How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Pennsylvania

A speeding ticket can happen to anyone, even if they are generally a safe and careful driver. Knowing the outcomes of a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania can be important for drivers in the Keystone State. Although a single ticket may or may not impact your insurance rates, multiple driving infractions are likely to increase your policy premium, along with civil fines and other possible penalties. Bankrate created this guide to help PA drivers understand the outcomes they may face after a speeding ticket to help them save money potentially.

How much is a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania?

The amount you pay for your Pennsylvania speeding ticket will vary depending on how fast you were going. There are several fines you will accrue, including the following:

• The basic fine: $45 to $102.50, based on your speed 
• Additional fees: $75 to $300, depending on your past offenses 
• Court costs: $10 
• Additional surcharges: $45-$75, based on your speed
• Fines are doubled in school and work zones

In addition, you are likely to see an increase in your insurance premium. As of November 2024, the average cost of coverage in PA for a driver with a clean record is $2,455 for full coverage and $537 for state-mandated minimum coverage. This is closely aligned to the national averages of $2,458 and $678. Following a speeding ticket, average rates in PA are $2,765 and $611, increases of 13 and 14 percent, respectively.

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This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

Insurance disclosure

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.

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This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

Insurance disclosure

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.

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This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

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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 Pennsylvania drivers with a speeding ticket

Earning a speeding ticket in PA may be a good excuse to look for a new insurer, especially if your rate increases considerably. Every insurance company uses a slightly different method for determining your rate, so another company may offer you a lower rate than you currently pay. 

Bankrate’s research discovered a handful of companies that generally offer the cheapest insurance in Pennsylvania for those with a speeding ticket:

What to do after a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania

You can take several courses of action after earning a speeding ticket in the Keystone State. You may be able to save money on your PA car insurance by implementing some of the following:

Fight the ticket

Do you believe you were given the ticket in error, or were there extenuating circumstances that a judge should review? You may choose to go to court to fight the ticket if so. To support your case, review the ticket for accuracy and gather any other evidence, such as dashcam footage or photos of obscured mileage signage. Consider seeking legal advice if the ticket will lead to serious consequences, and be polite and respectful when you are in court.

Pay the fine

In many cases, the easiest way to handle a ticket is to pay the fine and resolve to drive more carefully in the future. This may eliminate any need to go to court and could be handled simply by mailing a check or credit card payment. In Pennsylvania, you may also pay online at the website for the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. 

Attend a defensive driving course

State-approved defensive driving courses are available both in-person and online for Pennsylvania drivers. They are generally inexpensive and only take a few hours to complete. The benefits are many: you may earn a discount on your insurance and may avoid having points added to your license. Brushing up on your driving skills is also a good way to avoid future tickets and accidents.

Shop around for coverage

As we noted above, every insurer is likely to give you a different rate following your ticket, and you may save a significant amount by asking a handful of likely insurers for quotes. Asking for quotes is simple and free and can generally be done with no obligation at major insurers’ websites. Be sure you are asking each one for the same levels and types of coverage so you can do a direct comparison.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the best car insurance company for drivers with speeding tickets?

  Although no single company is always the best option for all drivers, any of the companies we mentioned above may be a good pick for you if you have a speeding ticket conviction on your license. Keep in mind that your rate is influenced by multiple factors other than your driving record, such as your age, location and gender. To find the most affordable rate, consider requesting quotes from a handful of companies to see who offers you the cheapest car insurance rate. If you have multiple tickets or other moving violations, insurers may consider you a high-risk driver, making it harder to find coverage. However, if one carrier turns you down for coverage, don’t assume that all will since every company uses different criteria for determining rates.

   

• What is the cheapest car insurance company?

  Finding the cheapest company for your needs isn’t difficult. One good strategy is to begin by looking at a range of insurers known for writing affordable coverage. Ask for quotes from several of these companies, though be sure to ask for the same type and level of coverage from each to do an apples-to-apples comparison. Although many carriers allow you to receive quotes online, it may be worth talking to a live agent so that you can ask questions and make sure your quote includes all possible discounts for which you are eligible. Once you have several quotes, it’s easy to see which company can offer you the lowest possible rate.

• Is it hard to find insurance with a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania?

  A single ticket shouldn’t make it difficult to find affordable coverage in Pennsylvania. Keep in mind, however, that your rate may be higher than it would be if you had a clean driving record. However, multiple tickets or other moving violations may create challenges when seeking coverage. If you have serious infractions, such as a DUI, insurers may place you in the high-risk driver category, which can make it more difficult to find cheap Pennsylvania car insurance.

• How long will a speeding ticket stay on my record?

  When you are convicted of speeding in Pennsylvania, you will likely receive points on your license, with the number varying depending on how fast you were driving and your previous infractions. Three points will be removed if you drive without infractions for the 12 months following the ticket. Taking a defensive driving course may remove four points. For every consecutive 12-month period, three more points will be removed. If you maintain a good record following your ticket, your record should clear within a few years or less.

• How can I lower my car insurance after a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania?

  Perhaps the best way to lower your rate is to shop around. When you are researching likely companies, pay attention to the number and types of discounts they offer. Almost all insurers offer at least a few potential discounts, some of which are easy to earn. You may, for example, be able to save a percentage off your premium by agreeing to pay your bill online rather than through postal mail. Common safety devices in vehicles, such as burglar alarms or airbags, could also earn you a small discount. Most insurers list available discounts on their website, so review these to see how you can save by taking advantage of them.

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 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: clean record (base) and single speeding ticket.