A speeding ticket in Minnesota can cost more than just a quick hit to your bank account. While fees vary depending on the county you are speeding through, the fine for going 10 mph over the limit typically costs at least $100 — and climbs sharply the faster you’re going. However, the real financial sting often shows up later. Insurance premiums in the state rise by an average of 22 percent after a single speeding violation, which adds up to roughly $587 more per year for full coverage. Whether it’s your first ticket or not, understanding how a citation can impact your rates is key to minimizing the long-term damage.
How much does insurance go up after a speeding ticket in Minnesota?
On average, car insurance premiums in Minnesota jump by 22 percent after a speeding ticket. That’s an extra $49 per month, or $587 more per year, added to your insurance bill for a single violation. And for younger drivers, the impact can be even more painful. 18-year-olds with a ticket on their record may see an increase of over $1,200 annually.
Keep in mind, your rates won’t typically rise until your insurer checks your driving history — usually at renewal. And while a speeding ticket plays a role in that increase, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Things like your age, driving experience, vehicle type and overall driving record all factor into how much your premium goes up.
| Driver profile | Average annual full coverage premium |
|---|---|
| Clean record | $2,613 |
| Adult driver, single speeding ticket | $3,200 |
| 18 years old, clean record | $6,950 |
| 18 years old, single speeding ticket | $8,230 |
You may lose discounts after a speeding ticket
Getting a speeding ticket doesn’t just add a surcharge to your policy — it can also wipe out any safe driving discounts you’ve earned, which means your base rate could go up even more than expected. That’s a double hit financially. If your discount disappears, talk to your insurance agent about other savings opportunities you might still qualify for, like bundling or loyalty perks. And don’t be afraid to shop around — some companies are more forgiving than others when it comes to minor violations.
How speeding tickets impacted insurance for real drivers in Minnesota
Speeding tickets can be a wake-up call — especially for younger drivers — and the way you handle them can make a big difference in how the ticket will impact you.
One 17-year-old Minnesota teen shared on Reddit, “Just got a 15+ speeding ticket in Minnesota. What is the best way to go about this because I am on my parents insurance.” Like many young drivers, they were worried about not only their record but the potential for the ticket to affect the entire household’s insurance premium. Fellow Redditors chimed in with some advice.
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The takeaway? Fighting a ticket or negotiating it down — especially as a first-time offender — could keep your insurance from spiking as much, and might even prevent it from rising at all.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on insurance in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, a speeding ticket typically stays on your driving record for five years. But when it comes to your insurance rates, the impact usually doesn’t last quite that long. Most car insurance companies only factor in moving violations like speeding for three to five years — and the financial sting tends to be strongest in the first couple of years following the citation.
The good news is that the insurance surcharge tied to your ticket will often decrease over time, especially if you maintain a clean driving record going forward. However, that doesn’t always mean your overall premium will go down. Insurers re-calculate your premium at every renewal using a mix of factors — like age, location, claims history and even changes to your vehicle — so it’s still possible for your premium to climb even as the speeding penalty fades. That’s why it’s smart to compare quotes from different carriers periodically, especially while you’re waiting for the ticket to roll off your record.
How to avoid an insurance increase after a speeding ticket in Minnesota?
If you’ve been hit with a speeding ticket, a rate hike may feel inevitable — and in most cases, it is. But not all hope is lost. Whether you can reduce the impact or avoid it altogether depends on what you do next. Even if the ticket sticks, there are still ways to minimize the financial fallout on your car insurance.
Try to keep the speeding ticket off your driving record
For first-time offenders, it may be possible to soften — or even erase — the impact of a ticket before it hits your insurance. As we saw in Reddit feed, many Minnesota drivers have had success working with the courts to negotiate their citation down to a non-moving violation or take other steps to keep it off their record entirely. The options vary by county, but if you’ve got a clean driving history, you may have more leverage than you think.
Here are a few strategies Minnesota drivers might consider:
- Go to court: In some cases, showing up in court and demonstrating responsibility could result in a reduced charge.
- Ask about a continuance for dismissal (CFD): Some counties offer this option, where the ticket is dismissed if you stay violation-free for a set time.
- Take a defensive driving course: Completing traffic school voluntarily may help you negotiate a better outcome.
- Request to downgrade to a non-moving violation: This keeps the offense off your insurance record, even if you pay the fine.
- Hire an attorney: Especially if you’re under 21 or already have violations, legal help could be worth the cost.
Shop around for competitive rates after a ticket
If the ticket ends up on your record, shopping around can still save you money. Every insurer weighs violations differently, so while one company might penalize you heavily, another may take a more forgiving approach. That means switching carriers could lead to major savings.
For example, our review of rates provided by Quadrant Information Services shows that full coverage premiums for Minnesota drivers with a speeding ticket vary by more than $3,500 per year. While AAA charges an average of $3,126 and Farmers sits even higher at $5,205, Nationwide comes in at just $1,641 — a potential savings of over $3,500 annually simply by switching providers.
Even if your current company won’t cut you a break, another might.
Drive defensively to avoid future speeding tickets
A single speeding ticket is a wake-up call — but it doesn’t have to define your driving future. Avoiding additional violations is usually the best long-term way to bring your insurance back down. Many companies offer good driver discounts after a clean period of time, and you may also benefit from enrolling in a telematics program that rewards safe driving.
If your vehicle has intelligent speed assistance (ISA) features, keeping them enabled can also help you stay within posted limits. The fewer violations on your record, the easier it becomes to restore your lower rate over time.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze April 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2023 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. Bundling and paperless billing discounts are applied.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.
If otherwise specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics:
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