Traffic ticket calculator in Massachusetts

Average car insurance rate increases after a traffic violation in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, drivers with a clean driving record pay $1,726 a year on average for car insurance. However, drivers with speeding tickets pay $2,112, and drivers with DUIs pay $3,193.

Not all traffic violations are equal. More severe violations receive higher rate increases. For example, a DUI generally impacts rates more than a speeding ticket or one at-fault accident.

How much do insurance rates increase after a ticket in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts drivers understand that traffic tickets cause auto insurance rates to increase. However, it might surprise you how much a ticket increases rates.

Typically, if you have a clean driving record, a first offense won't increase rates too significantly. However, a more severe offense, such as a hit-and-run or a DUI, causes rates to increase drastically.

Check out this table to see how various traffic violations affect your Massachusetts car insurance rates.

Violation	Average annual premium	$ Increase	% Increase
Careless driving	$2,172	$446	26%
Distracted driving ticket	$2,083	$356	21%
Driving without a license or permit	$2,451	$725	42%
Driving without insurance	$2,385	$659	38%
DUI/DWI first offense	$3,194	$1,468	85%
Failure to stop	$2,092	$366	21%
Failure to yield	$2,083	$356	21%
Following too closely	$2,083	$356	21%
Improper turn	$2,085	$359	21%
Improper/illegal pass	$2,085	$359	21%
Passing stopped school bus	$2,177	$451	26%
Seatbelt infraction	$1,911	$185	11%
Speeding 30+ over limit	$2,128	$402	23%
Speeding ticket 1-10 MPH over limit	$2,082	$356	21%
Speeding ticket 11-29 MPH over limit	$2,128	$402	23%
Talking on cellphone ticket	$2,083	$356	21%
Texting ticket	$2,083	$356	21%

Data updated in 2024

Read our methodology

How much do insurance rates go up after a ticket by the company?

Each car insurance company treats traffic violations differently. For example, one company may increase rates significantly for an accident, while another may take speeding tickets more seriously.

This table compares insurers and how Massachusetts car insurance rates increase after one at-fault accident and after multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium	Average annual premium after a ticket
State Farm	$689	$910
Geico	$1,269	$1,503
Arbella Insurance	$1,708	$1,833
Safety Insurance	$1,517	$2,185
Progressive	$2,016	$2,675
Farmers	$1,966	$2,795
Allstate	$2,694	$2,950
Travelers	$2,274	$3,130
USAA	$1,442	$1,867

Data updated in 2024

Read our methodology

How are car insurance rates affected by a traffic violation in Massachusetts?

The average cost of car insurance with multiple speeding tickets is $2,493 a year. If you have more than one DUI, you can expect rates to be very high. The average car insurance rate with multiple DUIs in Massachusetts is $4,655.

Moving violations like speeding and reckless driving significantly affect car insurance rates. However, the severity of the violation also impacts rates. For example, a speeding ticket for going 15 mph over the speed limit is less serious if you do it on the interstate vs. in a school zone.

The number of violations also affects your insurance premiums. Your first speeding ticket may only slightly increase rates, but your third speeding ticket will likely cause rates to skyrocket.

The good news is that your insurance rates will decrease over time as long as you don't add violations.

Keep in mind that non-moving violations, such as parking tickets, generally don't affect car insurance rates.

Violation	Average annual premium	Average annual premium after violation
DUI	$1,726	$3,194
Hit and run	$1,726	$2,954
Reckless driving	$1,726	$2,818
Single vehicle accident (so the drivers car only)	$1,726	$2,697
Speeding	$1,726	$2,113
Talking on cellphone ticket	$1,726	$2,083
Texting ticket	$1,726	$2,083

Data updated in 2024

Read our methodology

How long does a traffic violation stay on your record in Massachusetts?

Various traffic violations affect your driving record for different lengths of time. For example, a speeding ticket in Massachusetts stays on your record for six years, and a DUI stays on your record for life. It's important to note that the length of time a ticket affects your insurance rates often differs from how long it stays on your record.

How do you check if you have tickets on your record in Massachusetts?

You can access your driving record through the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. You may be able to see your driving history online or receive a copy in person or through the mail.

You will need personal information, such as name, date of birth, driver's license number, and possibly your social security number. You may also be required to pay a fee to obtain a copy of your driving record.

How can you reduce your insurance cost after a traffic violation in Massachusetts?

If your Massachusetts driving record is less than stellar, there are still things you can do to find affordable car insurance.

First, improve driving skills. Since most traffic tickets stop affecting car insurance in three to five years, you can get lower rates by avoiding traffic tickets. Pay attention while behind the wheel and practice defensive driving techniques to prevent accidents and speeding tickets.

Additionally, most states allow you to take a defensive driving course to remove points from your driver's license and lower insurance rates.

Next, take advantage of car insurance discounts. While you may not initially qualify for a safe driving discount, you can save money with multi-policy, vehicle safety features, and other discounts.

"Even with a moving violation on your motor vehicle record, drivers can take advantage of other common discounts to reduce their insurance costs. This includes bundling auto and home or renters insurance with the same insurer, multi-vehicle (having more than one vehicle in the household on the same policy), paying your premium in full, paperless billing, and student and military discounts. Signing up for a usage-based telematics program could also help reduce your insurance costs if you maintain safe driving habits following the infraction," says Friedlander.

Finally, shop around for car insurance. Each insurer in Massachusetts offers different rates based on your personal factors, like age, driving record and credit score. Compare multiple insurers to find one offering you the best rate.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned auto insurance rates from Quadrant Data Services in late 2023 in all 50 states and D.C. Rates are based on a 40-year-old driver with full coverage consisting of 100/300/100 liability limits and $500 deductibles driving a Honda Accord LX. Rates were fielded for drivers with a clean record as well as with multiple different violations across 34,588 ZIP codes and from 170 insurance companies.