Best High-Risk Car Insurance

Finding affordable car insurance for bad drivers can be tough, especially if standard companies reject your application or drop you as a customer. When searching for high-risk car insurance, you’ll need to do some research to find the best policy.

Drivers need high-risk auto insurance companies after serious traffic incidents, getting too many citations, and having low credit scores. Some companies like Geico and State Farm offer relatively affordable rates for high-risk drivers, but some drivers might need to find an alternative option. Learn more about State Farm car insurance coverage options. 

You can learn more about high-risk car insurance below, including which companies offer the lowest average rates. Then, compare quotes with as many companies as possible to find the lowest rates for your needs.

Which companies have the cheapest high-risk auto insurance?

Finding an affordable policy can be difficult when you need high-risk car insurance. Some companies refuse to work with high-risk drivers, especially if the driver has serious charges on their record, like a DWI or DUI.

Insurance companies look at the same factors to determine your rates but use them in unique formulas. So while your rates will be more expensive as a high-risk driver, some companies are more forgiving than others.

As you can see, standard companies like Geico and State Farm offer low rates for high-risk drivers. Some companies specifically sell insurance for high-risk drivers, such as The General, but rates aren’t usually as affordable. Learn more about Geico insurance coverage options.

Buying car insurance from a standard company is a better choice, even when you’re a high-risk driver. However, having a high-risk designation sometimes makes finding insurance a problem. 

The General has higher rates than standard companies but rejects fewer applicants. So you can find insurance with The General even when other companies reject you.

How do you get car insurance if companies won’t insure you?

Most states require drivers to buy car insurance before driving on a public street or registering a vehicle. If you live in a state with insurance requirements, how do you stay within the law if your insurance application gets rejected?

If standard insurance companies refuse to sell you a policy, you have two choices: non-standard companies and state-sponsored insurance plans.

Non-standard insurance companies are usually regional, meaning they’re unavailable statewide. Some famous non-standard insurance companies include The General car insurance, National General, Safe Auto, and Dairyland insurance.

State-sponsored insurance plans exist to provide coverage to people who can’t find an affordable policy elsewhere. For example, you can buy coverage through your state’s Automobile Insurance Plan. Contact the Service Office for more information about this insurance plan.

Regardless of your choice, rates are higher than at a standard insurance company because the customer base consists of more high-risk drivers.

Free Car Insurance Comparison

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

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Who counts as a high-risk driver?

A DUI charge might be the first thing that comes to mind, but drivers can get a high-risk designation for various reasons.

While having a high-risk designation always increases car insurance rates, some incidents have a stronger effect than others. For example, a DUI can double your rates, while having a low credit score usually results in a 60% increase.

Explore some of the most common reasons people get a high-risk designation below, but keep in mind that your rates vary based on several factors.

Drivers With a DUI or DWI

DUIs have one of the most significant impacts on your car insurance rates. If you have a DUI charge on your record, comparing rates with multiple companies is vital to find affordable rates. While your quotes will vary by your unique situation, you can get an idea of what you might pay for insurance after a DUI below.

As you can see, car insurance gets expensive after a DUI. Most states also require drivers to submit SR-22 car insurance forms. You’ll probably need to submit SR-22 forms for three years after a DUI.

Though rates are higher after a DUI, you don’t have to be stuck with them forever. DUIs usually fall off your record after seven years.

Drivers With Multiple Speeding Tickets

While one speeding ticket will increase your rates, it won’t make you a high-risk driver. However, multiple speeding tickets — or citations for other traffic violations — might classify you as a high-risk driver. Find out what you should expect with your car insurance rates after a ticket. 

Multiple tickets on your record will significantly increase how much you pay for car insurance. You might also face other serious consequences like getting dropped by your insurer or revoked registration.

Young or First Time Drivers

Most high-risk drivers get the designation because of their driving habits, but you’ll also pay higher rates as a young, inexperienced driver.

Young drivers are statistically more likely to drive recklessly, get into accidents, and engage in dangerous driving habits. Rates for young drivers are some of the highest for any demographic, and you can check how much you might pay below. Here you’ll find some tips on finding a car.

Although your rates are higher when you’re young, they’ll lower around age 25 if you keep your driving record clean. Young drivers don’t need high-risk car insurance just for being inexperienced. However, insurance companies judge young drivers harsher than adults so you might need high-risk insurance after even a minor incident.

Drivers With Low Credit Scores

Some factors that affect your car insurance rates are obvious, but one that often surprises drivers is credit scores. Insurance companies look at credit scores for two reasons when crafting rates. The first is that companies assume that people with high credit scores are more likely to pay their bills on time.

Secondly, companies charge up to 60% more for lower credit scores because they’re statistically more likely to file claims. Check below for the difference in average car insurance rates based on your credit score.

A low credit score doesn’t mean you can only buy from high-risk companies, but you might find lower rates with one. Comparing rates at multiple companies is especially important when you have a low credit score — you’ll likely overpay if you don’t.

While your rates will be higher with a low credit score, you can decrease your insurance costs by improving your score.

Drivers With a Coverage Lapse

Insurance companies consider a lapse in insurance as a red flag. Whether your lapse was a few days because you missed a monthly payment or a few years, you’ll see higher rates when you reactivate your coverage.

Drivers with a lapse in coverage are considered high risk for several reasons. First, insurance companies look at drivers as less responsible financially when they fail to maintain coverage.

Another reason is that driving without insurance is illegal in most states. As a result, companies view a driver with an active registration but no insurance as potentially breaking the law, resulting in higher rates.

Like other factors negatively affecting insurance rates, a lapse in coverage won’t hurt your prices forever. Instead, your rates will likely be higher for about six months before they return to normal. That’s why you should avoid lapses in coverage for lower rates.

Drivers With Other Serious Traffic Violations

You’ve already seen how serious infractions like DUIs or speeding tickets can affect your rates. Still, several other incidents can also impact your insurance and designate you as a high-risk driver.

Other high-risk infractions include:

• Hit-and-runs
• Reckless driving charges
• Road rage behaviors

Aside from needing high-risk car insurance, many traffic infractions have other consequences. For example, drivers can face hefty fines, license suspension, and even jail time for breaking traffic laws.

How do you find cheap car insurance for high-risk drivers?

Finding the best insurance for high-risk drivers can be difficult because rates are higher, and some companies might refuse to offer coverage. When you need car insurance as a high-risk driver, try the following tips:

• Consider driver education. Most companies offer a discount for taking a safe or defensive driving course. As a bonus, course completion usually makes past incidents look a little better.
• Raise your deductible. Your deductible is the portion you must pay before your insurance kicks in. You can save money on your monthly bill by choosing a higher deductible, but you’ll have to pay more if you need to file a claim.
• Look for discounts. Most insurance companies offer discounts to help drivers save money, including those specializing in high-risk coverage. Check with a representative to ensure you get every eligible discount.
• Lower your coverage. Although having more coverage means your car is better protected, it also costs more. You can save money by purchasing the minimum amount required in your state or by your car loan or lender.
• Improve your credit score. It might take longer than other options, but improving your score is a great way to lower your rates. When your score rises, your rates will change at your next policy renewal date.
• Compare quotes. Looking at as many companies as possible is integral to finding affordable car insurance for a bad driving record.

Of all the steps listed above, the most important is comparing quotes. All insurance companies charge more when you have high-risk violations on your driving record, but some are more forgiving than others.

Find the Best Insurance for High-Risk Drivers Today

Whether you’re looking for the best car insurance after a suspended license or a DUI charge, finding affordable coverage with non-standard companies can be a challenge. However, it’s not hopeless — companies like Geico and State Farm generally offer low rates regardless of your situation.

Although they’re a good choice for many drivers, Geico and State Farm aren’t the only options on the market. So compare rates with as many companies as possible to find the most affordable policy.

Free Car Insurance Comparison

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

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption