When is high-risk auto insurance required?
High-risk auto insurance is at least 20% more expensive than average. However, insurance companies like State Farm and American Family can get you cheaper high-risk insurance rates. If you’re a high-risk driver for traffic reasons, you may require SR-22 certification. But some non-driving factors could make you a high-risk driver. Shop around and compare multiple insurance companies to secure affordable high-risk car insurance.
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Schimri Yoyo
Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor
Schimri Yoyo is a financial advisor with active insurance licenses in seven states and over 20 years of professional experience. During his career, he has held roles at Foresters Financial, Strayer University, Minnesota Life, Securian Financial Services, Delaware Valley Advisors, Bridgemark Wealth Management, and Fidelity. Schimri is an educator eager to assist individuals and families in ach...
Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor
UPDATED: May 17, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We partner with top insurance providers. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
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: May 17, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We partner with top insurance providers. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
On This Page
- High-risk drivers usually pay more than average for auto insurance
- Too many accidents can put you in a high-risk pool
- A lapse in coverage could make you a high-risk driver
Were you identified as a high-risk driver by an auto insurance company? High-risk car insurance is connected to expensive insurance rates. Costly auto insurance for high-risk drivers may seem unfair, but there’s a way to secure more affordable quotes.
But where can you find cheap car insurance for bad drivers? How do auto insurance companies determine who’s high risk? Don’t worry — we’re here to answer your questions.
We’ll explain why you may need high-risk insurance, how a high-risk pool affects auto insurance rates, and which companies provide affordable high-risk coverage.
Continue reading to learn all about high-risk auto insurance. Enter your ZIP code in the free online quote tool to compare multiple insurance companies near you.
When is high-risk auto insurance required?
Car insurance for high-risk drivers may be required for many reasons. One of the most significant purposes for high-risk insurance is to offset the risk of a driver filing an auto insurance claim.
But what are the specific reasons why you need high-risk auto insurance? Check out the table below to see characteristics that define a high-risk driver.
| Driving Factors | Non-Driving Factors |
|---|---|
| At-fault claims | Age |
| Speeding tickets | Bad credit |
| Reckless driving | Location |
| Racing | Gaps in coverage |
| DUI | Vehicle use |
| Vehicle type | |
| License points |
Age indicates the driving experience of the insured, but location considers the risk of you filing claims based on the statistics of where you live. Gaps in coverage show how long you’ve been uninsured while owning a car.
Vehicle use is another way of showing how often you drive. Generally, cars don’t get in accidents when they’re not moving. Therefore, the more you drive, the more you’re at risk of an accident.
Although driving factors make sense, it may be confusing to understand why non-driving factors should affect your car insurance policy.
Even vehicle types can determine whether you’re at high risk. Some vehicle types have higher accident frequencies, and some vehicle types generate expensive car insurance claims.
Therefore, your auto insurance company may drive up your rates to balance the risk.
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Why does bad credit affect my auto insurance rates?
Car insurance for bad drivers can get worse if they have poor credit. High-risk car insurance companies issue more expensive rates to people with bad credit because it correlates to a high chance of filing claims.
Excellent credit does the opposite. Auto insurance companies correlate excellent and good credit with a low chance of filing a car insurance claim.
How much is auto insurance for high-risk drivers?
Car insurance for bad drivers and high-risk drivers is at least 20% more than average. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), full coverage auto insurance is $90 a month on average.
If you consider the minimum high-risk increase, you’ll pay around $108 per month. However, each driver is different. Some high-risk drivers have to pay up to 35% more for auto insurance.
Let’s look at how much you could pay for car insurance as a high-risk driver.
| Summary | Monthly Rates |
|---|---|
| Auto Insurance Rates for 15 Miles or More | $125 |
| Auto Insurance Rates for Drivers in their 20s | $135 |
| Auto Insurance Rates for Business Commuting | $138 |
| Auto Insurance Rates for Luxury Cars | $176 |
| Auto Insurance Rates for Sedans | $188 |
| Auto Insurance Rates for Bad Credit | $237 |
These estimates are not set in stone, and they could be cheaper or more expensive depending on the company that has your auto insurance policy. But don’t give up — you can get cheap car insurance for bad drivers.
You should look for high-risk car insurance companies that provide affordable insurance for bad drivers.
Which auto insurance companies provide high-risk insurance?
Some car insurance companies provide coverage specifically for high-risk drivers. This doesn’t mean they won’t take drivers with a clean driving record.
So, which companies are best for high-risk drivers or drivers with a bad driving record? Here is a list of high-risk auto insurance companies:
- Assurance America
- Bristol West
- Dairyland
- Falcon
- Gainsco
- Hallmark
- Infinity
- Kemper
- The General
- Safe Auto
These companies may provide high-risk auto insurance much faster than some of the more well-known companies in the United States. If these companies aren’t in your area, try to shop with regional or local car insurance companies.
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How much is automobile insurance for high-risk drivers at the best companies?
You can get high-risk car insurance from the best auto insurance companies in the nation. However, you could pay significantly more for insurance per month.
Let’s look at how much you’ll pay for car insurance with a bad driving record at the top companies.
| Companies | Monthly Rates with a Clean Driving Record | Monthly Rates w/ One Speeding Violation | Monthly Rates w/ One Accident | Monthly Rates w/ One DUI Conviction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $318 | $374 | $416 | $522 |
| American Family | $224 | $252 | $310 | $361 |
| Farmers | $288 | $340 | $377 | $393 |
| Geico | $179 | $220 | $266 | $406 |
| Liberty Mutual | $398 | $475 | $517 | $634 |
| Nationwide | $229 | $259 | $283 | $379 |
| Progressive | $283 | $334 | $398 | $331 |
| State Farm | $235 | $266 | $283 | $303 |
| Travelers | $287 | $355 | $357 | $478 |
| USAA | $161 | $183 | $210 | $292 |
Car insurance for a bad driving record is usually more expensive. Accidents and DUIs have the most impact on your driving record, so make sure you ask your auto insurance company about discounts.
Are high-risk auto insurance rates cheaper in different states?
Yes, they are. Each state has different averages for high-risk car insurance and those rates can decrease when you shop at the cheapest companies in the state.
Fortunately, our research found estimates of the most affordable car insurance companies in each state in America. Let’s examine the results.
| States | Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies | Monthly Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Allstate | $91 |
| Alaska | State Farm | $89 |
| Arizona | American Family | $98 |
| Arkansas | Southern Farm Bureau | $83 |
| California | Esurance | $156 |
| Colorado | State Farm | $107 |
| Connecticut | State Farm | $120 |
| Delaware | State Farm | $116 |
| District of Columbia | Erie | $87 |
| Florida | State Farm | $172 |
| Georgia | State Farm | $132 |
| Hawaii | State Farm | $78 |
| Idaho | State Farm | $51 |
| Illinois | State Farm | $89 |
| Indiana | Erie | $62 |
| Iowa | State Farm | $57 |
| Kansas | American Family | $74 |
| Kentucky | State Farm | $80 |
| Louisiana | Southern Farm Bureau | $166 |
| Maine | State Farm | $57 |
| Maryland | Erie | $145 |
| Massachusetts | Geico | $96 |
| Michigan | Nationwide | $334 |
| Minnesota | American Family | $88 |
| Mississippi | Travelers | $95 |
| Missouri | State Farm | $84 |
| Montana | State Farm | $69 |
| Nebraska | State Farm | $72 |
| Nevada | State Farm | $152 |
| New Hampshire | Concord Group | $68 |
| New Jersey | Geico | $126 |
| New Mexico | State Farm | $93 |
| New York | Erie | $225 |
| North Carolina | Nationwide | $115 |
| North Dakota | American Family | $50 |
| Ohio | American Family | $58 |
| Oklahoma | State Farm | $98 |
| Oregon | State Farm | $63 |
| Pennsylvania | State Farm | $77 |
| Rhode Island | State Farm | $96 |
| South Carolina | State Farm | $98 |
| South Dakota | State Farm | $63 |
| Tennessee | State Farm | $77 |
| Texas | Farmers | $96 |
| Utah | Geico | $98 |
| Vermont | State Farm | $67 |
| Virginia | Progressive | $62 |
| Washington | State Farm | $89 |
| West Virginia | Erie | $72 |
| Wisconsin | American Family | $66 |
| Wyoming | State Farm | $68 |
State Farm is the cheapest company overall, followed by American Family. Although these companies are known for their cheap auto insurance for bad drivers, your rates could differ when you get a quote.
How do I lower my risk profile for cheaper auto insurance rates?
You can lower your driving risk by keeping driving incidents to a minimum. If you can go more than six months without an accident or traffic violation, your risk may decrease.
Also, any increase in your credit score could get you more affordable insurance rates. Make sure you report any changes in your credit to your car insurance company.
Do I need SR-22 auto insurance?
Whether you need an SR-22 depends on your driving record. Insurance for a bad driving record comes with higher prices and SR-22 certification on most occasions.
Drivers who have too many accidents or severe traffic violations (DUI, reckless driving, or racing) may require an SR-22 form before their driving privileges are restored.
SR-22 certification is like a promise to your state that says you’ll carry the state minimum car insurance. Your state could suspend or revoke your driver’s license for failing to meet state requirements for auto insurance.
If you’re a high-risk driver in Indiana, you’re required to get SR-50 certification. Meanwhile, Florida and Virginia’s high-risk drivers who commit serious driving offenses need double the minimum requirements through FR-44 certification.
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High-Risk Auto Insurance: The Bottom Line
High-risk insurance companies provide affordable auto insurance for bad drivers. But you’ll need to qualify for auto insurance discounts.
If a car insurance company denies your request for coverage, keep shopping around with other companies.
It’s challenging to get cheap insurance for bad drivers, but it’s not impossible. You’ll have to compare auto insurance with multiple companies until you find a company that provides inexpensive car insurance coverage.
Now that you know more about high-risk auto insurance, you can compare multiple insurance companies in your area by using our free online quote tool below.
Frequently Asked Questions: High-Risk Auto Insurance
Do you want to know more about high-risk car insurance? Read these answers to frequently asked questions to learn more about high-risk insurance.
#1 — Can multiple speeding tickets make me a high-risk driver?
Yes, it can. Too many speeding violations drive up car insurance rates by 15% or more.
#2 — Is Geico good for high-risk drivers?
Yes, it is. Geico is one of the cheapest companies in the United States, and it provides auto insurance for high-risk drivers.
#3 — How long does high-risk auto insurance last?
High-risk car insurance can last at least three years. It takes a while to be considered a high-risk driver and it will take some time to lower your risk and begin to really save on your auto insurance again.
Enter your ZIP code below to compare auto insurance rates.
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Schimri Yoyo
Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor
Schimri Yoyo is a financial advisor with active insurance licenses in seven states and over 20 years of professional experience. During his career, he has held roles at Foresters Financial, Strayer University, Minnesota Life, Securian Financial Services, Delaware Valley Advisors, Bridgemark Wealth Management, and Fidelity. Schimri is an educator eager to assist individuals and families in ach...
Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor
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.