Getting your driver’s license is a major milestone, but that excitement can quickly turn into a sinking feeling in your stomach when you see blue and red lights in your rearview mirror. If you’ve just received your first speeding ticket in Cook County, chances are good that you’re wondering how this is going to affect your insurance.
Illinois uses a point system to track moving violations. If you’re convicted of speeding, points are assigned to your driving record based on how far over the limit you were going. For example, speeding 1 through 10 mph over the limit is different than speeding 26 mph or more (which can be classified as aggravated speeding, a criminal offense).
For drivers under the age of 21, the rules are even stricter. You could face a license suspension if you’re convicted of two moving violations within 24 months. Because your license is so new, even a single speeding ticket can put you halfway to a suspension.
Your insurance premium is a reflection of how “risky” you are in the eyes of an underwriter. Insurance companies are in the business of predicting the future. They use your driving history to determine the likelihood that you’ll be involved in an accident.
To an insurer, a speeding ticket is a red flag. It says that you might be prone to risky behavior or that you don’t yet have the judgment required to maintain safe speeds under different conditions. In some cases, a single ticket can increase your premiums by 20% to 30% or more, and those high rates can stick with you for several years.
In Cook County, you might hear the term “Court Supervision.” If you’re granted supervision and complete the requirements (which usually involves paying a fine and attending traffic school without getting another ticket for a certain period), the ticket doesn’t count as a conviction on your public driving record.9
That’s very important for your insurance. While the insurance company might still see that you were cited, a “disposition of supervision” is much better than a conviction. In some cases, your rates might not change at all.
If you’ve recently been cited for speeding and you’re worried about how it will affect your license or your insurance, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
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