How a Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance in North Carolina

A speeding ticket in North Carolina can cost as little as $10 to $50 in fines for minor violations — or $250 if you’re caught speeding in a school or work zone. But the real price often shows up later, when your car insurance renews. After just one speeding ticket, North Carolina drivers pay nearly $1,000 more per year on average for full coverage. So, while the ticket itself might feel like a slap on the wrist, the insurance hike can sting for years to come.

How much does insurance go up after a speeding ticket in North Carolina?

On average, car insurance premiums in North Carolina jump by 49 percent after a single speeding ticket. Which translates to an extra $80 per month tacked onto your premium. Some companies in NC may raise rates even more — drivers insured with Geico, for example, see an average increase of $121 per month after one ticket, while those with State Farm get a comparatively smaller bump of $47 per month.

It’s worth noting that your rate likely won’t increase the moment you get the ticket. Most insurers won’t adjust your premium until your policy renews when they review your driving record. Even then, how much your premium increases depends on more than just the ticket — things like your age, how long you’ve been driving and your overall claims history also factor into the equation.

How speeding tickets impacted insurance for real drivers in North Carolina

Even a first speeding ticket in North Carolina can come with lasting financial consequences — but some local drivers have found ways to reduce or even avoid an insurance rate hike.

One North Carolinian shared their experience on Reddit after getting pulled over for going 65 in a 50 mph zone: “Insurance is going to spike but this is my first ever ticket so I’m not sure what to do.”

The advice from other drivers? Don’t just pay the fine and move on.

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

While every case is different, these firsthand stories show that a little strategy — and some professional help — can go a long way toward protecting your driving record and your insurance rate.

How long does a speeding ticket stay on insurance in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, a speeding ticket typically stays on your driving record for three years from the conviction date — but its impact on your insurance rates can linger even longer. Most insurers apply a surcharge for three to five years after a violation, depending on their individual underwriting guidelines.

That said, the hit to your premium usually lessens over time — especially if you avoid any new violations. But don’t be surprised if your base rate still inches up at renewal for other reasons. That’s why it’s smart to shop around periodically while you wait for the ticket to age off your record. You might find a better rate, even with that ticket still showing.

How to avoid an insurance increase after a speeding ticket in North Carolina?

While most drivers will see their car insurance rates climb after a speeding ticket in North Carolina, there are still a few ways to cushion the blow. In some cases, you may be able to prevent the ticket from showing up on your driving record altogether. But even if it sticks, shopping around and focusing on safe driving can help you lower your premium moving forward.

Try to keep the speeding ticket off your driving record

If this is your first ticket, there’s a chance you can minimize or even avoid the long-term financial hit — but you’ll need to act fast. Some counties in North Carolina allow drivers to request that the violation be reduced or dismissed entirely, especially for minor infractions. That could keep the ticket off your record and your insurance premium intact.

Here are a few options worth exploring:

• Hire a traffic attorney: Many drivers report success getting charges reduced by using a lawyer, often to a non-moving violation like improper equipment.
• Request a court date change: Rescheduling your court date may increase the chance the ticketing officer won’t appear, which could result in dismissal.
• Plead for leniency: If you have a clean driving record, showing remorse and asking for a reduction can sometimes result in a lesser charge.
• Look into traffic school: In some situations, completing a defensive driving course could help reduce points or avoid conviction.
• Ask the clerk of court: In some counties, you may be able to negotiate a reduction by phone or online without appearing in court.

Keep in mind that rules vary by county, so it’s a good idea to research local policies or consult with a local attorney.

Shop around for competitive rates after a ticket

If the ticket makes it onto your record, your current insurer may hike your premium — but another company might not penalize you as severely. Car insurance companies weigh driving history differently, so comparing quotes could help you find a much better deal.

In North Carolina, the potential savings can be significant. Based on our data, a driver with a single speeding ticket could save as much as $3,735 per year by switching from one of the most expensive carriers (e.g., Allstate at $5,487) to a cheaper one (e.g., State Farm at $1,752). Further backing the case that shopping around could help you save drastically.

Even if your record isn’t spotless, insurers competing for your business could still offer lower rates, better coverage or extra discounts — all worth exploring after a ticket.

Drive defensively to avoid future speeding tickets

Once a ticket hits your record, the best thing you can do is avoid a second one. Keeping a clean driving history moving forward is one of the few ways to let time work in your favor — many insurers gradually reduce or remove the surcharge after three to five years of violation-free driving.

You can also take proactive steps to show you’re a safe driver:

• Enroll in a telematics program to track and reward good driving habits
• Consider a defensive driving course to improve skills and qualify for additional discounts
• Use your vehicle’s speed assistance system (ISA) if available — it can help keep your speed in check without much thought

The longer you can maintain a spotless record after a ticket, the more likely you are to see your premiums drop back down.

Frequently asked questions

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

  There isn’t a single best insurance company for everyone with a speeding ticket — it really depends on your unique situation. Things like your age, location, driving history and even the type of car you drive can impact which provider gives you the best rate. That said, shopping around is key. Some companies may be more forgiving of a speeding ticket than others, so comparing quotes is the best way to find a good match.

• How many tickets can you get before it affects insurance?
  

  Technically, even a single ticket can impact your insurance premium — especially if it’s a recent one. But the more violations you rack up, the greater the chance of being labeled a high-risk driver, which often leads to steeper rate hikes. Multiple tickets could also put your license at risk in North Carolina due to the state’s driver point system.

• Is it worth fighting a speeding ticket in NC?
  

  In many cases, yes — especially if it’s your first offense. Fighting a ticket in North Carolina could help you reduce the charge to a non-moving violation, which may keep points off your driving record and prevent your insurance from going up. Many drivers hire a local traffic attorney to handle the process, and while there’s an upfront cost, it might save you hundreds over time by protecting your premium. Just keep in mind that outcomes can vary by county and judge, so results aren’t guaranteed.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze April 2025 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 2023 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. Bundling and paperless billing discounts are applied. 

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.

If otherwise specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics: 

• Credit-based insurance scores: 
  

  Rates were calculated based on the following insurance credit tiers assigned to our drivers: “poor, average, good (base) and excellent.” Insurance credit tiers factor in your official credit scores but are not dependent on that variable alone. Four states prohibit or limit the use of credit as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.

• Incidents:
  

  Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.

• Mileage:
  

  Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following differences in mileage: 2K, 5K, 12K (base), 15K and 20K.

• Model:
  

  Unless otherwise stated, rates are for 2023 vehicle models. For new vs used vehicles, we included the following year in our calculations: 2013.

• Age:
  

  Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-70 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations. For teen drivers, rates were determined by adding a 16- or 17-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents’ policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy.

• Gender:
  

  The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.

• Status:
  

  Rates were evaluated based on the following marital/family status: single (base), married, 40-year-old married man and woman. Marital status is not a rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts.