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How tickets, accidents and a DUI change your car insurance
How much car insurance typically rises after a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident or a DUI, how long it lasts, and what to do about it.
Insurers price your policy on how likely you are to file a claim, and your driving history is one of the strongest signals they have. The Missouri Department of Insurance puts it plainly: your driving record affects your rates more than anything else, and an at-fault accident or moving violation can raise your premium or even lead to cancellation.
How much rates go up
Insurance.com compiled average increases using rates from Quadrant Information Services for major insurers in each state. Its example driver is a 40-year-old man with good credit and full coverage with a $500 deductible.
| Violation or accident | Average increase |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1–10 mph over | 26% |
| Speeding 11–29 mph over | 34% |
| Speeding 30+ mph over | 39% |
| Two speeding tickets (11+ mph over) | 58% |
| At-fault accident, property damage under $2,000 | 52% |
| At-fault accident, property damage over $2,000 | 53% |
| At-fault accident with injuries | 60% |
| Two at-fault accidents (over $2,000) | 117% |
| Reckless driving | 82% |
| DUI/DWI, first offense | 90% |
| DUI/DWI, second offense | 186% |
These are averages. Your insurer may charge more or less, and some states limit what insurers can do.
What that means in dollars
As a hypothetical example, take the US average full-coverage price in 2024 from the NAIC, about $1,613 a year:
- A 34% increase after a speeding ticket adds about $548 a year.
- A 53% increase after an at-fault accident adds about $855 a year.
- A 90% increase after a first DUI adds about $1,452 a year.
If that surcharge applied for three years, a single accident would cost roughly $2,560 in extra premiums.
What you can do
- Ask how long it counts. Ask your insurer how long a ticket or accident will affect your rate, and put a reminder on your calendar to re-shop then.
- Re-shop after a violation. Insurers weigh violations differently, so the insurer that was cheapest before a ticket may not be cheapest after.
- Ask about discounts you still qualify for. Bundling, multi-car and good-student discounts may still apply.
- Consider your deductible. A higher collision and comprehensive deductible lowers your premium, as long as you could afford it after a claim.
How SpendySaver helps
SpendySaver's car insurance estimator uses these average increases with your state's NAIC average, so you can see roughly how a ticket or accident could change what you pay, and compare it with what you're paying now. It's an estimate, not a quote, and SpendySaver doesn't sell insurance.
SpendySaver is free to start and works with linked accounts or a CSV file you upload.
Estimate your car insuranceCommon questions
Will one speeding ticket always raise my rate?
Each insurer sets its own rules, so the effect varies. On average across major insurers, a single speeding ticket raised full-coverage rates by about a quarter to over a third in Insurance.com's data.
Can my insurer cancel my policy after an accident?
The Missouri Department of Insurance notes that an at-fault accident or moving violation can raise your premium or lead to your policy being cancelled. Rules on cancellation and non-renewal vary by state, so check with your state insurance department.
Sources
- How much will car insurance go up after an accident or ticket?, Insurance.com. Accessed November 8, 2026.
- Tips on Lowering Premiums, Missouri Department of Insurance. Accessed November 8, 2026.
- 2024 Auto Insurance Database Average Premium Supplement, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Accessed November 8, 2026.
This guide is general education, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules and figures change; check the sources above, and talk to a qualified professional about your own situation. See our editorial standards and how SpendySaver makes money. Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected].