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Best car insurance for high-risk drivers (2024)

It’s harder for high-risk drivers to get cheap car insurance, but not impossible. High-risk drivers have usually been in an at-fault accident or have another violation on their records that makes them more likely to make a future claim.

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By

Andrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.&Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.
|

Reviewed by

Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Certified Financial PlannerIan Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.

Updated|5 min read

Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.

Policygenius content follows strict guidelines for editorial accuracy and integrity. Learn about our editorial standards and how we make money.

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.

A bar graph of the cheapest car insurance companies for high-risk drivers.

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

State Farm

$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

Erie

$1,181

$1,412

$1,651

$2,082

$2,887

$1,491

$3,112

GEICO

$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

Travelers

$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

Nationwide

$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.

Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today

We don't sell your information to third parties.

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

State Farm

$117

$1,398

MAPFRE

$122

$1,469

USAA

$129

$1,549

Erie

$138

$1,651

Auto-Owners

$145

$1,738

Travelers

$159

$1,907

COUNTRY Financial

$170

$2,043

GEICO

$173

$2,071

Farm Bureau

$174

$2,088

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

National General logo

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%

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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.

Authors

Andrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

Expert reviewer

Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.

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