High-Risk Auto Insurance (2023)
High-risk car insurance can get expensive. Comparing quotes is the best way to find cheap car insurance for high-risk drivers.
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UPDATED: Dec 20, 2022
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Dec 20, 2022
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- High-risk drivers pay higher rates for car insurance coverage
- Various insurance companies offer policies to high-risk drivers
- Some companies may deny you coverage based on your driving record
When shopping for car insurance, you’ll find many coverage options. Unfortunately, you may pay higher auto insurance premiums if you’re a high-risk driver.
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.
Many things could put you in the high-risk category, like a DUI or several traffic accidents or violations. Unfortunately, once you’re considered high-risk, it may be difficult to find cheap car insurance for high-risk drivers.
Which companies offer the cheapest high-risk auto insurance?
If you’re considered high risk, you may find that certain insurance companies offer cheaper rates than others. For example, in most cases, Geico provides the most affordable car insurance for bad drivers.
Insurance Company | Rates with an Accident | Rates with a Clean Record | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $225 | $160 | ||
American Family | $176 | $117 | ||
Average | $172 | $120 | ||
Farmers | $198 | $139 | ||
Geico | $132 | $80 | ||
Liberty Mutual | $234 | $173 | ||
Nationwide | $161 | $115 | ||
Progressive | $186 | $105 | ||
State Farm | $102 | $86 | ||
Travelers | $139 | $99 | ||
Get Your Rates Quote Now |
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.
Insurance Company | Rates with a DUI | Rates with a Clean Record | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
State Farm | $112 | $86 | ||
Progressive | $140 | $105 | ||
Farmers | $192 | $139 | ||
American Family | $194 | $117 | ||
Travelers | $206 | $99 | ||
Geico | $216 | $80 | ||
Nationwide | $234 | $115 | ||
Allstate | $270 | $160 | ||
Liberty Mutual | $313 | $173 | ||
Average | $209 | $120 | ||
Get Your Rates Quote Now |
State Farm 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 providers to find the one offering the best insurance for high-risk drivers in your area.
Companies only offering high-risk coverage — 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 can I get insurance if insurers won’t cover me?
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 provider 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 providers include:
You can read more about a state-sponsored plan in the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office directory. Options vary by state.
What constitutes a high-risk driver?
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 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, you can expect to pay higher-than-average rates for coverage.
To learn more about how speeding tickets affect your insurance costs see How a Speeding Ticket Affects Your Car Insurance Rates.
Young and First-Time Drivers
Young drivers are statistically more likely to get in a car accident. Consequently, young and first-time drivers end up paying more for car insurance.
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, you can 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. 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 car 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 to find the best insurance company 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 can I get cheap high-risk car 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 deductible, you may find that your annual rates 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.
- Bundle your insurance. You can save on 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 auto insurance rates could decrease.
If you follow the steps above, you may be able to find cheap rates with certain companies. However, your rates will likely be more expensive than those ascribed to 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 provider in your area.
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Cheap Auto Insurance for High-Risk Drivers: The Bottom Line
You can 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is high-risk car insurance?
You’re a high-risk driver if you have a bad driving record stemming from accidents, tickets, or a DUI. Insurance costs for high-risk drivers are higher than rates for people with clean driving records.
What makes you a high-risk driver?
There are many different reasons you could be high risk, including:
- New driver
- Young driver
- Elderly driver
- Poor credit
- Numerous accidents
- Multiple tickets
- A DUI
- A coverage lapse
You’ll have higher car insurance rates as a high-risk driver, and you may also find it challenging to find coverage.
How much is high-risk car insurance?
High-risk drivers pay $2,240 annually for car insurance, while standard drivers pay around $1,379.
How can I lose my high-risk status?
Some of the best ways to no longer be considered a high-risk driver include:
- Improving your credit score
- Taking a driving course
- Shopping for cheaper rates
- Ensuring your coverage doesn’t lapse
Over time, your rates should improve as companies only look back three to five years on your driving record.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.