How much could speeding impact your car insurance?

Average car insurance premiums are 23% higher for drivers with a speeding conviction, according to new figures from Go.Compare.

With speeding offences on the rise – from 2.3m penalty points in 2021 to 9.6m in 2024 – the comparison site estimates that motorists could collectively be paying an extra £291m a year for cover.

Here, Which? explains how speeding convictions affect your car insurance, what happens if you’re caught, and how to keep costs down.

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How much more could you pay?

Go.Compare says the average car insurance premium for a driver with a speeding conviction is £482 a year.

That’s £91 more than the average premium of £391 for drivers with a clean record – an increase of around 23%.

The analysis is based on car insurance policies sold between 1 January and 31 August 2025, across all policy types paid annually.

Even a single speeding offence can increase your premium, as insurers view drivers with penalty points as higher risk

• Find out more: best car insurance companies in the UK.

What to expect if you’re caught speeding

If you’re caught speeding by a camera or stopped by police, you’ll usually receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) followed by a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). This normally means a £100 fine and three penalty points on your licence.

For minor offences, you might be offered a speed awareness course instead. It avoids penalty points, but you’ll need to pay for the course and you can usually only take one every three years.

Serious cases, such as driving far over the limit or in dangerous conditions, can lead to higher fines, more points or even a driving ban.

Penalty points stay on your licence for four years, though insurers can ask you to declare them for up to five. If you build up 12 or more points within three years, you could lose your licence. 

For new drivers, just six points within two years of passing your test can mean having it revoked.

• Find out more: what's happening to car insurance premiums.

How speeding can impact a claim

If you’re involved in an accident and it’s proven you were driving above the speed limit, your insurer may decide that you were at fault. This could reduce the amount you’re paid out or even lead to your claim being refused altogether.

Even if you’re not claiming for an accident caused by speeding, having penalty points on your licence can still work against you. Insurers use your driving history to assess risk, so drivers with points are more likely to see higher premiums and, in some cases, larger excesses.

It’s also important to declare any speeding convictions when you renew your policy. Failing to do so could invalidate your insurance, meaning you won’t be covered if you need to claim later.

• Find out more: how to win at car insurance haggling

How to cut your car insurance premiums 

Whether you’ve had a speeding conviction or not, many drivers are finding the cost of car insurance harder to manage. Here are a few simple ways to bring your premium down:

1. Shop around: prices can vary depending on where you compare. Try at least two or three comparison sites, such as Confused.com, Compare the Market, Go.Compare or MoneySuperMarket. Some insurers, including Direct Line, don’t appear on comparison sites, so it’s worth checking them separately too.
2. Don’t leave it too late: car insurance tends to be cheaper if you buy it a few weeks before your renewal date. Research shows around three weeks before your policy ends is often the sweet spot for lower prices.
3. Check for add-ons you don’t need: many policies include extras like legal cover, courtesy cars or breakdown assistance as standard. You may already have these elsewhere, such as through a bank account or breakdown membership. Removing unnecessary add-ons can help trim your quote.
4. Consider black box insurance: a telematics or ‘black box’ policy monitors how you drive, using a small device or smartphone app. If you’re a careful driver or drive fewer miles, you could be rewarded with a lower premium. These policies are often best suited to younger or less experienced drivers. Learn more in our guide to black box insurance.
5. Pay annually if you can: paying monthly may seem easier, but it usually includes interest charges that can push up the total cost. Paying in full upfront is usually cheaper. If you need to spread the cost, consider a 0% credit card and set up automatic repayments.

Find out more: how to find cheap car insurance