How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Alabama
Drivers in the Heart of Dixie know that the state takes moving violations seriously, and the cost of a speeding ticket in Alabama could be significant, including both civic fines and the potential for a higher car insurance rate. So how much is a speeding ticket in Alabama? Our research into Alabama insurance laws and local average car insurance rates might help you understand the price you will pay if you receive a speeding ticket in the state. Some of our strategies might also help you save money on your policy, even if you do have a ticket or two on your record.
How much is a speeding ticket in Alabama?
Speeding ticket costs in Alabama can vary, depending on your location as well as how fast you were driving. Alabama car insurance laws allow municipal areas to set rates for speeding tickets, and these are generally between $150-$300. Mobile County, for example, assesses the following fees for speeding tickets:
- Less than 25 mph over the limit: $189
- 25-90 mph over the limit: $209
- 90-94 mph over the limit: $234
- 95-100 mph over the limit: $269
- Speeding in a construction zone: $209-$249
It is likely that you’ll also see an increase in your car insurance rates after a ticket. Based on Bankrate’s research into rates sourced from Quadrant Information Services, the average cost of full coverage car insurance, which includes both collision and comprehensive coverage, increases from $2,056 annually to $2,459 after a ticket, a 20 percent increase. Minimum coverage, meanwhile, increases from $556 a year to $655, an increase of 18 percent.
The cheapest car insurance for Alabama drivers with a speeding ticket
If your speeding ticket causes your Alabama car insurance rate to skyrocket, you may want to consider switching to another company. It’s very possible you could find a cheaper rate from another insurer, and gathering quotes from carriers known for writing cheap coverage in Alabama might pay off in savings on your premium. Consider starting your search with the following companies:
Company | Full coverage rate in AL before speeding ticket | Full coverage rate in AL after speeding ticket | % increase after speeding ticket |
---|---|---|---|
Travelers | $1,340 | $1,755 | 31% |
Allstate | $1,654 | $1,765 | 7% |
Geico | $1,607 | $2,032 | 26% |
Progressive | $1,952 | $2,512 | 29% |
USAA | $1,785 | $2,112 | 18% |
*All rates displayed are average annual full coverage rates. |
What to do after a speeding ticket in Alabama
A speeding ticket can happen to anyone, even a careful driver. Knowing what to do afterwards can help you make the best of the situation and keep your financial losses to a minimum. Consider these possible strategies to help you manage your ticket and possibly save money.
Fight the ticket
If you feel the ticket was given unfairly, or if there were circumstances that should be reviewed by a judge that may mitigate your penalties, you can choose to appeal the ticket in court. To do this, carefully review the ticket to ensure that it was properly filled out, and gather any evidence you may have, such as dashcam videos or photos of obscured signage. Alternatively, you can also consider hiring an attorney to help you fight the ticket in court.
Take a defensive driving course
State-approved defensive driving courses might help minimize the damage caused by a speeding ticket. You may be able to have a ticket dismissed in some areas by successfully completing a course, and earning the course certificate may also make you eligible for a discount on your insurance premium with some carriers. Many courses can be taken online in only a few hours, and they are generally low-cost and easy to access.
Shop around for coverage
If you’ve gotten a speeding ticket, it may be a good time to shop for a new carrier, especially if your rate increases after your conviction. Quotes are generally easy to obtain and are often accessible just by answering a few questions on a carrier’s website. When asking for quotes, make sure that they include all the discounts for which you are eligible, since these can save you a significant amount of money and are also often easy to earn. You might save money, for example, just by paying your premium online.
Pay the fine
Often, paying the fine is the simplest way to handle a ticket. In Alabama, you can pay in person, over the phone with a credit card, by mail or online, in many counties, at the Alabama Traffic Service Center portal. Paying your fine should resolve the ticket and means you won’t need to go to court to contest it. Keep in mind, however, that paying your ticket without going to court is essentially admitting responsibility, which means the ticket will be on your record.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze November 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 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 incident applied: clean record (base) and single speeding ticket.