Does a criminal record affect auto insurance rates? (2024)
A criminal record may affect auto insurance rates if the violation relates to your driving record. For example, drivers with a DUI pay around 74% more for coverage. Below, we'll explain how a felony or misdemeanor can affect car insurance rates and how to find cheap car insurance for criminal convictions.
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Kristen Gryglik
Licensed Insurance Agent
Kristen is a licensed insurance agent working in the greater Boston area. She has over 20 years of experience counseling individuals and businesses on which insurance policies best fit their needs and budgets. She knows everyone has their own unique needs and circumstances, and she is passionate about counseling others on which policy is right for them. Licensed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire,...
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UPDATED: Feb 26, 2024
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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: Feb 26, 2024
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
- Insurance companies do check criminal record and credit rating
- A criminal record only impacts rates if it involves your driving record
- Drivers with a DUI get charged over $200 monthly for auto insurance
Your criminal record shouldn’t impact your auto insurance rates unless it was a violation related to driving, such as a DUI, reckless driving, or a moving violation. However, it’s common for the best auto insurance companies, such as Geico, to run a credit and background check when applying. (Read More: Geico Auto Insurance Review)
If your criminal record caused car insurance rates to go up, you can always find cheap high-risk auto insurance by shopping around with the top providers. Enter your ZIP code above to find cheap car insurance for criminal convictions.
Exploring the Impact of Criminal Records on Auto Insurance Rates
If you have a criminal record, you should know that auto insurance companies do check police records. Several types of criminal background checks can be done. An insurance company may choose to run a criminal county or federal criminal background check.
A company will also verify an applicant’s motor vehicle report and run a credit check. While you may consider this personal information and want limited use of your criminal record, insurance companies must determine how much of a risk you present as a driver. A credit check shows financial responsibility, and a motor vehicle report shows prior accidents and violations.
From a criminal record, an insurance company can review felony charges and serious situations involving driving under the influence. Criminal traffic offenses also impact the cost of auto insurance.Kalyn Johnson Insurance Claims Support & Sr. Adjuster
A DUI charge on your record will create a significant rate hike, as evidenced by the following table of rates:
Insurance Company | Clean Record | One DUI | Percent Change |
---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $160 | $270 | 69% |
American Family | $117 | $194 | 66% |
Farmers | $139 | $193 | 39% |
Geico | $80 | $216 | 170% |
Liberty Mutual | $174 | $313 | 79% |
Nationwide | $115 | $237 | 106% |
Progressive | $105 | $140 | 33% |
State Farm | $86 | $112 | 30% |
Travelers | $99 | $206 | 107% |
USAA | $59 | $108 | 83% |
The greater your number of DUI violations, the higher your insurance rates climb. Find cheap auto insurance after a DUI by comparing rates, coverage options, and more.
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How Long a Criminal Record Impacts Car Insurance
When an insurance company checks your history, such as a Geico criminal record check, issues with DUIs, reckless driving, or hit-and-run charges will be brought to light. Though some traffic violations and charges drop off a driving record after three to five years of the occurrence, this isn’t the case with a criminal record. These stay for a lot longer, and charges that never resulted in conviction can be included.
Felony convictions can last for years without expunction or nondisclosure requirements on a DUI conviction. Classifications among misdemeanors, unclassified, felonies, or repeat offenses can stay on a record from five years up to a lifetime.
Read More: DUI Defined
Car insurance companies follow a standard look-back period on a driving record, which is generally between three to five years. Speeding tickets and other violations tend to roll off the record during this time, but criminal charges are discovered through the criminal background check. Learn more about whether a speeding ticket affects auto insurance rates.
If you have served your sentence for a crime, you could petition to have your record expunged. Though the laws vary across the nation, the end result of an expungement is the court wiping your record clean.
Other Auto Insurance Options for High-Risk Drivers
Some insurance companies specialize in offering car insurance to drivers who are considered high risk. Reading through car insurance company reviews will help you find the best auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers and understand what you can get for your money, but you should expect to pay much more than the average insured.
If your criminal record or driving record has led to the suspension of your license, you may have a harder time getting the type of auto insurance coverage you need. While you wouldn’t legally be allowed to drive with a suspended or revoked license, most states require registered vehicles to have car insurance. You may still find coverage available using an approved driver who insures the vehicle.
More About Auto Insurance With a Criminal Record
You may not be able to do anything about your past driving record or your criminal history. However, with time, the situation could improve to where you are eligible for lower auto insurance premiums.
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Practicing safe driving habits, obeying all traffic laws, and avoiding criminal activity can help you avoid high insurance rates and lower your risk as a driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does having a criminal record affect auto insurance rates?
Yes, having a criminal record can potentially affect your auto insurance rates. Insurance companies consider various factors when determining rates, and a criminal record is one such factor that might influence the premiums you pay.
Do car insurance companies check criminal record?
Yes, auto insurance companies will check your criminal record when you apply for coverage since many offenses, such as DUIs and reckless driving, relate to your driving.
What types of criminal records can impact auto insurance rates?
Certain types of criminal records can impact auto insurance rates more than others. Offenses such as DUI (Driving Under the Influence), reckless driving, hit-and-run, or other serious traffic violations can significantly affect your insurance rates.
How does a criminal record affect auto insurance rates?
When you have a criminal record related to driving offenses, insurance companies perceive you as a higher risk. They believe that individuals with a history of criminal behavior behind the wheel are more likely to engage in risky driving practices, leading to an increased probability of accidents or claims. Consequently, insurers may charge higher premiums to offset this perceived risk.
Will my auto insurance rates be affected if my criminal record is unrelated to driving?
In general, if your criminal record is unrelated to driving, it may not directly impact your auto insurance rates. However, certain offenses like fraud or theft, which could reflect on your overall character and responsibility, might still be considered by insurance companies during the underwriting process. This evaluation could potentially affect your rates.
Can I still get auto insurance if I have a criminal record?
Yes, even with a criminal record, you can still obtain auto insurance coverage. However, you may face challenges in finding an insurance provider willing to offer you coverage, especially if your record includes severe driving offenses. Some insurers may decline your application or provide coverage at higher rates due to the perceived risk associated with your criminal record.
What is a criminal charge?
There is a difference between being charged with a crime and being convicted of a crime. These differences will also impact the cost of car insurance. If a criminal proceeding takes place, you can expect the following:
- To be charged with a crime
- To be arrested for the charges issued
- To face possible conviction from a jury or judge
A criminal record will show court hearings, even if you are charged but not convicted of DUI. Each company places a different weight on DUI charges and convictions. Still, the idea is that a previous situation involving risky driving behaviors can lead to you needing to purchase high-risk insurance.
What is a high-risk insurance rate?
Insurance companies assess a potential insured’s risk when processing an application. Those with higher risks are assumed to cost the insurance company more money than the average, safe driver. As a response to this risk, insurance is more costly for those who have engaged in irresponsible driving behaviors or have a record of instability.
For some individuals with several incidents on their criminal or driving records, an insurance company may deny coverage completely. These individuals could even be specifically listed on a policy as uninsured.
If you share a policy with a spouse, parent, or another individual, the rate may increase for the policyholder. In geographic regions with high crime rates, you could face a more expensive insurance rate because the insurer is trying to mitigate the general risks of the location despite your innocence or participation.
Does my husband’s criminal record affect me?
If your spouse is listed as a driver on your policy with various offenses, such as a DUI or reckless driving, it could impact your rates.
Does a misdemeanor affect car insurance?
Misdemeanors only impact your auto insurance rates if they’re related to your driving record. For example, reckless driving, driving without insurance, and your first DUI are all misdemeanors that can increase your rates.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Kristen Gryglik
Licensed Insurance Agent
Kristen is a licensed insurance agent working in the greater Boston area. She has over 20 years of experience counseling individuals and businesses on which insurance policies best fit their needs and budgets. She knows everyone has their own unique needs and circumstances, and she is passionate about counseling others on which policy is right for them. Licensed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire,...
Licensed Insurance Agent
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.