I have had my MINI since last Nov. also the beginning of my insurance coverage. Right around Feb. 08 I got a speeding ticket on a state highway by a state trooper at 75 on 55. (Was still excited about the car) The ticket he gave me indicated I was clocked and also he only charged me $100 when I should be charged $200. I tried to appeal it at the court but couldn't and was told to pay the fine of $100 and it will go on my insurance. My new insurance term is rolling around and my insurance is actually cheaper? What gives? Is it going to kick in later? Did the speeding ticket not give me any points? Also note that prior to this, I had a couple warnings and appealed one other speeding ticket. This would be my first speeding ticket that I payed for.

 

May have gotten lucky in points never posted. Or insurance company may only pull records once a year.

I know in CA a single ticket makes a $200 a year difference on my insurance -- I had a ticket backed out that didn't belong (another story) and that was the $ diff before and after.

 

It just didn't catch up with you yet.
My guess is by the time you renew again
(assuming a 6 month premium renewal)
it will show up

 

Being that you are in Mass, What actual infraction did you pay a ticket on?

A speeding ticket in Mass is a bit more than $100.00. At 20mph over the limit the trooper could have added reckless driving to the ticket, or maybe even endangerment, but apparently didn't.
You may have paid a lesser ticket, such as "Failure to obey", "Exceeding conditions", or "Driving over the Posted Limit". You may also have paid a "bond", that basically says that if you recieve another infraction within a specified period, the bond will be forfiet, and you will pay a speeding ticket violation. "Bonds", may or may not be reported to your insurance provider.

On the other hand it appears that your driving record must be pretty clean. Mass isn't known for it's leniency with regards to Motor Vehicle violations, and it definitely seems as if you caught a break.

 

You also don't mention how old you are or your gender. These have big effects on rates. Especially if male and you reach age 25, rates take a big drop if no accidents or tickets. Get another drop when you hit 50.

 

I'm a male 21. Had my license since I was 18. Moving violations include about 3 speed warnings, 1 appealed speeding ticket and this one that I couldn't appeal. It wouldn't make sense for it to kick in half a year because the ticket was in Feb. and the date I tried to appeal it was in March. It's been more than 6 months? The infraction that I paid for was def. for speeding. The state trooper made the mistake of putting $100 for a $200 charge. And when I went to court, they let it stay as that and told me to pay it off.

 

Another possible impact could be your address. Any change in location? Also, some insurance companies adjust their rates based on your credit rating, so that might also have had some impact.

I got a 'driving with a defective headlight' ticket and my insurance jumped $100/6 months. I think it's silly. But oh well.

 

Some insurance companies will forgive (i.e. not penalize) your first ticket.

 

Nah, see you've got it all wrong. Of course your insurance rates will go down if you get a ticket. If you're speeding, you'll get to where you're going to faster, so you'll spend less time on the road, and subsequently have less of getting into an accident. The insurance company is well aware of this, and adjusts accordingly.

 

Most companies give a small break for males when they hit 21. Bigger at 25.

 

Haven't changed my location. I have insurance through Met Life...maybe a first time forgiveness? Isn't that Allstate??

 

Speeding tickets don't automatically increase your insurance-especially if it's your first per calender year. Go ahead and get 2 or more per year and you'll see it skyrocket. :P

I've had 1 speed ticket so far(going 55 in 35 per officer). I didn't contest since I was out of the country during the court date. Anyways, my insurance didn't go up, but like yours it decreased. I called the insurance to double check and they said it went down because my car tested to be safer than what they had originally charged me for. The ticket had no part in the price-making decision since it's my first.

Either way, enjoy the drop in rates. If it increases later, then you would have just delayed payment. If it doesn't, then be happier! ;p

 

I bet it went down because he now has 3 years of
driving experience.

I can not say in MA.
In NC, they are not allowed to adjust your rate even for the good
based on age. They are only allowed to use your driving record.
(not sure if they are able yet to incorporate the credit report)
The only other factor I am aware of is if you have the required
3 years of experience driving to not have the really high rate.
That 3 years as a side note, must be in the US, overseas
driving does not count.

 

+1, That's the explanation I'm going with I also heard that your MPG goes up because the engine doesn't run as long!

 

Another thing I can think of is that MA. insurance rates just recently stopped being regulated by the state so now it's more competitive for car insurance companies and rates are able to be lower. Perhaps that went into effect?

 

I'm confused.......you were going 75 in a 55 zone. What could you expect to accomplish by appealing the ticket? to have the charge dismissed? to have the fine lowered? to not be assessed points? I'm just curious.

 

With a lawyer you can often get a plea agreement to have it changed to something else that doesn't involve points on your license, like littering or a non-moving violation, etc. The city still gets revenue for assessed fines, but your driving record stays clean.

 

+1


It doesn't hurt to try to appeal a ticket, you could always have it lowered, have it not effect your insurance, and etc. so why not?