How to Get Car Insurance With a Suspended License
You’ll likely need car insurance even if your license is suspended to avoid coverage gaps and to get your license reinstated.
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Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
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Edited byMacKenzie Korris
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MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
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Reviewed byMark Friedlander
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Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Insurance Information Institute
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
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Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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Getting car insurance is often challenging with a suspended license — especially if your former insurance dropped your coverage or increased your premiums significantly.[1] Drivers with suspended licenses often have to consider alternative insurance options to avoid harsh legal consequences and a lapse in coverage.
It’s important to maintain coverage even when your license is suspended. Your auto loan or lease may require you to have active coverage. And showing proof of insurance is often a requirement to get your license reinstated.
Here’s what you need to know about finding car insurance with a suspended license.
Quick Facts
Based on the factors that can lead to license suspension, full coverage with a suspended license could average $226 to $269 or more per month, depending on the state and your circumstances.
To obtain auto coverage (and eventually reinstate your license), you may need an SR-22 certificate, which serves as proof that you meet your state’s minimum insurance requirements. Your state may also require you to take a defensive driving course.
Driving with a suspended license is illegal, even if you have proof of insurance.
Three ways to get car insurance with no license
Fortunately, you can get car insurance even with a suspended driver’s license. But it could be more difficult, especially if your car insurance company canceled your policy. If your insurer hasn’t canceled your policy, contact your insurance agent and discuss your situation to determine your best option for affordable insurance.
The following table illustrates a few ways to get auto insurance with no license:
Option  | Best For | What It Covers | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designate a primary driver | People with an alternative driver in the household | Your vehicle and the named driver | May allow you to keep the same policy; avoids coverage gap | Not all insurers offer this option; won’t prevent rate increase |
| List yourself as an excluded driver | When multiple drivers rely on your vehicle | Your vehicle and all licensed drivers named on your policy | Allows named drivers to continue using your car; maintains continuous coverage | Your policy won’t cover you; your driving record will still affect your premium |
| Buy parked car coverage | People who don’t need their car for a while | Your vehicle while it remains parked or stored | Avoids coverage gap; premium can be much cheaper | No one can drive your vehicle with this type coverage; comprehensive deductible applies |
Designate a primary driver
Some insurers let you name a primary driver, such as your spouse or child, on your auto insurance policy. This person will be the one who drives your car most often. Contact your insurer to determine if this is an option in your case.
List yourself as an excluded driver
You might also be able to list yourself as an excluded driver to maintain your coverage. This designation will mean your car insurance policy doesn’t cover you, though it could cover your family members.
Only get parked car coverage
With this type of coverage — also known as storage coverage — your car remains insured for certain incidents while parked or stored. Just keep in mind that the vehicle won’t have coverage on the road.
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Do you need car insurance without a driver’s license?
It’s important to have consistent auto insurance coverage for a few reasons, even if you won’t be driving for a while. If you have an outstanding auto loan or lease, you’ll likely need to maintain your coverage as a condition of your contract with the lender or leasing company. A lapse in coverage could result in your lender issuing force-placed insurance or repossessing the vehicle.
If you aren’t the only driver in your home, you’ll also need car insurance to protect any family members who get behind the wheel. Driving without insurance is illegal, and doing so could result in hefty fines and even jail time. Plus, insurance companies frown on coverage gaps, which might make it difficult to get car insurance again as you work toward having your license reinstated.
And in many states, you’ll need to be able to show proof of insurance before they’ll reinstate your driver’s license.
Cost of car insurance for drivers without a license
A license suspension can cause your insurance rates to spike because your insurer will likely view you as a high-risk driver. U.S. drivers with a clean record pay an average cost of $98 per month for liability insurance, while drivers with revoked driving privileges pay $140 per month.
License suspensions are often the result of risky behaviors on the road, such as DUIs, multiple moving violations, or unpaid tickets. These behaviors could increase your likelihood of getting into a serious accident or defaulting on your car insurance premiums, so your insurer is likely to hike your rates after a suspension.[2]
Comparing coverage from different insurance companies and opting for a higher deductible could help reduce your premiums after a license suspension.[3] These insurers offer the cheapest coverage, on average, for drivers with a suspended license.
Cheapest car insurance with a suspended license
The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote for High-Risk Drivers |
|---|---|
| Country Financial | $60 |
| Auto-Owners | $60 |
| USAA | $68 |
| State Farm | $68 |
| Mile Auto | $85 |
| Erie | $95 |
| Allstate | $96 |
| Commonwealth Casualty | $103 |
| National General | $107 |
| American Family | $107 |
| GEICO | $110 |
| GAINSCO | $112 |
| Direct Auto | $117 |
| The General | $119 |
| Dairyland | $122 |
| Root | $122 |
| Safeco | $123 |
| Nationwide | $124 |
| Elephant | $128 |
| Travelers | $129 |
| Bristol West | $131 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $134 |
| Farmers | $138 |
| Mercury | $148 |
| Chubb | $151 |
| Anchor | $152 |
| Liberty Mutual | $157 |
| Clearcover | $169 |
| Plymouth Rock | $170 |
| 21st Century | $179 |
| Shelter | $186 |
| State Auto | $206 |
| The Hartford | $208 |
| CSAA | $220 |
| Hugo | $224 |
| Amica | $358 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Car insurance with an SR-22 certificate
You might need an SR-22 form to get car insurance and eventually reinstate your license. SR-22s serve as proof of financial responsibility for drivers with past DUIs, serious moving violations, or multiple motor vehicle accidents in a short time. Your state will generally inform you if you need an SR-22 by court order.
Your insurer will often file an SR-22 on your behalf, and you’ll likely need to pay a filing fee each year it’s required. Depending on your state, you may need to carry SR-22 insurance for three years. During this time, your car insurance rates will likely be higher.
Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for drivers with an SR-22 in place.
The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Insurance Company | Average Quote for Drivers With an SR-22 |
|---|---|
| Country Financial | $53 |
| Auto-Owners | $57 |
| USAA | $65 |
| State Farm | $67 |
| Erie | $86 |
| Allstate | $91 |
| Mile Auto | $94 |
| American Family | $102 |
| GEICO | $102 |
| Commonwealth Casualty | $103 |
| Safeco | $105 |
| The General | $108 |
| National General | $109 |
| Direct Auto | $115 |
| Mercury | $117 |
| Nationwide | $118 |
| Dairyland | $121 |
| GAINSCO | $122 |
| Travelers | $122 |
| Bristol West | $132 |
| Farmers | $133 |
| Elephant | $135 |
| Root | $137 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $140 |
| Anchor | $145 |
| Chubb | $147 |
| Clearcover | $155 |
| Plymouth Rock | $161 |
| Liberty Mutual | $164 |
| 21st Century | $165 |
| Shelter | $165 |
| The Hartford | $174 |
| State Auto | $189 |
| CSAA | $194 |
| Hugo | $234 |
| Amica | $308 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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How to reinstate a suspended license
The process of reinstating your suspended license can vary slightly by state and the type of offense that resulted in the suspension. But in general, the process could look something like this:
Obtain an SR-22 or car insurance, if needed.
Pay any outstanding fines.
Attend traffic school, if needed.
Provide proof of insurance to the DMV.
Pay any reinstatement fees.
Contact your insurance company to get your SR-22 removed, if needed.
Good to Know
The time frame for reinstating your license can vary based on your unique case and specific needs. For example, it’ll likely take longer if you need to attend traffic school or save up enough to pay reinstatement fees. Following proper procedures and meeting applicable legal requirements is essential to streamline the process.
Car insurance with a suspended license FAQs
If you’re still wondering about getting car insurance with a suspended license, this additional information may help.
Do car insurance companies know if your license is suspended?
Insurers routinely check the motor vehicle records of policyholders, so yes, they’ll find out if your license is suspended.
How much will your insurance go up if your license gets suspended?
The behaviors that can lead to license suspension, like multiple speeding tickets, reckless driving, and DUI convictions, can increase your insurance premium by 30%–45% or more, depending on the state, your insurer, and the exact violations.
What traffic violations can get your license suspended?
State laws vary, but generally infractions like driving under the influence, hit-and-run incidents, reckless driving, and numerous traffic tickets can cause a state to suspend your license. Once your license is suspended, it may take a while to get it back. Your state may even require you to start out driving again with a restricted license before you can regain your full driving privileges.
Who should you list as the primary driver if you buy car insurance without a license?
If you buy car insurance without a license, the primary driver should be the person who drives your vehicle most often. This could be your spouse, your child, another trusted family member, or a friend.
Why should you insure a vehicle that you don’t plan to drive?
You should still insure a vehicle you don’t plan to drive to maintain consistent coverage. This is especially important if you have an auto loan or lease, as lenders or leasing companies often require consistent coverage as part of your contract. It may also be more difficult to get an auto policy in the future with a significant coverage gap, or you might pay higher rates.
Why do insurance companies prefer drivers with licenses?
In general, it’s easier for a licensed driver with a clean driving record to obtain car insurance coverage at the best rate. Insurers could view unlicensed drivers and people with suspended licenses and past issues in their driving history as a higher risk to insure.
Where can I find the cheapest car insurance?
Car insurance rates vary by company and location, so not one insurance company offers the cheapest rates across all areas. Other factors, like your age and driving record, also affect your rates. It’s a good idea to obtain and compare car insurance quotes from a few companies to find the coverage you need at an affordable cost.
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Insurance Information Institute
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology