How to show proof of insurance after ticket MN

The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety reports that 75 of the 364 traffic-related deaths in 2019, the most recent year with available data, were speed-related. This means that speeding is the second-highest cause of traffic fatalities in Minnesota behind driving under the influence. Speeding tickets are relatively common, but they’re still indications of risky driving behavior. A Minnesota speeding ticket increases the average cost of car insurance by 24%, according to Bankrate’s 2021 study of quoted annual premiums.

How much is a speeding ticket in Minnesota?

The cost of a speeding ticket in Minnesota depends on how fast you were going over the speed limit. Fines may also vary depending on the county you live in. In Itasca County, for example, the fines are as follows:

• One to ten miles per hour (mph) over the limit: $125
• 11 to 14 mph over the limit: $135
• 15 to 19 mph over the limit: $145
• 20 to 25 mph over the limit: $225
• 26 to 30 mph over the limit: $285
• 31 mph or more over the limit: $385

Minnesota law states that drivers who were ticketed for driving more than 100 mph may have their license suspended or revoked for six months. Repeat offenders may also face stiffer penalties.

In addition to fines, your car insurance premium will also likely increase after a speeding ticket. Many factors can affect how much rates go up after a moving violation, such as the company you choose, your overall driving record, and your age and gender.

Minnesota’s car insurance rates for females are higher on average than a male’s, despite the fact that female drivers are statistically less likely to engage in risky driving behavior. This may be due to ticket statistics on a state level.

Average annual full coverage premium

The state of Minnesota has one of the lowest average increases after a speeding ticket. Even though rates go up less than average, a motorist can expect to pay just under $400 more per year for car insurance, on average, after a moving violation.

How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in Minnesota

A Minnesota speeding ticket is very likely to raise your car insurance premium, but there are ways to save on coverage to offset part of the increase. You might want to consider the following ways to lower your insurance rates.

Get quotes from other car insurance companies

Switching car insurance companies can be worth the effort; rates vary by provider and you might save hundreds per year on coverage. This is because each company has its own rating system and some charge more heavily for tickets than others. Take a look at how your premium could be affected after a speeding ticket with various car insurance companies in Minnesota:

Average annual full coverage premium

*Premiums are average annual full coverage premiums for 40-year-olds

Although the price of car insurance is important, there are other factors worth considering. You may want to do some research on the company you are interested in before you sign up by reading customer reviews and complaints to learn more about how the company works.

Maintain a clean driving record going forward

Additional tickets will likely raise your premium even more. You may want to pay closer attention to your speed or take a defensive driving course to learn safer habits. Steering clear of further citations could help you avoid another premium increase.

Utilize discounts

If you have home and auto insurance, consider purchasing your policies with the same company to get any available bundling discount. You could also sign up for paperless statements, automatic payments or a telematics discount (assuming you continue to drive safely) to help lower your insurance cost.

Other speeding ticket considerations

If you have no previous tickets or convictions, you may be able to have your ticket dismissed, which means it won’t show up on your driving record. This could help keep your car insurance premium from increasing. Regardless of how fast you were traveling, you’ll likely face fines after a speeding citation. You may also have your license suspended or revoked and could even face jail time, depending on the circumstances of your ticket.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best car insurance company for drivers with speeding tickets?

Some car insurance companies raise premiums more after speeding tickets than others. Bankrate found that American Family and State Farm have the cheapest average full coverage rates in Minnesota after a speeding ticket. However, to find the best provider, you may want to get quotes from several carriers to see which can offer you the lowest price and coverage that fits your needs.

Do I need to appear in court if I get a speeding ticket?

You might. One of the best ways to handle the process after a speeding ticket is to work with a lawyer familiar with the court system.

How long will a ticket stay on my record?

Most insurance companies charge for moving violations for three to five years. During this time, you’ll likely have higher insurance rates than you did before your ticket. Once your ticket is old enough — and that depends on each company’s underwriting guidelines — you may see your rates go back down, assuming you’ve kept a clean driving record.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), single speeding ticket.

Gender: The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.

Under Minnesota law, all drivers are required to have automobile insurance. Not only do they need to carry auto insurance, but drivers are required to have proof of coverage in their possession at all times when operating a vehicle. Failure to have automobile insurance coverage or have proof of insurance in their possession when driving constitutes a misdemeanor offense in Minnesota.

Driving Without Insurance Law In Minnesota

Here’s what Minnesota Statute 169.791 has to say about motor insurance.

Every driver shall have in possession at all times when operating a vehicle and shall produce on demand of a peace officer proof of insurance in force at the time of the demand covering the vehicle being operated. If the driver does not produce the required proof of insurance upon the demand of a peace officer, the driver is guilty of a misdemeanor.

So as you can see, even if you have automobile coverage, you can still be ticketed for failing to provide proof of coverage. Most people carry their proof of insurance card in their glove compartment, but we always recommend that you take a picture of your insurance card for all your vehicles and save it on your phone. In today’s world, most people have their phone on them at all times, and Minnesota law states that you can show proof of coverage through electronic means.

The law also states that giving the officer your phone to show proof of coverage does not give them consent to access your phone for other reasons. Essentially, if an officer pulled you over because he thought you were texting and driving, and you showed him a picture of your insurance card on your phone, he can’t then check your text messages to see if you were texting behind the wheel.

Driving With Insurance, But Without Proof

As we noted above, you can be ticketed for driving without insurance even if you have coverage, because the law states that you must be able to produce proof that you are insured. Surprisingly, Minnesota has actually adopted a reasonable option for drivers who are ticketed for not having proof of coverage to get out of paying for this ticket. According to the law, drivers can mail proof of insurance to the court administration listed on their citation and the citation will be dropped, so long as these two factors are met:

• You had insurance at the time you were pulled over.
• The court receives proof of insurance prior to the date and time listed on the citation for the driver’s first appearance in court.

We’ve also fielded this question before, so we’ll clarify it here. Sometimes people ask if they purchase insurance prior to their court date, will the court drop the citation? Unfortunately, if you weren’t covered on the date you were cited, than the ticket will likely not be dropped even if you purchased coverage prior to your first appearance.

Penalties For Driving Without Insurance in Minnesota

Driving without insurance in Minnesota is considered a misdemeanor offense, punishable by fines up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail. However, the law also states that “the court shall impose a fine of not less than $200,” meaning you can expect to pay at least $200 for a driving without insurance citation. Most times, a first offense for driving without insurance results in a $200 fine and no jail time.

If the $200 fine is too burdensome on the individual, the court may impose community service in lieu of a fine. The law also states that drivers with a number of previous driving citations may face the potential loss of their license or the revocation of their motor vehicle registration.

So if you are facing a citation for driving without insurance, know that the case is worth fighting. You can lose your driving privileges and face steep fines, so consider hiring a lawyer to help you fight your traffic ticket. At Appelman Law Firm, we offer a free citation evaluation where we’ll walk you through your options and let you know if we think it’s best that you hire an attorney, or if you can beat the charges by filing the right paperwork on your own. Our goal is to help you in any way possible. Contact us at (952) 224-2277 for more information.