The Cheapest Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in 2024

If you’ve been in several at-fault accidents or have a DUI conviction, car insurance companies will likely consider you a high-risk driver. Insurers look at different factors when determining your insurance premiums.

Multiple infractions on your driving record signal that you could be a greater liability to the company, which often leads to higher insurance rates. In some cases, car insurance companies may not cover you at all.

The good news is you still have options. We found that USAA, GEICO, and more have some of the best rates. We’ll show you how to get cheap car insurance if you’re considered a high-risk driver.

Key Takeaways:

• Drivers with DUIs, multiple at-fault accidents, and lapses in coverage are generally considered high-risk by insurance companies.
• State Farm offers the cheapest full-coverage policies for most high-risk drivers, at $139 per month.
• You can look into high-risk car insurance companies and state-sponsored plans if you’ve been denied auto insurance coverage.

The 10 Cheapest Insurers for High-Risk Drivers

Your driving record is kind of like your fingerprint — it’s uniquely yours. This is why your auto insurance rate could be totally different from someone you know with the same coverage, for example.

Car insurance rates are based on many different risk factors, like where you live and your credit score, but one of the biggest influences is your driving record. High-risk drivers pay high insurance premiums because of their driving history and probability of filing a claim.

Though you won’t get the lowest rates, you can compare options to find the most affordable car insurance for your situation. Here are the top 10 cheapest insurers for high-risk drivers.

Overall, USAA is the cheapest company, but since everyone won’t qualify for coverage with the insurer, GEICO is the cheapest option for most of the population. GEICO, State Farm, and Progressive offer liability-only insurance for under $100 per month and full-coverage rates below $200 per month.

Some insurers have rates two to five times more than USAA — which is why getting multiple quotes from different insurers is worth it. The actual amount you’ll pay depends on the type of incident on your driving record.

For example, DUIs usually result in the highest rates. On average, rates increase by 94% after a DUI conviction. On the other hand, rates don’t increase as much if you cause a car accident or get a speeding ticket. Rates increase by 44% after an at-fault accident and 37% after a single ticket, according to Compare.com data.

The Best Car Insurance Companies for High-Risk Drivers

High-risk drivers can get insurance coverage through many different insurers. But some companies are a better fit for certain situations. Below, we list the best car insurance companies for high-risk drivers based on unique profiles, average premiums for liability coverage, ratings, and more.

GEICO: Best for SR-22

• Average high-risk premium: $70 per month
• com rating: 4.65/5

GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers (USAA is for military members only), at $70 per month for liability coverage. The company has a high Compare.com rating and is best for drivers who need an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility. GEICO can file the SR-22 forms for you and make sure you’re in good standing.

From a customer satisfaction standpoint, GEICO is highly rated in several regions across the U.S., according to a June 2023 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study.

State Farm: Best for DUI

• Average high-risk premium: $77 per month
• Compare.com rating: 4.3/5

State Farm is a solid option for high-risk auto insurance if you have a DUI conviction. The company is an industry titan with a long history and many different coverage options and discounts. State Farm has high customer satisfaction ratings, according to a J.D. Power study.

The company also has other insurance products available, such as home insurance. When you bundle different types of insurance with State Farm, you can save even more.

Progressive: Best for multiple accidents

• Average high-risk premium: $96 per month
• Compare.com rating: 4.2/5

Progressive is a low-cost option for high-risk drivers with several at-fault accidents on their records. To learn more, you can contact a representative online or by phone, or you can talk to an independent agent.

Progressive offers unique coverage options, including pet injury coverage, loan/lease payoff, custom parts and equipment coverage, and more. You’re also incentivized to drive safely through their Snapshot program, which rewards good driving behavior with discounts.

Allstate: Best for teen drivers

• Average high-risk premium: $117 per month
• Compare.com rating: 4.2/5

Teen drivers are often considered high-risk drivers because of their limited driving history and potential for reckless driving behavior. In fact, auto accidents are the top cause of death for teenagers in the United States, according to the CDC.

Allstate is the best insurer for teen drivers, as it offers discounts for good grades if drivers get teenSMART certified and if they go to school more than 100 miles from where the vehicle is garaged. An accident forgiveness option also keeps rates the same after their first at-fault accident.

3 Options If You’ve Been Denied Coverage

Some car insurance companies may deny coverage if you’re a high-risk driver. But if you find yourself in that situation and need an insurance policy, here are three options to consider.

1.   Non-standard insurers

If you can’t get auto insurance through a traditional insurance company, the next step is to look into non-standard insurance companies. Non-standard insurers specialize in high-risk car insurance for high-risk drivers.

Companies that offer non-standard insurance include The General, Dairyland, and SafeAuto. Fortunately, you can get the same coverage as other drivers with a non-standard insurance company. So, on the upside, you can meet your state’s minimum liability insurance requirements.

The downside is that non-standard auto insurance companies typically charge higher rates. Premiums are higher, as drivers with multiple traffic violations, at-fault accidents, or a DUI have a higher chance of filing a claim.

2.   State-sponsored auto insurance plans

If you’re a high-risk driver and have been denied insurance coverage from both standard and non-standard car insurance companies, your next option is to look into state-sponsored auto insurance plans.

Two examples include the Washington Automobile Insurance Plan and the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan. These plans are for drivers who can’t get coverage elsewhere. You’ll need to work with an insurance agent or broker through the plan to get coverage. You may also need to show proof that you’ve been denied coverage elsewhere.

3.   Work with an insurance agent

Trying to get coverage on your own as a high-risk driver may prove difficult. Another option is to work with an insurance agent to find a policy. Insurance agents are experts in the business and can offer guidance on what to do and what next steps you should take.

An insurance agent might be able to find coverage for you through a non-standard insurer. They can also look into options not sold directly to the public and find you something.

What Makes Drivers High-Risk?

Car insurance companies look at many different risk factors when determining rates and eligibility. Insurers classify drivers as high-risk for several reasons, including inexperience, multiple driving violations, and too many claims filed. We’ll cover some of these in more detail below.

• Multiple incidents: If you have too many driving violations on your record within a short time, you could be considered high-risk. For example, if you’ve had four speeding tickets in a year or caused several at-fault accidents, an insurer may decide you’re high-risk.
• DUI: If you get a DUI conviction and license suspension, you’re considered high-risk. It may be difficult to get coverage if you have multiple DUIs.
• Driving without insurance: If you allow your auto insurance coverage to lapse or get canceled, you can be considered high-risk. In most cases, insurance is a legal requirement, so you’re driving illegally without coverage.
• New driver: Younger drivers tend to be new drivers with no or limited experience. Since there’s no driving record to draw on, young or new drivers may be considered high-risk.

How to Lower Your Risk as a Driver

Lowering your risk as a driver is always a smart idea — especially if you’re in the high-risk category. Not only does it increase safety for everyone on the road, but it can also lead to lower insurance rates. Here are some things you can do.

• Take a defensive driving course. Be proactive and take a defensive driving course. Doing so may make you eligible for certain discounts. Courses typically range between four to eight hours.
• Follow the speed limit. When you’re behind the wheel, follow all posted speed limits to avoid getting speeding tickets and points on your license. Depending on your state, some incidents may fall off your record if you can keep a clean driving record for three years.
• Stay protected. A vehicle with up-to-date safety features can help lower your risk. You can also take additional steps to be safe. Wear your seat belt, avoid multitasking, put the phone down, and don’t drink and drive. These behaviors can affect your reaction time.
• Maintain auto insurance coverage. Every state has minimum auto insurance. Make sure to meet or exceed those minimums and continue to renew your car insurance coverage. If you have an SR-22 form, file it on time. Every year that goes by without an incident can help lower your risk.

High-Risk Car Insurance FAQs

If you need high-risk car insurance, you should know that the options available may vary by state. Here are some common questions and answers about high-risk insurance.

How do you know if you’re a high-risk driver?

Every car insurance company may define “high-risk” differently. But if you have a DUI conviction, multiple at-fault accidents, or speeding tickets in a short time frame, you can be considered high-risk. If you get denied coverage, that may be a telltale sign.

How much is high-risk insurance?

The cost of high-risk car insurance varies by company and based on the incidents on your driving record. GEICO offers the lowest average liability premium for most high-risk drivers, at $70 per month. Encompass has the most expensive liability insurance, at $417 per month.

State Farm and Encompass offer the lowest and highest full-coverage policies, at $139 and $768 per month, respectively.

What is the best insurance for high-risk drivers?

GEICO and State Farm offer the best car insurance for high-risk drivers. The companies offer competitive rates and many different coverage options. So even if you have a bad driving record, you may be able to find good coverage with these or other high-risk car insurance companies.

Methodology

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance rates from more than 75 partner insurance providers in order to compile the quotes and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the quotes listed in this article have been gathered from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide drivers with insight into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Sources

1. Federal Insurance Office, U.S. Department Of The Treasury, “Study on the Affordability of Personal Automobile Insurance,” Accessed December 14, 2023.
2. Insurance Information Institute, “What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?,”Accessed December 14, 2023.
3. Insurance Information Institute, “What if I can’t find auto coverage?,”Accessed December 14, 2023.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Teen Driver and Passenger Safety,” Accessed December 14, 2023.
5. AIPSO, “Washington Automobile Insurance Plan,” Accessed December 14, 2023.
6. AIPSO, “Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan,” Accessed December 14, 2023.
7. DMV CA, “DUI FIRST OFFENDERS,” Accessed December 14, 2023.
8. Insurance Information Institute, “Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage,” Accessed December 14, 2023.J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study,” Accesse