High-Risk Auto Insurance (2023)

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.

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 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:

• The General
• Safe Auto
• National General

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.

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