Key takeaways
Drivers who companies believe are more likely to make a claim because of past claims, accidents, and violations need high-risk car insurance.
The cheapest companies for high-risk car insurance are NJM and State Farm.
The average cost of high-risk insurance is $234 per month, but your rates (and the cheapest company for you) will depend on your driving record.
You may have to get high-risk car insurance from a non-standard company or your state’s pool of “residual” companies if you can’t find coverage elsewhere.
Cheapest high-risk car insurance companies
We found the cheapest car insurance company for high-risk drivers in NJM. The average cost of high-risk car insurance from NJM is $139 per month, or $1,663 a year.
But since NJM is only available in five states, State Farm is the best and cheapest car insurance company for most high-risk drivers, since it’s available nearly everywhere.
The cheapest high-risk car insurance also depends on your driving record. That’s because companies weigh violations differently, so one car insurance company may have the cheapest rates for drivers with a DUI, while another might be the cheapest option for drivers with a recent accident on their records.
Company name | Clean record | Speeding ticket | At-fault accident | DUI | Bad credit | Reckless driving | Added new driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MAPFRE | $1,040 | $1,469 | $1,469 | $2,047 | $1,504 | $1,967 | $2,420 |
USAA | $1,044 | $1,338 | $1,549 | $2,110 | $2,042 | $1,616 | $1,687 |
$1,141 | $1,321 | $1,398 | $1,588 | $3,199 | $1,485 | $2,678 | |
Auto-Owners | $1,165 | $1,775 | $1,738 | $2,375 | $3,051 | $2,347 | $2,260 |
$1,181 | $1,412 | $1,651 | $2,082 | $2,887 | $1,491 | $3,112 | |
$1,192 | $2,119 | $2,071 | $3,047 | $1,885 | $2,645 | $1,856 | |
NJM | $1,262 | $1,620 | $1,337 | $1,620 | $2,117 | $1,620 | $1,853 |
$1,351 | $2,040 | $1,907 | $2,122 | $2,523 | $2,108 | $2,612 | |
COUNTRY Financial | $1,416 | $2,261 | $2,043 | $2,355 | $2,251 | $2,340 | $2,756 |
$1,475 | $1,969 | $2,468 | $3,306 | $2,166 | $3,196 | $2,400 |
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Companies sorted from cheapest to most expensive for drivers with clean records.
Who needs high-risk car insurance?
You’ll have to get high-risk car insurance if insurance companies think you’re more likely to make a claim.
High-risk insurance isn’t a separate kind of policy. It’s just a normal car insurance policy that covers a high-risk driver, but the extra risk involved usually means high-risk car insurance is expensive.
Insurance companies may label you a “high-risk driver” if you have a history of dangerous driving behavior, like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUI citations, and other moving violations.
You can also be a good driver and still be considered high-risk by car insurance companies. This might be the case if you:
Haven’t been licensed for very long
Don’t have a credit history or have poor credit
Have a lapse in your insurance coverage
Are a teenage driver
It’s harder to find affordable insurance once companies consider you a high-risk driver. Car insurance companies that are typically cheap can decline to cover you if you have a record with high-risk behavior. Those that will cover you will charge higher premiums.
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Cheapest insurance for high-risk drivers after an accident: NJM
NJM is the cheapest insurance for high-risk drivers who have been in an at-fault accident, but it’s only available in a handful of states. State Farm, which is only a few dollars more expensive per month than NJM, is a cheap option that offers coverage in almost every state.
Company | Annual monthly rate | Annual average rate |
|---|---|---|
NJM | $111 | $1,337 |
$117 | $1,398 | |
MAPFRE | $122 | $1,469 |
USAA | $129 | $1,549 |
$138 | $1,651 | |
Auto-Owners | $145 | $1,738 |
$159 | $1,907 | |
COUNTRY Financial | $170 | $2,043 |
$173 | $2,071 | |
Farm Bureau | $174 | $2,088 |
Cheapest high-risk insurance after an accident in every state
State | Cheapest company | Average annual rate |
Alabama | USAA | $1,546 |
Alaska | State Farm | $1,157 |
Arizona | State Farm | $1,417 |
Arkansas | State Farm | $1,128 |
California | Wawanesa | $1,488 |
Colorado | American National | $1,232 |
Connecticut | GEICO | $1,185 |
Delaware | Travelers | $1,360 |
District of Columbia | State Farm | $1,750 |
Florida | State Farm | $1,882 |
Georgia | Auto-Owners | $1,395 |
Hawaii | State Farm | $1,163 |
Idaho | State Farm | $669 |
Illinois | Pekin | $920 |
Indiana | USAA | $1,093 |
Iowa | State Farm | $821 |
Kansas | State Farm | $1,251 |
Kentucky | Farm Bureau | $2,029 |
Louisiana | State Farm | $1,910 |
Maine | State Farm | $889 |
Maryland | USAA | $1,318 |
Massachusetts | USAA | $1,432 |
Michigan | USAA | $1,768 |
Minnesota | State Farm | $1,133 |
Mississippi | State Farm | $1,306 |
Missouri | USAA | $1,039 |
Montana | State Farm | $1,169 |
Nebraska | Auto-Owners | $1,503 |
Nevada | State Farm | $1,372 |
New Hampshire | State Farm | $967 |
New Jersey | NJM | $1,337 |
New Mexico | State Farm | $1,033 |
New York | Kemper | $1,429 |
North Carolina | Erie | $838 |
North Dakota | State Farm | $1,078 |
Ohio | State Farm | $865 |
Oklahoma | State Farm | $1,186 |
Oregon | State Farm | $1,081 |
Pennsylvania | State Farm | $1,142 |
Rhode Island | State Farm | $1,311 |
South Carolina | American National | $968 |
South Dakota | State Farm | $1,258 |
Tennessee | State Farm | $1,010 |
Texas | State Farm | $1,280 |
Utah | State Farm | $1,456 |
Vermont | State Farm | $754 |
Virginia | State Farm | $1,002 |
Washington | PEMCO | $1,147 |
West Virginia | State Farm | $1,178 |
Wisconsin | State Farm | $958 |
Wyoming | USAA | $1,268 |
Cheapest insurance for high-risk drivers after a DUI: State Farm
State Farm has cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers after a DUI. Car insurance is much more expensive following a DUI — it’s even more expensive than after an at-fault accident — but coverage from State Farm costs $1,857 less than average per year.
Company name | Annual monthly rate | Annual average rate |
|---|---|---|
State Farm | $132 | $1,588 |
NJM | $135 | $1,620 |
MAPFRE | $171 | $2,047 |
Erie | $174 | $2,082 |
USAA | $176 | $2,110 |
Travelers | $177 | $2,122 |
American Family | $179 | $2,149 |
Farm Bureau | $180 | $2,156 |
Progressive | $193 | $2,318 |
COUNTRY Financial | $196 | $2,355 |
Cheapest high-risk insurance after a DUI in every state
State | Cheapest company | Average annual rate |
Alabama | State Farm | $1,394 |
Alaska | State Farm | $1,068 |
Arizona | State Farm | $1,309 |
Arkansas | State Farm | $1,054 |
California | Wawanesa | $1,748 |
Colorado | American National | $1,308 |
Connecticut | State Farm | $1,290 |
Delaware | State Farm | $1,287 |
District of Columbia | State Farm | $1,610 |
Florida | State Farm | $1,753 |
Georgia | State Farm | $1,480 |
Hawaii | State Farm | $1,069 |
Idaho | State Farm | $618 |
Illinois | State Farm | $1,039 |
Indiana | State Farm | $1,011 |
Iowa | State Farm | $773 |
Kansas | State Farm | $1,183 |
Kentucky | State Farm | $2,044 |
Louisiana | State Farm | $1,786 |
Maine | State Farm | $818 |
Maryland | GEICO | $1,192 |
Massachusetts | GEICO | $1,820 |
Michigan | Progressive | $1,811 |
Minnesota | State Farm | $1,060 |
Mississippi | State Farm | $1,178 |
Missouri | State Farm | $1,200 |
Montana | State Farm | $1,103 |
Nebraska | State Farm | $1,654 |
Nevada | State Farm | $1,268 |
New Hampshire | USAA | $1,172 |
New Jersey | NJM | $1,620 |
New Mexico | State Farm | $1,033 |
New York | Progressive | $1,190 |
North Carolina | National General | $2,828 |
North Dakota | State Farm | $1,013 |
Ohio | State Farm | $799 |
Oklahoma | State Farm | $1,120 |
Oregon | State Farm | $921 |
Pennsylvania | State Farm | $1,059 |
Rhode Island | State Farm | $964 |
South Carolina | American National | $1,062 |
South Dakota | State Farm | $1,198 |
Tennessee | State Farm | $936 |
Texas | Redpoint | $1,356 |
Utah | State Farm | $1,342 |
Vermont | State Farm | $696 |
Virginia | State Farm | $927 |
Washington | State Farm | $1,231 |
West Virginia | State Farm | $1,100 |
Wisconsin | State Farm | $896 |
Wyoming | State Farm | $1,343 |
Cheapest insurance for high-risk drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm
We found that State Farm has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers with a speeding ticket on their records. The cost of high-risk insurance for drivers who have been caught speeding is still $1,230 less per year than average at State Farm.
Company | Annual monthly rate | Annual average rate |
|---|---|---|
State Farm | $110 | $1,321 |
USAA | $112 | $1,338 |
Erie | $118 | $1,412 |
MAPFRE | $122 | $1,469 |
NJM | $135 | $1,620 |
Auto-Owners | $148 | $1,775 |
Farm Bureau | $161 | $1,934 |
Nationwide | $164 | $1,969 |
American Family | $167 | $2,005 |
Travelers | $170 | $2,040 |
Cheapest high-risk insurance after a speeding ticket in every state
State | Cheapest company | Average annual rate |
Alabama | USAA | $1,244 |
Alaska | State Farm | $1,068 |
Arizona | State Farm | $1,309 |
Arkansas | State Farm | $1,054 |
California | Wawanesa | $1,399 |
Colorado | American National | $1,042 |
Connecticut | GEICO | $982 |
Delaware | State Farm | $1,287 |
District of Columbia | Erie | $1,435 |
Florida | State Farm | $1,753 |
Georgia | Auto-Owners | $1,338 |
Hawaii | GEICO | $785 |
Idaho | State Farm | $618 |
Illinois | Pekin | $864 |
Indiana | State Farm | $880 |
Iowa | State Farm | $773 |
Kansas | State Farm | $1,183 |
Kentucky | Progressive | $2,004 |
Louisiana | State Farm | $1,786 |
Maine | USAA | $724 |
Maryland | USAA | $1,005 |
Massachusetts | USAA | $1,193 |
Michigan | USAA | $1,769 |
Minnesota | State Farm | $1,060 |
Mississippi | State Farm | $1,178 |
Missouri | USAA | $944 |
Montana | State Farm | $1,103 |
Nebraska | Nationwide | $1,349 |
Nevada | State Farm | $1,268 |
New Hampshire | State Farm | $762 |
New Jersey | GEICO | $997 |
New Mexico | State Farm | $1,033 |
New York | Progressive | $1,348 |
North Carolina | Utica | $1,017 |
North Dakota | USAA | $1,006 |
Ohio | State Farm | $799 |
Oklahoma | State Farm | $1,120 |
Oregon | State Farm | $921 |
Pennsylvania | State Farm | $1,059 |
Rhode Island | State Farm | $964 |
South Carolina | American National | $943 |
South Dakota | State Farm | $1,198 |
Tennessee | State Farm | $936 |
Texas | State Farm | $1,091 |
Utah | USAA | $1,333 |
Vermont | State Farm | $696 |
Virginia | State Farm | $927 |
Washington | PEMCO | $1,062 |
West Virginia | USAA | $1,059 |
Wisconsin | USAA | $842 |
Wyoming | USAA | $1,153 |
Cheapest insurance for high-risk drivers with bad credit: MAPFRE
MAPFRE is the cheapest car insurance company for high-risk drivers with bad credit, but it doesn’t offer coverage everywhere. GEICO, the second-cheapest high-risk insurance for drivers with bad credit, is available in every state.
Company | Annual monthly rate | Annual average rate |
|---|---|---|
MAPFRE | $125 | $1,504 |
GEICO | $157 | $1,885 |
USAA | $170 | $2,042 |
NJM | $176 | $2,117 |
Nationwide | $181 | $2,166 |
COUNTRY Financial | $188 | $2,251 |
Travelers | $210 | $2,523 |
Kemper | $224 | $2,686 |
Erie | $241 | $2,887 |
Farm Bureau | $250 | $3,000 |
Cheapest high-risk insurance with bad credit in every state
State | Cheapest company | Average annual rate |
Alabama | Safeway | $1,632 |
Alaska | USAA | $1,701 |
Arizona | GEICO | $1,561 |
Arkansas | USAA | $1,804 |
Colorado | GEICO | $1,636 |
Connecticut | GEICO | $1,254 |
Delaware | GEICO | $2,178 |
District of Columbia | GEICO | $2,294 |
Florida | GEICO | $3,198 |
Georgia | GEICO | $1,912 |
Idaho | GEICO | $980 |
Illinois | Pekin | $1,308 |
Indiana | GEICO | $1,269 |
Iowa | West Bend | $1,531 |
Kansas | GEICO | $1,478 |
Kentucky | GEICO | $2,072 |
Louisiana | USAA | $2,482 |
Maine | USAA | $1,043 |
Maryland | GEICO | $1,255 |
Michigan | GEICO | $1,756 |
Minnesota | West Bend | $1,644 |
Mississippi | National General | $1,752 |
Missouri | USAA | $1,386 |
Montana | GEICO | $1,750 |
Nebraska | Nationwide | $1,570 |
Nevada | GEICO | $1,550 |
New Hampshire | USAA | $1,262 |
New Jersey | Selective | $2,023 |
New Mexico | GEICO | $1,478 |
New York | GEICO | $1,637 |
North Carolina | National General | $997 |
North Dakota | USAA | $1,416 |
Ohio | GEICO | $1,148 |
Oklahoma | USAA | $1,756 |
Oregon | GEICO | $1,645 |
Pennsylvania | Nationwide | $1,487 |
Rhode Island | State Farm | $1,982 |
South Carolina | USAA | $1,671 |
South Dakota | Kemper | $1,369 |
Tennessee | USAA | $1,544 |
Texas | Redpoint | $1,356 |
Utah | Nationwide | $1,720 |
Vermont | GEICO | $1,092 |
Virginia | Nationwide | $1,517 |
West Virginia | USAA | $1,633 |
Wisconsin | GEICO | $1,159 |
Wyoming | American National | $1,125 |
Cheapest insurance for high-risk drivers after reckless driving: State Farm
State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company for high-risk drivers with a reckless driving citation on their record. We found that high-risk coverage from State Farm costs $124 per month or $1,485 per year.
Company | Annual monthly rate | Annual average rate |
|---|---|---|
State Farm | $124 | $1,485 |
Erie | $124 | $1,491 |
USAA | $135 | $1,616 |
NJM | $135 | $1,620 |
MAPFRE | $164 | $1,967 |
Travelers | $176 | $2,108 |
Farm Bureau | $180 | $2,156 |
COUNTRY Financial | $195 | $2,340 |
Auto-Owners | $196 | $2,347 |
American Family | $203 | $2,439 |
Cheapest insurance for high-risk drivers after reckless driving
State | Cheapest company | Average annual rate |
Alabama | State Farm | $1,394 |
Alaska | State Farm | $1,068 |
Arizona | State Farm | $1,309 |
Arkansas | State Farm | $1,054 |
California | Wawanesa | $1,748 |
Colorado | State Farm | $1,384 |
Connecticut | State Farm | $1,290 |
Delaware | State Farm | $1,287 |
District of Columbia | Erie | $1,435 |
Florida | State Farm | $1,753 |
Georgia | State Farm | $1,480 |
Hawaii | State Farm | $1,069 |
Idaho | State Farm | $618 |
Illinois | State Farm | $1,039 |
Indiana | State Farm | $1,011 |
Iowa | State Farm | $773 |
Kansas | State Farm | $1,183 |
Kentucky | State Farm | $2,044 |
Louisiana | State Farm | $1,786 |
Maine | State Farm | $818 |
Maryland | USAA | $1,177 |
Massachusetts | USAA | $1,783 |
Michigan | Progressive | $2,012 |
Minnesota | State Farm | $1,060 |
Mississippi | State Farm | $1,178 |
Missouri | USAA | $1,182 |
Montana | State Farm | $1,103 |
Nebraska | State Farm | $1,654 |
Nevada | State Farm | $1,268 |
New Hampshire | USAA | $982 |
New Jersey | NJM | $1,620 |
New Mexico | State Farm | $1,033 |
New York | Kemper | $1,402 |
North Carolina | Erie | $1,541 |
North Dakota | State Farm | $1,013 |
Ohio | State Farm | $799 |
Oklahoma | State Farm | $1,120 |
Oregon | State Farm | $921 |
Pennsylvania | State Farm | $1,059 |
Rhode Island | State Farm | $964 |
South Carolina | American National | $1,145 |
South Dakota | State Farm | $1,198 |
Tennessee | State Farm | $936 |
Texas | Farm Bureau | $1,133 |
Utah | State Farm | $1,342 |
Vermont | State Farm | $696 |
Virginia | State Farm | $927 |
Washington | State Farm | $1,231 |
West Virginia | State Farm | $1,100 |
Wisconsin | State Farm | $896 |
Wyoming | State Farm | $1,343 |
Cheapest high-risk car insurance for new drivers: Farm Bureau
The cheapest car insurance for adding a new driver under 25 years old is USAA, but it’s only available if you’re in the military or part of a military family. Farm Bureau is the cheapest company for most people adding a newly-licensed (meaning high-risk) driver to a policy.
Company name | Annual monthly rate | Annual average rate |
|---|---|---|
USAA* | $141 | $1,687 |
Farm Bureau | $154 | $1,850 |
NJM | $154 | $1,853 |
GEICO | $155 | $1,856 |
Auto-Owners | $188 | $2,260 |
Nationwide | $200 | $2,400 |
MAPFRE | $202 | $2,420 |
American Family | $203 | $2,440 |
Amica | $217 | $2,608 |
Travelers | $218 | $2,612 |
Cheapest high-risk insurance to add a new driver in every state
State | Cheapest company | Average annual cost |
Alabama | USAA | $1,910 |
Alaska | USAA | $2,315 |
Arizona | GEICO | $1,755 |
Arkansas | Farm Bureau | $2,198 |
California | Wawanesa | $2,144 |
Colorado | National General | $1,750 |
Connecticut | General Electric | $1,589 |
Delaware | USAA | $3,035 |
District of Columbia | GEICO | $2,591 |
Florida | UAIC | $3,377 |
Georgia | USAA | $2,236 |
Hawaii | USAA | $1,023 |
Idaho | State Farm | $1,637 |
Illinois | Pekin | $1,586 |
Indiana | Allstate | $1,813 |
Iowa | IMT | $1,478 |
Kansas | USAA | $2,011 |
Kentucky | GEICO | $2,630 |
Louisiana | Farm Bureau | $2,866 |
Maine | Auto-Owners | $1,457 |
Maryland | USAA | $1,881 |
Massachusetts | USAA | $2,758 |
Michigan | Farm Bureau | $1,319 |
Minnesota | Farm Bureau | $1,221 |
Mississippi | USAA | $2,168 |
Missouri | USAA | $1,550 |
Montana | USAA | $1,988 |
Nebraska | Farm Bureau | $1,953 |
Nevada | GEICO | $2,786 |
New Hampshire | MMG | $1,867 |
New Jersey | GEICO | $1,619 |
New Mexico | USAA | $1,909 |
New York | Progressive | $2,588 |
North Carolina | State Farm | $1,742 |
North Dakota | North Star | $1,746 |
Ohio | GEICO | $1,853 |
Oklahoma | American Farmers and Ranchers | $1,883 |
Oregon | COUNTRY | $2,342 |
Pennsylvania | Nationwide | $2,035 |
Rhode Island | GEICO | $3,621 |
South Carolina | State Auto | $1,526 |
South Dakota | Farm Bureau | $2,551 |
Tennessee | USAA | $2,295 |
Texas | Redpoint | $1,356 |
Utah | Farm Bureau | $2,121 |
Vermont | Auto-Owners | $1,704 |
Virginia | USAA | $2,066 |
Washington | PEMCO | $2,131 |
West Virginia | GEICO | $2,466 |
Wisconsin | GEICO | $1,513 |
Wyoming | USAA | $2,409 |
Cheap high-risk car insurance after a violation
According to our analysis, State Farm has the cheapest high-risk car insurance after most driving violations. Other than State Farm, Auto-Owners, MAPFRE, and USAA all have cheap rates for some high-risk drivers, depending on their records.
The best way to find cheap car insurance with a bad record is by comparing high-risk insurance quotes from more than one company. When you compare quotes, it’s easy to see the company with the best rates.
High-risk behavior | Cheapest company | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
Adding a newly licensed driver | Farm Bureau | $154 |
At-fault accident | NJM | $111 |
Driving with a suspended license | State Farm | $124 |
Driving with an open container | State Farm | $115 |
Driving with expired registration | Auto-Owners | $107 |
Driving without lights | State Farm | $106 |
DUI | State Farm | $132 |
Failure to stop at a red light | State Farm | $108 |
Following too closely | Auto-Owners | $108 |
Hit-and-run | State Farm | $127 |
Not at-fault accident | State Farm | $97 |
Passing a school bus | State Farm | $111 |
Reckless driving | State Farm | $124 |
Speeding ticket | State Farm | $110 |
Behaviors are organized in alphabetical order.
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Where to find high-risk car insurance if you can’t get covered
Companies are allowed to decide not to cover drivers who need high-risk car insurance. If insurance companies have denied you coverage because of your record, your best bet is to turn to companies that specialize in high-risk insurance.
There are a few companies that specialize in offering car insurance to high-risk drivers with multiple violations on their records, or drivers who are required to have an SR-22 or an FR-44.
Some popular high-risk auto insurance companies, sometimes called non-standard insurance companies, include:
Bristol West
Dairyland
Direct Auto
Freeway Insurance
The General
State Auto
National General
UAIC
One downside of these high-risk auto insurance companies and others like them is that they can be more expensive than average.
Also, depending on the company, the coverage you get may be more bare-bones than what a standard auto insurer offers. The customer service may not be as good, either.
Our pick for the best non-standard insurer, National General
We think that National General has affordable rates, solid coverage offerings, and good customer service compared to other high-risk companies.
Our rating: 3.5 out of of 5 ★
What you get: All standard insurance coverages, plus choice of roadside assistance and up to $500 for lodging and transportation after a breakdown.
Cost: $298 per month for high-risk drivers
What is a high-risk insurance pool?
If you’re a high-risk driver and you can’t get car insurance from a standard or non-standard company, you can get auto insurance coverage from your state’s high-risk insurance pool as a last resort.
High-risk insurance pools are a part of the residual market, which is different from the “voluntary” market where most people get insurance. The difference is that insurance companies on the voluntary market agree to cover you. States require companies that sell voluntary insurance to accept high-risk drivers on the residual market, too.
Because of this, you can’t be denied coverage on the residual market because you’re a high-risk driver. Some states, like Maryland and California have their own high-risk pools. But most of the time you can find high-risk car insurance plans where you live by visiting the website for your state’s Office of Financial Services.
What does high-risk car insurance cost?
The average cost of high-risk auto insurance is $234 per month, or $2,802 a year. That’s $1,164 more per year than the national average cost of car insurance for a driver with a clean record.
While insurance for a high-risk driver is always going to cost more than for someone with a clean record, the exact cost of high-risk insurance depends on the company and violation (along with other factors that change with each driver).
Incident | Average monthly rate | Compared to clean record |
|---|---|---|
Adding a young driver | $230 | 69% |
At-fault accident | $233 | 72% |
Driving with a suspended license | $278 | 105% |
Driving with an open container | $233 | 71% |
Driving with expired registration | $195 | 44% |
Driving without lights | $195 | 43% |
DUI | $287 | 111% |
Failure to stop at a red light | $202 | 48% |
Following too closely | $206 | 51% |
Hit-and-run | $297 | 118% |
Not at-fault accident | $163 | 20% |
Passing a school bus | $215 | 58% |
Reckless driving | $281 | 107% |
Speeding ticket | $213 | 56% |
How to get cheap high-risk car insurance
Car insurance for high-risk drivers is more expensive, but you can still find cheap rates — it just takes a little more work.
Get quotes before you buy: The easiest (and quickest) way for most high-risk drivers to find cheap car insurance is by shopping around for quotes, and going with the best company for you instead of the most familiar name.
Know when to switch providers: High-risk drivers should compare quotes each time their policies are up for renewal, not just the first time. This way, you can switch to a cheaper policy if your rates get too high.
Stay locked-in at a lower rate: You shouldn’t switch companies right after an accident. Your rates won’t go up until the end of your policy term, so avoid paying higher premiums for as long as you can.
Sign up for safe-driving classes: Many insurance companies offer cheaper car insurance to drivers who take an approved defensive or safe driving course. Look into these classes to help balance out the effects of any past driving violations.
Bundle your car insurance: If you get your car insurance from the same company as your home, renters, or motorcycle insurance, most companies will give you a large discount for bundling.
Continue driving safely: Accidents and traffic violations will fall off your record over time as long as you avoid any more incidents. As long as you drive well, your rates should return to normal after three to five years.
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Frequently asked questions
What makes car insurance high-risk?
A high-risk car insurance policy is just coverage for a high-risk driver. An insurance company may consider you high-risk if you’ve been involved in an at-fault accident or have a history of traffic tickets and driving violations. High-risk drivers may also have bad credit or have only been licensed for a short time.
Are there any companies that don't check your driving record?
No, every car insurance company will check your driving record when you buy coverage. That said, some companies are more likely to have cheap rates for high-risk drivers.
Will big insurance companies insure a high-risk driver?
Yes, big companies, including State Farm, GEICO, and others, will insure high-risk drivers. You may have to turn to smaller companies that specialize in insurance for high-risk drivers if you have multiple violations on your record.
How long do you stay on high-risk auto insurance?
You’ll have to stay on high-risk auto insurance and pay more for coverage until companies no longer think you’re more likely to make a claim. You will have to stay on a high-risk plan until after you haven’t had an accident or a ticket for a few years, or until you’ve improved your credit score.
