How is car insurance affected by speeding offences?

Not only could picking up a speeding ticket lead to points on your license and a fine of up to £100, but it could also see an increase in car insurance costs.

When applying for car insurance you need to provide information that will allow the insurance company to judge how much of a risk you may be on the roads. The higher the risk, the higher your premium will be, and the lower the risk, the lower the premium costs.

Depending on the severity of the speeding fine, insurance premiums could be increased by almost £200. Other factors such as age group can also trigger an increase, with younger drivers more likely to be heavily punished.

Those with motoring offences against their name should always notify their insurance provider as soon as one is committed, as they will not be covered without declaring it at the time.

The penalty for exceeding the passenger vehicle speed limit, also known as an SP40 , could put 3-6 points on a licence for four years from the offence date and a maximum fine of £100 for a fixed penalty.

If the speeding case if referred to Court, the maximum is £1,000, and £2,500 for motorway offences.

A first offence may only add around 10% to premiums but the more severe the speeding offence, the more your car insurance will increase.

Insurance companies can calculate the increase by using the data that connects minor motor offences with the chances of a making a claim. Other companies may even go as far to refuse to cover drivers with any points on their license.

How to save on car insurance after committing a speeding offence?

There is a way to avoid receiving an increase to your insurance premium though, as speed offenders may be offered the chance to attend a speed awareness course instead of being issued with a fixed penalty. Being giving this opportunity depends on how severe the speeding offence was.

You must pay to take part in the course but the price may be less than the original fine and completing the course could make your insurance costs lower than if you were to take the points on your license.

However, some insurance companies may still increase the insurance premiums regardless of whether you have successfully completed a speed awareness course - which is why it is important to always shop around before deciding who to go with.

Another option is to take out a telematics (black box) insurance policy. This policy involves a small device which measures your driving and speed being fitted to your car. It allows drivers who have committed speed offences to prove to their insurance that they are safe drivers.