High-Risk Auto Insurance (2023)

When shopping for high-risk auto insurance, you’ll find many coverage options from the best auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers. Unfortunately, car insurance with a bad driving record is more expensive than coverage for drivers with a clean record.

Many things could put you in the high-risk category, like a DUI or several traffic accidents or violations. Unfortunately, finding cheap auto insurance for high-risk drivers may be difficult once considered high risk.

There are plenty of high-risk auto insurance companies, but shopping online and comparing quotes to find the best auto insurance companies near you is crucial.

Cheapest High-Risk Auto Insurance Companies

If you’re considered high-risk, you may find that certain insurance companies offer cheaper rates than others. For example, in most cases, Geico’s high-risk auto insurance cost is the most affordable for bad drivers.

Geico offers the cheapest rates for people with a 30-day coverage lapse, two recent speeding tickets, a DUI, and teens with a recent traffic ticket. For more information, see our Geico auto insurance review.

State Farm auto insurance is the next cheapest car insurance company on average, but rates can get expensive depending on a person’s driving record.

If you’re looking for high-risk coverage, you may find that many companies are unwilling to offer you coverage. So it’s essential to get quotes from several companies to find the one offering the best insurance for high-risk drivers in your area.

Companies only offering high-risk or non-standard coverage may not have competitive coverage rates. Still, if you need high-risk coverage and other companies won’t cover you, you may need to pursue coverage with a company like The General.

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How to Get High-Risk Auto Insurance if Standard Insurers Won’t Cover You

If you own a vehicle, you need proper auto insurance. However, you may have trouble getting coverage with most companies if you’re a high-risk driver. When this happens, your two options for finding car insurance are through a non-standard insurance company or a state-sponsored auto insurance plan.

Non-standard insurance companies specialize in providing coverage to high-risk drivers, and they’re typically region-specific companies. Some of the most common non-standard companies include:

• The General auto insurance
• SafeAuto auto insurance
• National General auto insurance

You can read more about a state-sponsored plan in the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office directory. Options vary by state.

Understanding What Constitutes a High-Risk Driver for Auto Insurance

Finding coverage for a high-risk driver is the same as finding car insurance with a bad driving record: the worse your driving record looks to an insurance company, the higher your insurance rates will be.

Here’s a quick look at how your driving record may affect your auto insurance rates. We’ll dive into each of these in more detail below:

Below are several reasons a person might be considered a high-risk driver.

A DUI Offense

Your car insurance will be expensive if you get caught driving under the influence. You’ll also probably have to file an SR-22 in your state.

You may need to keep the SR-22 auto insurance coverage for several years, meaning you can expect to pay high coverage rates.

Multiple Tickets

One speeding ticket may not increase your insurance rates, but if you have several, expect to pay higher-than-average rates for coverage. Learn more about the best auto insurance companies for drivers with speeding tickets.

Young and First-Time Drivers

Young drivers are statistically more likely to get in a car accident. Consequently, auto insurance for young adults is more expensive. Take a look at the table below to compare rates for young drivers:

One way to avoid expensive rates is to add yourself to an experienced driver’s policy. If you can, join your parent’s insurance policy to help you save on your premiums.

Coverage Lapse

If you let your auto insurance lapse, expect to pay higher rates when searching for coverage again.  Insurance companies will see you as a risk, and you may have difficulty finding a company willing to insure you, so compare rates from the best auto insurance companies that don’t penalize for a lapse in coverage.

Fortunately, your rates will decrease over time if you maintain a clean driving record.

Poor Credit

While credit may not sound like it should affect auto insurance rates, people with bad credit are statistically more likely to get in a car accident.

You’ll probably pay higher rates for auto insurance coverage if you have a low credit score. Some insurance companies don’t check your credit, but you’ll have to shop around online and compare rates from the best auto insurance companies for drivers with bad credit.

Other Serious Driving Violations

Other serious violations — like a hit and run, excessive speeding, reckless driving, and road rage — will increase your insurance premiums. Depending on your violation, you could also face severe penalties, like significant fines, a suspended or revoked license, or jail time.

How to Get Cheap High-Risk Auto Insurance Quotes

Finding car insurance with a bad driving record can be difficult, and cheap rates may seem impossible. Shopping and comparing quotes online is the best way to find affordable insurance rates in your area. However, you could also consider one or more of the following options:

• Raise your deductible. If you increase your auto insurance deductible, your rates will decrease. Unfortunately, you’ll pay more out of pocket if you’re in an accident.
• Take a safe driving course. Some companies may let you take a safe driving course to get cheaper rates. If you have a history of accidents or tickets, a defensive driving course may help balance out your bad driving record. Learn more about how to get a defensive driver auto insurance discount.
• Bundle your insurance. You can save on high-risk auto insurance by bundling policies. If you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy, see if you could bundle it with an auto insurance policy with the same company to save money.
• Improve your credit score. If you pay down your debts and improve your credit score, your high-risk auto insurance cost could decrease.

If you follow the steps above, you can find cheap rates with certain high-risk auto insurance companies. However, your rates will likely be more expensive than those for drivers with a clean driving record.

After three to five years, your driving record may be completely clean, allowing you to apply for cheap car insurance with virtually any company.

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How Auto Insurance for High-Risk Drivers Works

Expect to pay higher coverage rates if you’re a high-risk driver. However, finding the best car insurance with a suspended license or DUI on your record could be tricky, even if you’re willing to pay high coverage rates.

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— AutoInsurance.org (@AutoInsurance) July 22, 2023

When shopping for car insurance as a high-risk driver, the best way to find cheap rates is to shop online and compare quotes from multiple companies.

Your car insurance rates should decrease as time passes and your driving record improves. However, shopping around and comparing rates is always a good idea to ensure you aren’t paying too much for coverage.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

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