How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Colorado
If you have one or more speeding tickets on your driving record in Colorado, you know the state takes this infraction seriously. So does your insurer. Bankrate’s research, based on data from Quadrant Information Services, indicates that the average rate of car insurance following a speeding ticket is 21 percent higher than for drivers with a clean record. If you have more than one infraction, your rate may be even higher. To help drivers understand how much a speeding ticket is in Colorado and what they can do to keep costs down as much as possible, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team reviewed Colorado insurance regulations so you can make the best decision for your own policy.
How much is a speeding ticket in Colorado?
Colorado law is clear on the penalties for speeding in the Centennial State, but civic fines are only one factor to consider. Bankrate’s research shows that the average rate of full coverage car insurance after a speeding ticket in Colorado increases to $3,397.
The average rate of the same policy for a driver with a clean record in the state is $2,796 — so the impact on your car insurance premium rate based on this data could be roughly $600. Note that Colorado’s rate is higher than the national average, which works out to $2,311 annually.
Other penalties include the following fines, as determined by the Colorado General Assembly:
- 1-4 mph over the limit: $30 plus $6 surcharge
- 5-9 mph over the limit: $70 plus $10 surcharge
- 10-19 mph over the limit: $135 plus $16 surcharge
- 20-24 mph over the limit: $200 plus $32 surcharge
- 25+ mph over the limit: $150-300 plus possible jail time
- Driving slow enough to impede traffic: $50 plus $6 surcharge
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Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
The cheapest car insurance for Colorado drivers with a speeding ticket
Although there is no single company that is always the cheapest option all the time, there are a handful of companies known for offering affordable insurance coverage in Colorado. You may also want to consider the number of discounts you are eligible for when choosing your insurer; these can have a major impact on your premium rate, and many are easy to qualify for.
| Company | Avg. full coverage rate before speeding ticket | Avg. full coverage rate after speeding ticket | % diff. after speeding ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| American National | $1,263 | $1,409 | 12% |
| Southern Farm Bureau Casualty | $1,463 | $1,655 | 13% |
| Geico | $1,615 | $1,953 | 21% |
| USAA | $1,828 | $2,282 | 25% |
| Auto-Owners | $2,145 | $2,407 | 12% |
What to do after a speeding ticket in Colorado
Earning a speeding ticket is never good news, but it is possible to mitigate the damage and keep your expenses low afterward. Consider the following steps, which can help lower your rate and avoid future tickets.
Fight the ticket
If you feel you were given the ticket in error or there were other circumstances involved, you may decide to contest the ticket in court. You will need to collect any evidence you have to show why you are not guilty, and could, if you wish, hire an attorney to go to court with you. They may be able to find a technicality — such as incorrect information on the ticket — or the officer may not appear, and your case could be dismissed.
Ask for quotes from other companies
There are many factors that auto insurance companies consider when determining rates for policies. Comparing quotes from several carriers is one way to potentially find a company that can offer you a more competitive rate based on your driving history. Consider gathering quotes from several companies to see if you can earn a cheaper rate from another company.
Take a defensive driving course
You may have the option of signing up for a defensive driving course following your ticket. This will not remove points from your license, but may make you eligible for a discount, depending on your insurer. It could also help you develop better driving skills to make it less likely that you will earn another speeding ticket in the future. Having a clean driving record moving forward may be the best way to reduce your premium rate over time.
Frequently asked questions
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There is no single company that is always the best insurer for all drivers, all the time. Rates can vary greatly based on factors such as your age (in most states), credit rating and driving history, as well as your car’s age, make and model. Each company weighs these data points differently based on its own proprietary pricing algorithm, so you’re likely to get a range of quotes if you inquire about pricing with several companies. This is why insurance experts often recommend that you shop around and compare quotes from a number of insurers known for writing good policies before choosing the company that offers the best deal for you. Drivers with imperfect records may benefit from looking at companies that specialize in writing high-risk insurance policies, too.
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Not necessarily. Insurers know that many drivers earn a speeding ticket once in a while, so a single ticket should not keep you from finding coverage, even though it is likely to mean you will pay more than a driver with a clean record. If you have multiple infractions on your driving record, however, it may be challenging to find affordable coverage. Serious infractions, such as a DUI or multiple speeding tickets, could lead insurers to place you in the high-risk driver category. Some insurers will not write policies for individuals in this category, so you may need to shop around to find someone who will.
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A speeding ticket in Colorado will stay on the record kept by the DMV for seven years. If you are facing a license suspension for multiple infractions, though, the DMV will only look at points accrued over the preceding two years. Your insurer, however, is likely to have its own policies on how long it will consider your speeding ticket when determining your rate. Many insurers look at records for three to five years, after which they may lower your rate if you have kept a clean driving record in the meantime.
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A good place to start your search for affordable coverage is with Bankrate’s list of cheapest car insurance companies. These companies all have a reputation for writing low-cost insurance policies, and may be able to do the same for you. When you are shopping around, it’s also a good idea to pay attention to discounts, which can significantly lower your rate. One potential discount is for taking a defensive driving course. Many insurers offer this opportunity, and the course can also help you improve your driving skills.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze April 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 single, 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 incidents applied: single speeding ticket.
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