Insurance & Money
How Much Does Insurance Go Up After a Ticket?
Reported figures vary widely by driver and insurer — but secondary sources commonly describe a rough range by how many convictions are on your record.
Quick answer: Reported figures commonly describe one minor conviction as a 0-20% premium increase, two convictions as roughly 25%, and three or more as potentially doubling your premium or risking non-renewal — but these are reported ranges from secondary sources, not a fixed formula, and insurers differ significantly in how they weigh tickets.
Key Takeaways
- A single minor conviction is commonly reported as roughly a 0-20% premium increase.
- Two convictions are commonly reported in the range of a 25% increase.
- Three or more convictions are commonly reported as potentially doubling a premium or risking non-renewal.
- Sources disagree meaningfully on exact percentages -- insurer practices vary considerably.
Reported ranges by conviction count
Secondary sources commonly describe a rough escalation: a single minor conviction is often reported as resulting in anywhere from no increase to roughly a 20% premium bump at renewal, mainly by removing a conviction-free discount rather than adding a surcharge. Two convictions are more commonly described as pushing the increase toward roughly 25%. Three or more convictions — or a combination of minor, significant, and severe convictions — are commonly described as potentially doubling a premium or resulting in an insurer declining to renew the policy altogether.
These figures come from secondary sources like insurance brokers and comparison sites rather than a single official schedule, and they disagree with each other on specifics. Treat them as a general sense of direction — a second, third, and fourth conviction each generally make the financial impact meaningfully worse — rather than a number you can apply directly to your own policy.
Why no single number applies to everyone
Individual insurers weigh traffic convictions differently. Some insurers raise rates at the first minor ticket, while others are more tolerant of an isolated minor conviction and focus more heavily on major or repeated violations. Your own driving history, how long you’ve held a conviction-free discount, your insurer’s specific underwriting approach, and the severity of the specific offence all factor in alongside the raw conviction count. For a broader look at the general factors insurers consider, see our how insurers actually price a conviction article.
When this escalates to "high-risk" status
Generally, three or more convictions, or a mix of minor, significant, and severe convictions, can result in a driver being classified as high-risk, which carries its own, generally more significant pricing consequences beyond a standard renewal increase. See our high-risk insurance explainer for what that classification generally involves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will one minor ticket definitely raise my premium?
Not necessarily. Some insurers don't raise rates for a single minor conviction, though it commonly disqualifies you from a conviction-free discount. Practices vary significantly by insurer.
Is the percentage the same for every insurer?
No. Reported figures vary meaningfully by source and insurer, so treat any specific percentage as a general reference point rather than a figure that applies to your specific policy.
Does the ticket date or the conviction date matter for insurance?
The conviction date is generally what insurers use. See our conviction date vs. ticket date explainer for why that distinction matters.
Sources
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