cases, a speeding ticket in Oregon will lead to an increase in your car insurance rate. Insurance companies view speeding tickets as a sign of riskier driving behavior, which translates to a higher likelihood of accidents. This increased risk translates to higher vehicle insurance premiums.

How Much More Will I Pay for Car Insurance After a Speeding Ticket in Oregon?

The exact amount your car insurance will increase depends on several factors, including:

Severity of the Speeding Ticket: A minor speeding ticket (1-10 mph over the limit) typically leads to a smaller increase compared to a more serious violation (exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph or more).
Your Driving History: A clean driving record before the speeding ticket will likely result in a smaller insurance increase compared to someone with multiple violations.
Your Insurance Company: Different car insurance companies have varying risk assessment models, so the impact might differ slightly between providers.

Here’s a breakdown of the average increase you can expect based on the severity of the speeding ticket in Oregon according to:

• 1-10 mph over: Increase of approximately 28%
• 11-29 mph over: Increase of approximately 36%
• 30+ mph over: Increase of approximately 44%

Example: Let’s say you pay $1,846 per year for full coverage car insurance in Oregon with a clean driving record. A speeding ticket for exceeding the limit by 1-10 mph could result in an increase of roughly $516 per year, bringing the car insurance cost to $2,362.

Does the Severity of the Speeding Ticket Affect Oregon Car Insurance Rates?

As mentioned earlier, the severity of your speeding ticket plays a significant role in how much your auto insurance rate increases. Here’s a closer look:

• Minor Speeding Ticket (1-10 mph over): This violation typically has the least impact on auto insurance, with an average increase of around 28%. However, it’s still a significant jump and should be a wake-up call to practice safe driving habits.
• Moderate Speeding Ticket (11-29 mph over): This violation indicates a more blatant disregard for the speed limit and can lead to a steeper increase in insurance rates, averaging around 36%.
• Serious Speeding Ticket (30+ mph over): Exceeding the speed limit by a significant margin is considered a major violation and will likely result in the highest increase, with an average jump of approximately 44%. Additionally, a speeding ticket of this nature might come with harsher penalties, like points on your license and even potential license suspension and an SR22 filing.

Can I Fight a Speeding Ticket to Avoid Higher Insurance Rates?

If you believe a speeding ticket was issued unfairly, contesting it might be an option. Here’s what you can do:

Review the Ticket: Carefully examine the details of the ticket. Look for any discrepancies, such as an incorrect speed or location.
Consult an Attorney: An attorney specializing in traffic violations can advise you on the best course of action based on the specifics of your case.
Consider Traffic School: Some states, including Oregon, offer traffic school programs that can help you reduce points on your license and potentially lessen the price increase on car insurance.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on My Record and Impact My Oregon Car Insurance?

The good news is that speeding tickets don’t stay on your driving record forever in Oregon. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation’s 2022 Guide to Oregon Driving Records & Standard Conviction Abbreviation Manual, a speeding ticket will remain on your certified court print driving record for five years. This means insurance companies will have access to this information when running a car insurance quote during that period.

Here’s a breakdown of the timeline

• Year 1-5: The speeding ticket will appear on your driving record, potentially leading to increased insurance premiums.
• After Year 5: The speeding ticket will be automatically be removed from your driving record. However, some insurance companies might maintain internal records for a longer period, so it might linger for a few additional years.

Here are some additional points to consider

• Multiple Tickets: If you have multiple speeding tickets within a short timeframe, the auto insurance rate will likely be more severe and might take longer to disappear from your record entirely.
• Accidents: If your speeding ticket resulted in an accident, your car insurance will be even higher.

Tips on Minimizing the Impact of a Speeding Ticket For Oregon Car Insurance

While a speeding ticket can increase your insurance rates, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage:

• Shop Around and Compare Inexpensive Auto Insurance Quotes: Don’t automatically renew your policy with your current insurer. Get cheap car insurance quotes from other companies to see if you can find a more competitive rate, especially after the speeding ticket falls off your driving record.
• Maintain a Clean Driving Record: Avoiding further violations after the speeding ticket will demonstrate a commitment to safe driving and could lead to affordable car insurance.
• Ask About Safe Driver Discounts: Many insurance companies offer auto insurance discounts for completing defensive driving courses or installing telematics devices that monitor your driving behavior.

Speeding tickets can be a costly mistake, not just because of the initial fine, but also due to their potential impact on your auto insurance rates in Oregon. However, by understanding how speeding tickets affect insurance and taking proactive steps, you can minimize the damage and get back on track and qualify for cheap car insurance.