{"id":2299,"date":"2023-12-14T02:12:05","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T08:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/going-places.thegeneral.com\/do-speeding-parking-tickets-affect-your-car-insurance-rates\/"},"modified":"2025-08-27T10:03:58","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T15:03:58","slug":"do-speeding-parking-tickets-affect-your-car-insurance-rates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thegeneral.com\/going-places\/blog\/car-insurance\/do-speeding-parking-tickets-affect-your-car-insurance-rates\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Speeding Tickets & Parking Tickets Affect Car Insurance?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you see those flashing lights in your rearview mirror, a pit probably forms in your stomach as you glance at your speedometer. You know that the police officer behind will probably write you a speeding ticket, and you\u2019re wondering if and how that speeding ticket will affect your car insurance rates. Similarly, if you see a parking ticket left on your car, you\u2019re probably asking yourself the same question. When it comes to the subject of tickets and car insurance, there isn\u2019t a straightforward answer. Learn how speeding and parking tickets affect your insurance and how to keep things affordable<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How does a speeding ticket affect your insurance? How much more you\u2019ll have to pay generally relates to how fast you were going and how much over the speed limit you were driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Much Does Insurance Go Up After a Speeding Ticket?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every insurance company has its own regulations, but generally, you can expect a\u00a010 to 20% rise in premiums if you were traveling 10 to 20 miles per hour over the limit. If you were going 30 mph or more over the limit, your rates could skyrocket by as much as 40%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Parking Tickets Affect Insurance?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the eyes of your insurer, a parking ticket isn\u2019t as serious as a speeding ticket. Just one parking ticket probably won\u2019t affect your insurance rate. However, if you rack up a string of parking tickets, that could be a different story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fighting a Parking Ticket<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most drivers are not deliberately parking illegally. Parking signs can be confusing! Plus, rules and regulations governing parking hours can change. That said, drivers who park in a clearly marked no-parking zone or who otherwise are in the wrong should just pay the ticket as soon as possible. However, if you did not park illegally or the matter is questionable, you may want to consider filing an appeal right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By contesting the ticket, you should receive a date to appear in traffic court. The police officer issuing the ticket must also appear. After making your case and presenting as much evidence as possible, a judge will determine whether the parking ticket is warranted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happens If You Don\u2019t Pay a Parking Ticket?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What you really do not want to do is just ignore a parking ticket. Collection agencies may be notified about your unpaid debt, and that can affect your credit score. Insurance companies usually look at credit scores when determining insurance rates<\/a>, so if your credit score takes a hit, you could end up with a higher premium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, your state\u2019s Department of Motor Vehicles may not renew your registration or your license if you have outstanding parking tickets. Fail to pay the fine, and you could end up driving illegally due to a license suspension. If you are stopped or get involved in an accident, you could face arrest for unlicensed driving, and your car insurance may not cover you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public vs. Private Parking Citations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that only parking tickets issued by law enforcement affect your driving record<\/a>. Some private entities, such as shopping malls, may issue parking tickets for infractions, but these do not end up on your driving record. That does not mean you should ignore private parking violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private owners can do more than just prevent you from parking on their property in the future. If the private ticket is not paid, the bill is likely sent to a collection agency, again impacting your credit score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bigger issue is that private owners can have a vehicle towed from the lot or may have the car booted. The latter involves attaching a device to a car\u2019s wheel so that the car cannot move. Resolving either issue can cost a lot of money, which is why it\u2019s easiest to pay for your private tickets promptly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multiple Parking Violations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Drivers who accumulate multiple parking tickets, usually 10 or more, may find their licenses suspended in some states. Even if it\u2019s only temporary, this suspension isn\u2019t looked upon favorably by insurance companies. A license suspension means you may expect your rates to climb considerably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, occasional parking tickets typically won\u2019t cost a driver points on their license. License suspension usually only occurs in the most extreme cases, but this can vary by state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoiding a Speeding Ticket on Your Record<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are some ways to avoid having a speeding ticket on your record as well. In some states, if a speeding ticket is your first offense, you may be able to avoid a ticket by taking a defensive driving class<\/a>. Drivers are generally only given one opportunity to have a ticket dismissed in this way. Here are some additional ways to avoid getting a speeding ticket on your record:<\/p>\n\n\n\n