A lead foot in New Mexico can land you more than just a speeding ticket. It can also lead to a significant increase in your car insurance. In this article, Cheap Insurance will explore how speeding tickets can affect your car insurance in New Mexico.
Key Takeaways:
- Speeding tickets in New Mexico will likely increase your car insurance.
- The severity of the speeding violation (how much you were over the limit) has different levels of car insurance increases.
- Not all speeding tickets are treated equally – school zone or reckless driving violations carry the heaviest penalties.
- Speeding tickets stay on your record for 3 years, but your auto insurance might lessen after a clean driving period.
- Minimize the damage by contesting the ticket, taking a defensive driving course, and shop for new car insurance quotes.
Will a Speeding Ticket Really Raise New Mexico Car Insurance?
Carriers for auto insurance in New Mexico view speeding tickets as a sign of riskier driving behavior. Statistics show that drivers who speed, are more likely to be involved in accidents, which translates into higher costs for auto insurance. As a result, a speeding ticket on your record will not get you inexpensive auto insurance quotes.
By How Much Would a Speeding Ticket Increase Auto Insurance in New Mexico?
The exact amount a speeding ticket will raise your rates depends on several factors, including:
The severity of the speeding violation: Generally, the faster you were going over the speed limit, the higher the cost of insurance.
Your driving history: If you have a clean driving record, a single speeding ticket might not cause a big jump. However, if you have multiple violations, the increase will be more significant.
The insurance carrier: Different carriers have different risk assessment models. Some carriers might weigh speeding tickets more heavily when they calculate an auto insurance quote in New Mexico.
How Does the Clocked Speed Affect Car Insurance in New Mexico?
As mentioned above, the severity of the speeding violation directly impacts your vehicle insurance quote. Here’s a closer look.
Minor speeding (1-10 mph over): This might be considered a minor infraction and might result in a smaller insurance rate increase, especially for drivers with a clean record.
Moderate speeding (11-29 mph over): This is a more serious violation and will likely lead to a more substantial increase on auto insurance.
Excessive speeding (30 mph or more over): This is considered a major violation and could significantly raise your rates. In some cases, it might even trigger an SR22 filing or non-renewal from your current insurance carrier.
Are All Speeding Tickets Treated the Same by New Mexico Car Insurance Carriers?
Not all speeding tickets are created equal. Here’s how different types of speeding violations can affect your insurance.
- Basic speeding ticket: This is the most common type and will raise your rates based on severity.
- School zone speeding: Speeding in a school zone is a much more serious offense and will likely result in a steeper increase automobile insurance.
- Construction zone speeding: Similar to school zones, speeding in a construction zone carries a higher penalty and could significantly affect the cost of car insurance.
- Reckless driving: This includes speeding excessively or in a way that endangers others. A reckless driving conviction will be severe on the cost of auto insurance, leading to an SR22 filing or even non-renewal.
How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on a Driving Record and Impact New Mexico Car Insurance Quotes?
In New Mexico, speeding tickets typically stay on your driving record for three years. However, the impact on your car insurance might lessen over time. Some carriers might consider the violation less heavily after a certain period (usually two years) with a clean driving record.
What You Can Do
While a speeding ticket can raise your rates, it’s not the end of the world. Here are some steps you can take to minimize the damage:
Fight the ticket in court: If you believe the ticket was issued unfairly, consider contesting it in court. Winning your case will keep the violation off your record and help you keep affordable car insurance.
Defensive driving course: Many insurance carriers offer discounts to drivers who complete defensive driving courses. Taking such a course could help with securing inexpensive car insurance.
A speeding ticket can be a costly inconvenience, impacting not only the cost of the ticket at the time of the citation but also raising your auto insurance for several years. Understanding how speeding tickets affect your New Mexico auto insurance and the factors influencing the severity of the speeding ticket, allows you to make informed decisions. Prioritizing safe driving habits is the most effective way to get low cost car insurance and, more importantly, ensure the safety of yourself and others on the road.
