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The Impact of a Speeding Ticket on Your Insurance in Louisiana


Photo by Mauro Sbicego on Unsplash

Speeding can be expensive, not just through a ticket but also with increased insurance costs. A speeding ticket labels you as a high-risk driver, prompting insurers to raise your premiums to cover potential losses. In Louisiana, speeding tickets significantly affect car insurance rates, whether you're on Bourbon Street or admiring Natchitoches' French Creole townhouses.

Speeding Ticket Consequences

Being caught speeding with a Commercial Driver’s License in Baton Rouge can result in harsher consequences than for regular drivers. Even small moving infractions could result in CDL suspension, increased insurance costs, and fines on top of the speeding ticket penalties. Seeking assistance from a Baton Rouge CDL ticket attorney is crucial to comprehend the potential outcomes of your violation, negotiate for reduced charges, or possibly have the ticket dropped.

CDL holders face stricter regulations, where even minor speed violations can have serious repercussions. This pertains to speeding violations in personal vehicles with CDL credentials as well. If accused of speeding as a commercial driver in Louisiana, a CDL lawyer can safeguard your clean driving history and your profession, ensuring your continued ability to work as a commercial driver.

Speeding Ticket Impact on Louisiana Insurance

A speeding ticket in Louisiana can impact your insurance. When drivers receive speeding tickets for surpassing speed limits in Baton Rouge, the violation is logged on their driving history. Insurance providers check policyholders' driving records. They evaluate risk and traffic infractions such as speeding. This may result in increased auto insurance costs due to higher coverage risks.

Car insurance rates can increase depending on the seriousness of the speeding offense, your history of multiple tickets, and the insurer. Seeking advice from a speeding ticket attorney in Louisiana is vital to safeguard your driving history and effectively manage car insurance premiums if you have multiple speeding tickets and a previous record.

Impact of a Single Speeding Ticket on Premiums

Even for a first offense, receiving a speeding ticket might lead to a 15% to 20% increase in your auto insurance premiums, depending on the situation. If you do not have any prior speeding tickets or other traffic violations and have maintained a clean driving record, it is crucial to attempt dismissing your initial speeding ticket, particularly for younger drivers. 

This action can maintain your clean record and reduce auto insurance costs. Engaging a Baton Rouge attorney specializing in moving violations can aid in getting your ticket dismissed, ensuring a clear driving record and long-term savings.

First-Time Speeding Ticket

Receiving a first-time speeding ticket in Louisiana impacts your car insurance rates. The extent of the increase will vary depending on your insurance provider. Generally, most insurers will hike your premium after a first-time traffic offense, even if your driving record was clear before the speeding ticket. If your speed significantly exceeded the limit, you might see a substantial rise in your insurance costs, regardless of a previously spotless record.

When a Speeding Ticket Affects Insurance

In Louisiana, speeding violations become part of your driving record. This happens once you settle the traffic ticket or court fees or if you are found guilty in court. Consequently, your car insurance rate will adjust at policy renewal to reflect these changes. Insurance providers typically review driving records for new or renewed policies. Any driving infractions, including traffic violations in Louisiana, will impact your record and may lead to a premium hike upon policy renewal if you are convicted.

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When a Speeding Ticket Affects Insurance

In Louisiana, speeding violations become part of your driving history post-payment of the traffic fine and/or court fees or upon being found guilty in court. Subsequently, your car insurance rates will adjust upon policy renewal.

Typically, insurers review driving records for new or renewed policies. Any driving infractions in Louisiana will appear on your record if convicted, potentially leading to higher premiums upon policy renewal.

How to Lower Premiums

With some time and effort, here are some ways you find affordable car insurance in Louisiana after a speeding ticket:

  • Opt for telematics: Join a usage-based program, like telematics, to secure reduced rates by driving safely and covering fewer miles.
  • Increase your deductible: Raise your deductible for collision and comprehensive coverage to access lower premiums.
  • Adjust your limits: Lower the coverage limits while considering this might result in reduced payouts during claims.
  • Eliminate unnecessary coverage: Remove unnecessary coverages, for instance, rental car coverage or collision coverage for an older vehicle.
  • Seek discounts: Inquire about applicable discounts from your agents for potential savings, such as reduced rates for having a college student with good grades on your policy.

Looking for Discounts

Insurers commonly provide discounts to policyholders, and many are easily accessible. Qualifying for these discounts could reduce your premium, offsetting any post-ticket rate hikes. Below are some common ways to save with discounts in Louisiana:

  • Complete a safe driver course: You can usually receive a modest discount by taking a defensive driving course. A state-required course might even remove your ticket from your driving record. These courses are available online and in-person and are typically cost-effective.
  • Enroll in a telematics program: If your insurer offers this program, drive safely. You could save up to 40% on your premium by permitting real-time driving monitoring.
  • Obtain a loyalty discount: Loyalty discounts vary but can lead to significant savings, especially through bundling car and home policies. You might also qualify for discounts with multiple insured cars or by remaining with the same insurer over time.
  • Opt for online payments: Utilizing paperless billing, automatic payments, or paying in full can often result in savings.

Speeding Ticket Impact on Insurance Record Duration

A speeding ticket in Louisiana remains on your record for three years, potentially causing rate increases due to a single moving violation. However, minor moving violations typically expire from your record after this period, ceasing to impact your insurance rates. If your premiums remain high post three years due to a minor offense, compare quotes during renewal and reach out to your insurance agent to avoid overpaying for insurance.

Consequences of a Speeding Ticket

Speeding violations while holding a Commercial Driver’s License in Baton Rouge can have more severe consequences than regular drivers. Minor traffic infractions may lead to CDL suspension, increased insurance costs, and fines for speeding.

Seeking assistance from a Baton Rouge CDL ticket attorney can provide insights into potential repercussions, aid in negotiating reduced charges, or even dismissing the ticket. CDL holders face stringent standards, where even minor speeding offenses can carry significant penalties, including those in personal vehicles with CDL privileges.

In case of a speeding accusation a CDL lawyer can safeguard your clean driving history and livelihood, ensuring uninterrupted employment as a commercial driver.

Is Louisiana a No-Fault State?

Louisiana operates under a fault-based system. This is unlike no-fault states where special coverage handles medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault in accidents. The at-fault driver or their insurance typically covers injuries and property damage post-accident in Louisiana. Drivers in Louisiana must carry liability insurance as per state law to address potential costs.

Louisiana also follows fault and comparative negligence laws using a pure comparative negligence rule. This rule allows recovery of damages even if partially at fault, with compensation reduced based on the percentage of fault. For instance, being 20% at fault in a $10,000 accident results in $8,000 compensation.

Fines and Penalties for Speeding

In Louisiana, each parish establishes its own schedule for traffic citation fines, and the specific amount you owe will partly depend on your speed and the location of the violation, such as a school zone, highway, or construction area. Typically, the base fines for speeding tickets in Louisiana range from $115 to $240. It's important to account for additional charges and court fees beyond the base fine.

Contact your parish to find out the precise cost of a speeding ticket in your area. Since Louisiana doesn’t use a driver’s license point system, no points will be added to your driving record. Still, the violation itself will be recorded and usually stays on your Louisiana driving record for three years.

Liability Insurance in Louisiana

In Louisiana, liability insurance protects other drivers and passengers in an accident where you are at fault. Still, the state's minimum requirements may not provide enough financial security in a severe crash. 

For example, the $25,000 minimum for property damage liability may not suffice for repairing or replacing a newer or expensive vehicle involved in the accident. Likewise, the $15,000 minimum for bodily injury liability per person may not cover all medical costs for severely injured passengers in the other vehicle.

Insurance professionals often suggest carrying more than the state's minimum liability coverage to reduce potential financial risks. This ensures better readiness to manage accident-related expenses, decreasing the chances of facing significant financial pressure. Consider also getting comprehensive car insurance, covering both comprehensive and collision damages to your vehicle. If unsure about the required insurance amount, consult a licensed agent.

Being Involved in an Accident While Uninsured

In Louisiana, being involved in an accident without car insurance can result in financial difficulties. If you cause the accident, you are obliged by law to cover all expenses incurred by the other driver, including medical bills, vehicle repair costs, or damages to property. These expenses are on top of any costs you have from the accident.

If you have no insurance and are in a crash that isn't your fault, Louisiana's “No Pay, No Play” legislation means you will still have financial obligations. The responsible driver's insurance won't cover the initial $15,000 of your medical bills or the first $25,000 of property damages. You must pay these amounts from your own funds before the driver's insurance kicks in for the remaining costs (up to its limits).

Buying a basic coverage plan in Louisiana can lead to significant savings and help you avoid severe penalties even if you have limited funds. While Louisiana car insurance can be costly, it might be a lesser burden compared to the consequences of driving without insurance coverage.

Do Other Infractions Increase Insurance Rates in Louisiana?

Other than speeding, various violations in Louisiana can also result in increased insurance rates. Reckless driving, a DUI charge, and involvement in accidents can all trigger a rise in insurance premiums. Insurers consider these infractions as signs of greater risk and adjust rates based on potential liability.

These behaviors may lead to criminal charges. They could potentially cause repercussions such as license suspension, fines, or even imprisonment. If facing allegations of any other traffic offense in Louisiana, a defense attorney will assist in securing the most favorable outcome for your case.

Fighting the Tickets

Calculating the impact of a speeding ticket on insurance can be perplexing. That's why contesting the ticket is wise to reduce the repercussions and diminish the likelihood of a rate hike. Speeding tickets are prevalent, yet receiving one is significant. Depending on your driving history and the ticket's implications, you may encounter more than just increased insurance costs. Possible outcomes include license suspension, points on your record, and challenges in obtaining future car insurance.

How Speeding Ticket Lawyer Can Help

If you're facing a speeding accusation, a speeding ticket attorney can offer various services to assist you. These lawyers possess expertise in handling speeding tickets. They can also engage in discussions with the prosecuting attorney to reduce charges or dismiss the case potentially. Should negotiations not yield a favorable result, your attorney will proceed to advocate for your desired outcome in court.

They can also recommend alternatives like attending traffic school or a defensive driving course. These options may prevent the ticket from affecting your record, demonstrating your dedication to safe driving practices to your insurance provider. Ultimately, their efforts can help you avoid fines or increased insurance premiums from the ticket.

Endnote

Ensuring safety while driving should always be your main concern. Adhering to speed limits helps protect passengers and everyone else on the road. However, if you receive a speeding ticket, use the guidance and tips in this article to manage the situation and reduce the financial impact.

author

Chris Bates