Premiums and Risk

• Insurance companies base the price of premiums on a driver's risk. Drivers with a long record of traffic violations will likely pay a higher insurance premium because their chances of getting in an automobile accident are higher than someone who obeys the speed limits and has never had an auto accident. Some insurance companies charge higher premiums to younger drivers -- such as teenagers -- due to inexperience.
  
  

First Offense

• Insurance companies vary, and before increasing auto insurance premiums, a company may pull a customer's driving record to evaluate his driving history. If this person has never had a ticket or an automobile accident prior to this speeding ticket, the insurance company may forgive the first offense and keep his premium low. On the other hand, if pulling a person's driving record reveals a horrible driving history with several traffic violations, insurance companies are less likely to waive the offense, and they are more likely to increase insurance premiums due to the driver's higher risk.
  
  

Court Date

• Receiving a speeding ticket doesn't require showing up in court, unless otherwise stated on the ticket. However, coming to court to fight the traffic ticket can result in a reduced charge, where a traffic judge may reduce the moving traffic violation to a non-moving violation. What's more, the officer who wrote the speeding ticket may not appear in court, and if this happens, the judge can dismiss the case. If either incident occurs, the speeding ticket will have no affect on your car insurance premiums.
  
  

Driving School

• Going to traffic or driving school can help add positive points to your personal driving history, and help you score a lower insurance premium with your provider. A judge may order driving school if you have a terrible driving record, or you can volunteer to attend a traffic or driving school. Choose a school that's approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles. After completion of a course, your driving record will increase by a few points, and this increase can help you qualify for better insurance rates.