Drivers with a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction on their record pay 20%–50% more for car insurance than drivers with a clean record, according to Insurify data.
An SR-22 is a state-required certificate proving you carry minimum insurance coverage. You’ll typically need to have one for three to five years after serious violations.
Non-standard auto insurance companies specialize in covering drivers who may not qualify for standard insurance because of their driving history.
What makes a driver high risk?
Insurance companies use driving history, claims records, and other factors to estimate the likelihood that a driver will file future claims. Insurers often categorize drivers who pose a greater risk of loss as high risk, and they charge those drivers substantially higher car insurance rates and premiums.[1]
A single minor violation or similar infractions may not result in a high-risk classification. But serious offenses — such as a conviction for DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while impaired) — or a pattern of risky behavior can move a driver into the high-risk category. Depending on the violation and state, insurers may consider a driver high risk for three to seven years or longer.
Factors that can make you a high-risk driver include:
DUI or DWI convictions
Multiple speeding tickets or moving violations
Multiple at-fault accidents
Reckless driving convictions
License suspension or revocation
Lapses in insurance coverage
Filing numerous insurance claims
Requiring an SR-22 filing
Driving without insurance
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Cheapest high-risk insurance companies
Many insurers, including major companies like State Farm or GEICO, offer coverage for drivers with violations, accidents, or other risk factors, but pricing can vary significantly.
Companies that specialize in non-standard auto insurance may provide more affordable options for high-risk drivers than standard insurers, according to Insurify data. In some cases, they may be a driver’s only solution if standard insurers have rejected them based on their driving record.
High-risk drivers may also qualify for discounts, including multi-policy, safe-driver, telematics, and auto-pay discounts. Premiums will also typically decrease over time if drivers incur no new violations and existing violations fall off their record.
The data table below shows some of the cheapest average rates for drivers with DUI convictions.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Country Financial | $58 |
| Auto-Owners | $59 |
| USAA | $74 |
| State Farm | $75 |
| Erie | $98 |
| Allstate | $104 |
| American Family | $105 |
| Mile Auto | $107 |
| Commonwealth Casualty | $111 |
| GEICO | $113 |
| The General | $116 |
| National General | $124 |
| Direct Auto | $130 |
| GAINSCO | $138 |
| Travelers | $138 |
| Dairyland | $140 |
| Safeco | $144 |
| Bristol West | $150 |
| Elephant | $150 |
| Mercury | $151 |
| Farmers | $151 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $154 |
| Root | $157 |
| Clearcover | $160 |
| Anchor | $165 |
| Chubb | $167 |
| 21st Century | $174 |
| Liberty Mutual | $185 |
| Plymouth Rock | $189 |
| Shelter | $191 |
| State Auto | $198 |
| The Hartford | $214 |
| CSAA | $221 |
| Amica | $368 |
Best car insurance for high-risk drivers
Auto coverage can be downright tricky for high-risk drivers. Some insurers might not sell non-standard policies in your state or could deny you coverage. Non-standard insurance can be a solution for drivers in your situation, although you’ll likely pay more than drivers with lower risk profiles.
While 14% of drivers in the U.S. didn’t have insurance in 2022, according to the Insurance Research Council, going without coverage isn’t an option in most states.[2] In every state but New Hampshire, drivers must have at least a minimum amount of liability coverage. And if you lease or finance your vehicle, your leasing or lending company will require you to have full coverage.
Here are your best bets for high-risk insurance.
Best for very high-risk drivers: The General
| User Reviews | 3.4 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.1 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $85/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $212/mo |
The General's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 3.0 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 3.1 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.2 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.1 | 2.9 |
Customers appreciate the ease of payment and availability of ID cards but are dissatisfied with the high premiums and poor customer service. They also report issues with claims handling and unexpected rate increases.
The General is a non-standard insurance company that specializes in high-risk auto insurance. It could be a good fit if you have bad credit, a history of at-fault accidents, or lapses in coverage of up to five years or more. You can choose between liability-only and full coverage, but your policy won’t offer perks like accident forgiveness.
Competitively priced options for high-risk drivers or those with violations
SR-22 filing available in most states
Excellent 4.7/5 Trustpilot score from 100,000+ reviews
Not available in all states
Mixed reviews for customer service
Non-high-risk drivers will likely find a better rate elsewhere
Best for low rates: State Farm
| User Reviews | 4.1 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $52/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $105/mo |
State Farm's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.1 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.3 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.9 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.7 | 2.9 |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
If you qualify, State Farm may offer lower rates for high-risk drivers than The General. Your car insurance bill will likely be more than low-risk drivers, but discounts can help you save. State Farm offers accident-free and defensive driver discounts (depending on your state) to reward you for improving your driving record.
High rates of customer satisfaction
Rideshare insurance available
Not available in Rhode Island or Massachusetts
Doesn’t offer gap insurance for owners of leased or financed vehicles
Best for the military community: USAA
| User Reviews | 4.9 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.1 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $51/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $102/mo |
USAA's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.9 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.9 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 4.9 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 4.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | 4.9 | 2.9 |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
USAA is a solid option for high-risk drivers. But there’s a catch — it’s only available to active-duty military members, veterans, their spouses and children, and pre-commissioned officers. Still, it’s one of the best car insurance companies, and it consistently scores highly in J.D. Power customer satisfaction studies.
If you meet the membership criteria, you can access discounts and programs like pay-as-you-drive, good student discounts for teens, and on-base military discounts.
High rates of customer satisfaction
Will file an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility for drivers
Only available for active-duty military, veterans, and their spouses or children
No 24/7 customer phone support
Our editorial team spent 350 hours developing the IQ (Insurify Quality) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1-to-5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
Third-party financial ratings: We use data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims
Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also considered third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the United States, as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer’s transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
Availability and reach: Insurify identified the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share to score availability and reach.
Average cost of high-risk car insurance
Compared to drivers with clean records, high-risk drivers often pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars more per year for auto insurance coverage. The exact increase depends on your insurer, location, chosen deductible, and driving history.
Comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies is often the most effective way to find cheap high-risk car insurance. Here, you can see how the average national quotes based on driving record compare.
High-Risk Driver Type | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| DUI conviction | $141 | $268 |
| At-fault accident | $131 | $248 |
| Speeding ticket | $127 | $241 |
| Reckless driving conviction | $119 | $226 |
| SR-22 filing | $124 | $235 |
Non-standard insurance explained
Non-standard auto insurance is for drivers who don’t fit the underwriting guidelines of standard insurance companies. Standard insurers generally prefer drivers with clean records and lower expected claims costs.
Non-standard insurers specialize in covering drivers with higher-risk profiles, including those with DUIs, multiple violations, license suspensions, or coverage lapses. While non-standard policies often offer the same coverage options as standard policies, they typically carry higher premiums because insurers expect a greater likelihood of future claims.
A standard insurer may decline coverage if you have a recent DUI conviction, multiple violations, numerous accidents, a suspended license, or a history of insurance lapses. In those situations, a non-standard insurer may still offer coverage, although premiums are usually higher.[3]
Coverage options available through non-standard insurers often include:
Liability insurance
Some non-standard insurers also offer accident forgiveness programs that can help prevent rate increases after a qualifying accident.
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SR-22 requirements
An SR-22 isn’t a standard car insurance policy. Instead, it’s a certificate your insurance company files with the state to verify that you carry the required minimum auto insurance coverage.
States often require SR-22 filings after serious violations, including DUI convictions, driving without insurance, reckless driving, or license suspensions. Most states require drivers to maintain the filing for three to five years, although requirements vary.
Drivers who need SR-22 insurance generally pay higher premiums because the underlying violation that triggered the filing typically places them in a higher-risk category.
Cheapest companies for drivers with an SR-22
The cost of SR-22 coverage varies by insurer, making it important to compare auto insurance quotes before purchasing a policy. Country Financial offers the most affordable SR-22 coverage, on average, at a rate of $53 per month for liability-only coverage.
Here, you can some of the cheapest rates available for drivers with an SR-22.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Country Financial | $53 |
| Auto-Owners | $57 |
| USAA | $65 |
| State Farm | $66 |
| Erie | $86 |
| Allstate | $91 |
| Mile Auto | $94 |
| GEICO | $100 |
| American Family | $101 |
| Commonwealth Casualty | $102 |
| Safeco | $106 |
| The General | $108 |
| National General | $109 |
| Direct Auto | $114 |
| Mercury | $118 |
| GAINSCO | $121 |
| Travelers | $121 |
| Dairyland | $123 |
| Bristol West | $132 |
| Elephant | $132 |
| Farmers | $133 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $135 |
| Root | $138 |
| Anchor | $144 |
| Chubb | $147 |
| Clearcover | $152 |
| Plymouth Rock | $154 |
| Liberty Mutual | $162 |
| 21st Century | $164 |
| Shelter | $164 |
| The Hartford | $172 |
| State Auto | $188 |
| CSAA | $194 |
| Amica | $305 |
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How to lower high-risk auto insurance rates
High-risk drivers pay higher insurance premiums than drivers with clean records. If insurers have classified you as a high-risk driver, the good news is you can lower your risk level — and your insurance premiums. While some actions might lower your risk right away and others can take some time to have an effect, all of the following are worth pursuing.
Take an approved driving course
A defensive driving course or driver improvement course might be one of the quickest ways to get more affordable auto insurance. Some insurance companies offer discounts for taking a course like this, so you could see savings quickly.
It can also reduce the number of points on your license (if you live in a state that uses the point system), which can lead to lower premiums. Insurance companies use points to gauge how risky you are as a driver. For example, if you take an approved driver improvement course in New Jersey, it can take up to three points off your driving record, while Michigan lets you avoid points after a ticket by taking a course.
Repair your credit
A good credit history can help you qualify for lower car insurance rates, whereas bad credit or poor credit often leads to higher premiums. Check your credit report regularly, and correct any errors. Pay off any old debts, and pay all your bills on time every month.
It can take time to improve your credit, but your long-term efforts can lead to better insurance rates and more coverage options.
Erase any traffic tickets if possible
Depending on where you live, you might be able to get your traffic ticket erased from your record. This is called expungement. States have different rules about the types of offenses that you can expunge and how the process works, but it’s worth looking into — especially if you have an otherwise clean record.
Check with your state’s department of motor vehicles to see if expungement is an option for you. It can help you qualify for better insurance rates and lower your overall car insurance costs.
Practice safe driving
Driving safely today won’t change how insurers view you tomorrow. But the more time you put between the present and your latest traffic violation, the better. Accidents, tickets, and DUI convictions can affect your car insurance rates for three to seven years but drop off after that.
Consistency is key. Focus on maintaining a clean driving record, and you could see reduced rates over time.
High-risk car insurance FAQs
Finding affordable coverage after a violation or accident can be challenging, but understanding how insurers evaluate risk can help you make better decisions. Here are answers to some common questions about high-risk driver insurance.
How long does a driver stay high risk?
Most drivers remain high risk for three to seven years after a serious violation or accident. The exact timeline depends on the offense, state laws, and how long insurers consider the event during underwriting.
What is SR-22 insurance?
SR-22 insurance isn’t a separate policy. It’s a certificate filed by your insurer proving you carry the minimum required auto insurance coverage after certain violations, such as a DUI or driving without insurance.
How much more does high-risk insurance cost?
High-risk driver insurance can cost significantly more than standard coverage. Depending on the violation, premiums may increase by 30% or more. For example, a DUI can increase your premium 67% above average, according to Insurify data.
Can you ever get standard insurance after being classified as high risk?
Yes. As violations age and you maintain a clean driving record, many standard insurers will again consider you eligible for coverage. Shopping around periodically can help you find better rates.
Do traffic violations reset after a certain time?
Most traffic violations eventually lose their effect on insurance rates, although the timeline varies by state and insurer. Many violations affect premiums for three to five years before their influence diminishes.
Can you get car insurance after a DUI?
Yes. Although a DUI insurance policy will cost more than standard coverage, most drivers can still obtain insurance through standard insurers, non-standard auto insurance companies, or assigned-risk insurance programs.
What happens if no insurer will cover you?
If you can’t find coverage in the voluntary market, your state may offer assigned-risk insurance through a residual market program. These plans provide access to legally required coverage when other insurers decline your application.
Sources
- Progressive. "High-risk driver insurance."
- Insurance Research Council. "High-risk car insurance."
- IRMI. "Nonstandard auto insurance."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 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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