How Does a Speeding Ticket Affect Your Auto Insurance in Colorado?
Quick Answer: Does a Speeding Ticket Affect Insurance in Colorado?
Summary: Yes. In Colorado, a speeding ticket will most likely increase your auto insurance premium because it appears on your driving record. Insurance companies review your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) when determining rates, and a violation can affect your premiums for several years. Even if a ticket is reduced to another moving violation, it may still impact your insurance. The only reliable way to prevent a ticket from affecting your insurance is if the charge is dismissed completely and does not appear on your driving record.
NOTE: Every insurance company is just a little bit different. This article has general information. Let me know if you have any questions.
Getting a speeding ticket is the worst! The fine itself isn’t too bad…but the real cost comes from higher auto insurance premiums for several years.
Many drivers don’t realize that even one traffic violation can increase their insurance rates. Understanding how speeding tickets affect your auto insurance can help you make better decisions if you get a ticket.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- How speeding tickets affect auto insurance in Colorado
- How long they stay on your driving record
- Whether reduced tickets still affect insurance
- Tips for avoiding a ticket or getting one dismissed
If you have questions about how a ticket could affect your policy, you can always speak with your insurance agent at Ullrich Insurance Agency. (This is Jared Ullrich writing this article. You can call my cell phone anytime and we can talk about it!)
How Insurance Companies Use Your Driving Record
Auto insurance companies determine premiums based largely on risk. This is how an auto insurance company looks at it: Drivers who receive traffic violations are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, so insurance companies may increase premiums after a ticket appears on your driving record.
When you receive a speeding ticket in Colorado, it usually appears on your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR). Insurance companies periodically review this record when:
- Your policy renews
- You switch insurance companies
- When a new driver is added to your auto insurance policy, your company checks their driving record.
If a violation appears on your record, your insurance company will most likely increase your premium.
How Long a Speeding Ticket Stays on Your Record in Colorado
In Colorado, a speeding ticket can remain on your driving record for up to five years. In the old days, some companies would only look back three years. Now, most companies look back five years.
Ouch, this is the worst part about it. I don’t make the rules, I’m sorry.
How Much Can a Speeding Ticket Increase Insurance?
Every insurance company uses its own rating system, so the increase varies. However, drivers often see insurance premiums increase by 10% to 40% after a speeding violation.
Estimated Insurance Impact of Traffic Violations
| Driving Record | Estimated Insurance Impact |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | Lowest premiums |
| Minor speeding ticket | Small increase |
| Moderate speeding | Moderate increase |
| Major speeding violation | Large increase |
| Multiple violations | Significant increase or possible policy non-renewal |
Drivers with long histories of safe driving usually see smaller increases than drivers who already have accidents or violations. That said, every company and every situation is different.
If an insured would say “Hey Jared, I just got a speeding ticket, how much is my auto insurance premium going to increase when the policy renews?” I would say that it is impossible to know. We won’t find out until the renewal insurance policy is out. It’s not very helpful…but there is just no way to know. Why do they do it this way? I have no idea, but this is how it works.
A Common Misunderstanding: Reduced Tickets
Many drivers believe that if a ticket is reduced, it will not affect their insurance.
Unfortunately, that is often not true.
For example, a speeding ticket may be reduced to something like:
- Failure to obey a traffic control device
- defective vehicle
If the charge is still considered a moving violation, insurance companies will treat it very similarly or in the same was as a speeding ticket when reviewing your driving record.
The only chance that you has is if the police officer lowers it to a “non-moving violation.” Even a “Defective Vehicle” ticket is a moving violation. There are some cases when a “Defective EQUIPMENT” ticket might not be a moving violation.
Ask the police officer to reduce the ticket to a tail light violation or something like that. This is your only hope to not get a rate increase.
Auto insurance companies sell accident and violation forgiveness. Often it is expensive to buy this and it doesn’t make sense to buy it. If you know that you are going to get a ticket or have an at fault accident soon, then that is one thing. But if you are paying for that coverage for many years, you might waste a lot of money on it. Let us know if you are interested in this and we can talk with you about it.
The Only Way to Truly Avoid the Insurance Impact
The only reliable way to prevent a ticket from affecting your insurance is if the violation is dismissed completely and never appears on your driving record.
For example, when I was in college, I once received a ticket for following too closely. I remember thinking it was strange because I didn’t feel like I was very close to the car in front of me.
At the time I had plenty of free time, so I decided to show up in court and contest the ticket.
After hearing the case, the court ended up throwing the ticket out completely.
Because the ticket was dismissed, it never appeared on my record and did not affect my insurance.
Every case is different, but sometimes it can be worth showing up in court.
Tips to Increase the Chances of Getting a Warning
Police officers often have discretion when deciding whether to issue a warning or a ticket. While there are no guarantees, these tips may help.
Be polite and respectful
Remain calm and respectful when speaking with the officer.
Have your documents ready
Keep your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance easily accessible.
Avoid arguing
Arguing rarely improves the situation and may reduce your chances of receiving a warning.
Make the stop easy and safe
Keep your hands visible and follow the officer’s instructions.
Sometimes officers choose to give cooperative drivers a warning instead of a citation.
Tips for Fighting a Traffic Ticket in Court
If you believe a ticket was issued unfairly, you have the right to contest it in court.
Here are some tips that may help:
Show up to court
Many people simply pay the ticket. Showing up gives you the opportunity to present your case.
Dress professionally
Treat the hearing seriously and show respect for the court.
Prepare your explanation
Think through your explanation in advance and focus on facts.
Be respectful
Judges respond better to calm, respectful drivers than emotional arguments.
Even if the ticket is not dismissed entirely, sometimes the court may reduce the penalties or charges.
The Best Strategy: Avoid the Ticket in the First Place
The best way to prevent insurance increases is simply not getting a ticket.
The challenge is that speeding often happens unintentionally. It’s easy to exceed the speed limit when you are distracted or not paying close attention.
If you have teenage drivers in your household, setting clear expectations can help prevent tickets and accidents.
We recommend using a written agreement like our Teen / Parent Driving Contract to help families establish safe driving habits and clear rules for young drivers.
Teen drivers are statistically more likely to receive tickets, and even one violation can significantly increase insurance premiums.
If you have a young driver in your house, you definitely need to check out our Teen/Parent Driving Contract!
Frequently Asked Questions About Speeding Tickets and Insurance in Colorado
Do speeding tickets increase insurance in Colorado?
Yes. Most speeding tickets will increase auto insurance premiums because they appear on your driving record and signal higher risk to insurance companies.
How long does a speeding ticket affect insurance in Colorado?
A speeding ticket may affect insurance premiums for several years. In Colorado, tickets can remain on your driving record for about five years.
Will a reduced ticket still affect insurance?
Often, yes. If the reduced charge is still classified as a moving violation, insurance companies may treat it similarly to a speeding ticket.
Can a dismissed ticket affect insurance?
No. If the ticket is completely dismissed and does not appear on your driving record, it usually will not affect your insurance.
Who should I talk to about my insurance after a ticket?
If you have questions about how a speeding ticket could affect your policy, you can speak with your insurance agent at Ullrich Insurance Agency to review your coverage and options.
If you are not an insured of ours right now, we would love to help you! We represent many insurance companies. We will go to all of them to find your best option. You can start by calling our office or filling out this form: https://www.ullrichinsurance.com/full-insurance-review/
Jared Ullrich
Jared Ullrich is the owner of Ullrich Insurance, along with his dad, Tom. Jared loves what he does and strives to make the most out of life every day. He has the best clients, the best team (team members at Ullrich Insurance), the best business partner, and he loves insurance. Jared has a wonderful wife and six kids. When he’s not helping Colorado families find the right insurance coverage, Jared is obsessed with doing cold plunges, spending time with the family, and going to the beach anytime he gets the chance.