Will a Speeding Ticket Raise My Insurance in Tennessee?
Yes. According to Insurance.com's Tennessee rate analysis, one speeding ticket raises the average Tennessee premium from $1,677 to $2,310 a year — an increase of about $633, or roughly 38%. The increase typically lasts two to three years. The main way to avoid it is to have the ticket dismissed, so there's no conviction for an insurer to see.
Key takeaways
- One speeding ticket raises the average Tennessee premium from $1,677 to $2,310 a year — about $633, or roughly 38%.
- The increase typically lasts two to three years, so a single ticket costs around $1,400 all in. The fine is the small part.
- Insurers react to the conviction, not the ticket. A dismissed charge is not a conviction, so there's nothing to rate against at renewal.
- Your insurer matters enormously — the same ticket means about $131 with Erie and over $1,300 with Farmers. Shop your policy at renewal regardless.
- Points removal after a conviction protects your license, not your premium. The conviction stays on your record, which is why acting before conviction matters far more.
Last updated: August 21, 2026
Yes. According to Insurance.com's Tennessee rate analysis, one speeding ticket raises the average Tennessee premium from $1,677 to $2,310 a year — an increase of about $633, or roughly 38%. The increase typically lasts two to three years. The main way to avoid it is to have the ticket dismissed, so there's no conviction for an insurer to see.
How much, exactly
| Situation | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
| Before a ticket | $1,677 |
| After one speeding ticket | $2,310 |
| Difference | +$633 per year |
Source: Insurance.com Tennessee speeding ticket analysis, based on a 40-year-old driver with a Honda Accord LX, good credit, and full coverage.
Your own increase depends on your insurer, your age, and where you live.
By insurer, the spread is enormous — from about $131 with Erie to over $1,300 with Farmers for the same ticket. This is why shopping your policy after a ticket is worth an afternoon.
By age, teen drivers see the steepest jumps — nearly $1,900 — while adults average around $720.
By city, Memphis drivers see the largest increases in the state at about $817. Sevierville sees the smallest at around $586.
How long it follows you
A speeding violation generally stays on your Tennessee driving record for about two years. Reckless driving stays longer.
But how long it stays on your record and how long it affects your premium are two different things. Insurers set their own lookback periods, and many rate on three years of history. Plan on the increase lasting two to three renewal cycles.
The full cost of one ticket:
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| The fine itself | ~$150 |
| Higher premiums, ~$633/yr for 2 years | ~$1,266 |
| Total | ~$1,400 |
The fine is the small part. That's the piece most people miss when they decide to just pay it and move on.
Why it happens
Tennessee assigns points to moving violations, and a conviction goes on your driving record. Insurers pull that record at renewal. They aren't reacting to the ticket — they're reacting to the conviction.
That distinction is the whole game. No conviction, nothing to rate against.
The one reliable way to avoid it
Get the ticket dismissed. In most Tennessee courts, completing an approved driver improvement course results in dismissal. A dismissed charge is not a conviction, so there's nothing for your insurer to find at renewal.
The course typically costs $24–$40 and takes four hours. Against roughly $1,266 in additional premiums, that's the highest-return four hours available to you.
Two things to know:
- Dismissal is the judge's decision, not an automatic right. Confirm your court offers it.
- You usually still owe the fine and court costs. Traffic school protects your record, not always your wallet on the day.
How to get a traffic ticket dismissed in Tennessee →
What about points removal?
If you've already been convicted, Tennessee offers a separate path. Under T.C.A. § 55-8-207, completing a state-approved defensive driving course within 90 days of a speeding conviction removes up to five points.
It has real limits: speeding offenses only, one offense per course, once every four years — and the conviction itself stays on your record. Points removal helps protect your license from suspension. It does not undo the insurance increase, because the conviction your insurer sees is still there.
This is why acting before conviction matters so much more than acting after.
The over-55 discount is a different thing
Tennessee law (T.C.A. § 56-7-1107) requires insurers to give a premium reduction to drivers over 55 who complete an approved eight-hour accident prevention course. The discount lasts three years.
But the statute specifically excludes drivers who were ordered by a court to complete defensive driver training. If you're taking a course because of a ticket, this discount does not apply to you. It's a separate product for a separate purpose.
What to do right now
- Don't just pay the fine. Paying it is pleading guilty, and that's the conviction your insurer will price against.
- Call the court on your citation and ask whether you can take a driver improvement course, and what your deadline is.
- Complete the course and submit the certificate before that deadline.
- Shop your policy at renewal anyway. The gap between insurers on the same ticket runs over $1,000 a year in Tennessee.
Find your county
Whether you can have your ticket dismissed depends on your court. Find your county to see which courts are there and how each one handles driver improvement courses.
También disponible en español: ¿Una multa de velocidad sube mi aseguranza en Tennessee?
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Last updated: August 25, 2026