In South Carolina, leadfoot comes with a permanent price tag. A simple speeding ticket may seem like a big deal at first, but even a small violation can cost more than you would expect. For example, in towns like Summerville, fines start at around $75, reaching just 1-10 mph at the limit, or $355 if clocked at 25 mph or more. And that’s before you consider the ripple effects you may have on your car insurance.
Once tickets reach driving records, the premium can rise by an average of $409 a year, allowing it to rise for three to five years.
How much will your insurance increase after a speeding ticket in South Carolina?
On average, a single speeding ticket in South Carolina increases car insurance premiums by around 20%. This amounts to $34 a month or more for $409 a year for just one violation. Clean Record drivers pay an average of $1,999 per year for full coverage, but the average speeding ticket convicted drivers jumps to $2,408.
It is important to note that prices do not surge overnight. Most insurers only check your driving records when your policy is updated. This means it will take a little time before the increase begins. And speeding tickets are a major factor, but that’s not the only thing. Your age, driving history, and even the length of time you are insured are additional factors that can affect your premium changes. For example, younger drivers are already facing expensive base rates, so tickets could push even higher.
| Driver Profile | Average annual full coverage premium |
| Clean Record | $1,999 |
| Adult driver, single speeding ticket | $2,408 |
| 18 years old, clean record | $5,860 |
| 18 years old, single speeding ticket | $6,967 |
How much does a speeding ticket cost, regardless of South Carolina insurance?
In South Carolina, points from speeding tickets usually leave their driving records after about two years, but unfortunately, car insurance companies could hold that violation a little longer. Most insurers will consider speeding tickets to your premium for 3-5 years, depending on your severity and overall driving history.
Silver lining? That extra fee won’t last forever. Keeping a clean record moving forward, the impact on premiums usually shrinks over time. Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean that your rate will automatically return. Insurance companies adjust prices for all sorts of reasons, from broader risk trends to inflation, so even if tickets get older, the premium could still rise. This is where comparison shopping is useful. Get fresh quotes a year or two each year and you can make sure that you are not overpaid for tickets in the backview.
How to avoid increased insurance after speeding tickets in South Carolina
If you get hit with a speeding ticket, your car insurance could be more expensive, especially if the violation reaches your driving record. But all hope will not be lost. Whether you’re trying to completely separate that ticket from the record or try to ease the blow, there are a few ways to minimize damage.
Try to keep your speeding ticket from your driving record
For first-time offenders, there may be options to avoid tickets affecting their records. Furthermore, insurance premiums will be charged. It takes a little bit of footprint, but this effort can save hundreds of you over the next few years.
Here are some strategies worth exploring:
- Go to court: Juries often cut or reject tickets, particularly due to minor violations or clean driving history.
- Ask for a non-moving violation: Some drivers have managed to reduce tickets to something like a parking violation without insurance results.
- Check out the traffic school: Depending on the county, tickets may leave the record once you complete a defensive driving course.
- Request a postponement: You may be able to delay your judgment during the probationary period – you may maintain the violation and your ticket may be rejected.
- Reschedule your court date: If a ticketing representative doesn’t show up, you may be able to throw away your case completely.
As local courts and ticket outcomes can vary, it is wise to contact the courts listed in the quote and ask about your options.
After tickets, shop competitive rates
Even if tickets are stuck, not all insurers will assess risk the same way. Rates may vary widely depending on carrier risk models. For example, in South Carolina, the difference in average full coverage rates between the most expensive and cheapest carriers of drivers with speeding tickets is above $3,300.
That’s a big difference. It’s easy to offset the cost of the ticket itself. After the violation, it is recommended to compare estimates from at least 3 or 4 insurance companies to avoid leaving any money on the table.
Drive defensively to avoid future speeding tickets
Once you’ve dealt with your ticket, all you can do is keep your records clean. There’s time. Many additional charges will be reduced or eliminated, especially when consistent improvements are shown.
If your insurance company offers it, consider signing up for a telematics program that allows you to track your driving habits and get discounts on safe behaviours. Defensive driving courses can help you reduce points and provide certificates of additional savings.
And if your car has Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) or similar safety technology, turn it on. These systems help avoid accidental speeding and maintain alerts behind the wheels. A little care can help save the path.
FAQ
Methodology
Bankrate uses Quadrant Information Services to analyze April 2025 fees for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states. The cited fees are based on 40-year-old male and female drivers with clean driving records, good credits and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 per person physical injury liability
- $300,000 for each accident
- Liability for property damages of $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured driver physical injury for $100,000 per person
- Uninsured driver’s physical injury for $300,000 per accident
- $500 collision deduction possible
- Comprehensive $500 deduction
To determine the minimum coverage limit, bank rates used minimum coverage to meet the requirements of each state. Our base profile driver owns a 2023 Toyota Camry, commutes five days a week and drives 12,000 miles a year. Bundles and paperless billing discounts apply.
These are sample rates and should be used for comparison purposes only. Your quote is different.
If specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics:
