Why You Need Insurance With a Suspended License
Having a suspended license doesn't eliminate your insurance needs—in many cases, it makes insurance legally required.
Common reasons you need insurance during suspension:
1. SR-22 requirement for reinstatement
Most license suspensions (DUI, driving uninsured, serious violations) require you to file an SR-22 proving you maintain continuous liability coverage. You must have insurance before you can reinstate.
2. You own a vehicle
If you own a financed or leased vehicle, your lender requires comprehensive and collision coverage even if you can't legally drive it.
3. Other household drivers
If you own a car that other licensed household members drive, the vehicle needs insurance.
4. Maintaining continuous coverage
Gaps in insurance coverage increase your rates dramatically once you reinstate your license. Maintaining coverage—even during suspension—protects your future rates.
5. You'll drive again eventually
Once your suspension ends, you'll need insurance to legally drive. Having coverage already in place makes reinstatement faster and easier.
Can You Actually Get Insurance With a Suspended License?
Yes, but it depends on:
Why your license is suspended: Insurers treat different suspension reasons differently:
- DUI: Challenging but possible. Non-standard insurers specialize in this.
- Too many points/violations: Moderately difficult. Many insurers will cover you.
- Driving without insurance: Difficult. Insurers see you as high financial risk.
- Administrative (unpaid tickets, child support): Easier. These aren't driving-related risks.
- Medical suspension: Easier. Not related to risky driving behavior.
Whether you own a car:
- Own a car: Easier to get coverage (insurers can write standard policy)
- Don't own a car: Need non-owner policy (fewer insurers offer this with suspended license)
Your state: Some states make it easier than others to insure suspended drivers. Requirements and options vary.
Reality check: Standard carriers (GEICO, State Farm, Progressive) often decline suspended drivers. You'll likely need non-standard/high-risk specialists.
Option 1: SR-22 Insurance (Most Common)
If your license was suspended for DUI, driving uninsured, or serious violations, you almost certainly need SR-22 insurance.
What is SR-22?
An SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with the state proving you maintain at least minimum liability coverage. It's not insurance itself—it's proof of insurance for high-risk drivers.
How it works with suspended license:
Step 1: Purchase liability insurance that meets your state's minimum requirements (often higher minimums for SR-22 than standard drivers).
Step 2: Request your insurer file an SR-22 with your state DMV. They do this electronically, usually within 24-48 hours.
Step 3: Pay any reinstatement fees required by your state ($50-$500 typical).
Step 4: Your license is reinstated once the DMV receives the SR-22 and confirms fees are paid.
Step 5: Maintain continuous coverage for the full SR-22 period (typically 3 years). Any lapse suspends your license again.
Cost:
- SR-22 filing fee: $15-$50 (one-time or annual)
- Insurance premium increase: 30-150% due to suspension reason
- Example: $1,200/year before suspension → $1,800-$3,000/year with SR-22
Who offers SR-22 with suspended license:
- Non-standard specialists: The General, Dairyland, Bristol West, National General
- Some standard carriers: Progressive, GEICO (case-by-case)
- State-assigned risk pools (last resort)
For more detail, see SR-22 insurance.
Option 2: Non-Owner Car Insurance
If you don't own a vehicle but need insurance to reinstate your license, non-owner insurance is the solution.
What is non-owner insurance?
Liability-only coverage that protects you when driving vehicles you don't own—borrowed cars, rentals, car-sharing services, etc.
When you need it:
- Your license is suspended but you don't own a car
- You need SR-22 to reinstate but have no vehicle to insure
- You sold your car but still need continuous coverage to avoid rate increases
- You occasionally borrow vehicles
What it covers:
- Liability (bodily injury and property damage) when you drive borrowed vehicles
- SR-22 filing capability
What it doesn't cover:
- Damage to the vehicle you're driving (that's covered by the owner's policy)
- Your own vehicle (you don't have one)
- Comprehensive or collision coverage
Cost: $200-$500/year (much cheaper than standard insurance because coverage is limited).
Who offers non-owner insurance with suspended license:
- Progressive
- The General
- Dairyland
- Bristol West
- State-assigned risk pools
How to get it:
Step 1: Call insurers that offer non-owner policies (not all do).
Step 2: Explain your situation: "My license is suspended. I need non-owner insurance with SR-22 filing."
Step 3: Provide license information, suspension reason, and reinstatement requirements.
Step 4: Purchase policy and request SR-22 filing.
Important: Some insurers won't offer non-owner to suspended drivers. You may need to try 5-10 companies.
Option 3: Parked Vehicle / Comprehensive-Only Coverage
If you own a car but can't legally drive it during your suspension, you have two choices:
Choice A: Comprehensive-only (parked vehicle) coverage
What it is: Coverage that protects your car from non-driving risks while it's parked.
Covers:
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Fire
- Weather damage (hail, flood, falling trees)
- Animal damage
Doesn't cover:
- Liability (you're not driving)
- Collision (you're not driving)
Cost: $100-$300/year (very cheap since it's only comprehensive).
Downsides:
- Can't legally drive the car
- If you need SR-22, this won't satisfy it (SR-22 requires liability coverage)
- Creates coverage gap if you later need full coverage
Best for: Administrative suspensions where SR-22 isn't required and you just need to protect a parked vehicle.
Choice B: Full coverage without driving
What it is: Maintain standard liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage even though you can't drive.
Why you might do this:
- Vehicle is financed/leased (lender requires full coverage)
- Other household members drive the car
- SR-22 requirement needs liability coverage
- You want to avoid coverage gap and future rate increases
Cost: Same as if you were driving (no discount for not driving).
Downside: Expensive for a car you can't drive.
Best for: SR-22 requirements or financed vehicles during short suspensions.
How Much Does Insurance Cost With a Suspended License?
Expect significant rate increases due to the high-risk classification:
Rate impact by suspension reason:
- DUI: +80-150% (e.g., $1,200/year → $2,200-$3,000/year)
- Driving without insurance: +40-80%
- Too many points/violations: +30-60%
- Administrative (unpaid tickets, child support): +10-30%
- Medical suspension: +0-20% (least impact)
Additional costs:
- SR-22 filing fee: $15-$50
- License reinstatement fee: $50-$500
- Defensive driving course (often required): $50-$150
- Legal fees if applicable: $500-$5,000+
Total first-year cost example (DUI suspension):
- Insurance: $2,500/year
- SR-22 fee: $25
- Reinstatement: $250
- Defensive driving: $100
- Total: $2,875 vs. $1,200 before suspension
How long elevated rates last:
- Suspension history affects rates for 3-5 years after reinstatement
- Underlying violation (DUI, etc.) affects rates for 5-10 years
- SR-22 requirement lasts 3 years typically
Where to Get Insurance With a Suspended License
Not all insurers will accept suspended drivers. Here's where to look:
Best options (most likely to accept you):
Non-standard/high-risk specialists:
- The General
- Dairyland
- Bristol West
- National General
- Safe Auto
- Titan Insurance
These companies specialize in high-risk drivers and regularly insure suspended license situations.
Standard carriers (selective acceptance):
- Progressive (most flexible major carrier for suspended licenses)
- GEICO (case-by-case, depends on suspension reason)
- State Farm (rarely, administrative suspensions only)
State-assigned risk pools (last resort):
If no insurer will voluntarily accept you, your state has an assigned risk program that guarantees coverage at high cost.
How to shop:
1. Be honest. Disclose your suspended license status. Lying can result in denied claims or policy cancellation.
2. Explain your situation. Administrative suspensions are viewed more favorably than DUI suspensions.
3. Get multiple quotes. Rates for suspended drivers vary dramatically—compare 8-10 insurers.
4. Ask about SR-22. If you need it, confirm the insurer files SR-22 in your state.
5. Work with an independent agent. They can access multiple non-standard insurers at once.
Steps to Reinstate Your License
General reinstatement process (varies by state):
Step 1: Serve your suspension period
You cannot reinstate until the mandatory suspension time has passed (30 days, 6 months, etc.).
Step 2: Complete required actions
Depending on suspension reason:
- DUI: Alcohol education, ignition interlock device, community service
- Too many points: Defensive driving course
- Unpaid tickets: Pay all fines
- Child support: Make required payments
Step 3: Obtain SR-22 insurance
Purchase liability insurance and have your insurer file SR-22 with the state.
Step 4: Pay reinstatement fee
State DMV fees: $50-$500 depending on state and violation.
Step 5: Visit DMV
Submit proof of:
- SR-22 filing
- Completion of required programs
- Payment of all fines
- Reinstatement fee receipt
Step 6: Receive reinstated license
Your license is restored, but SR-22 monitoring continues for 3 years.
Critical: Check your state DMV website or call for exact reinstatement requirements. Every state is different.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Thinking you don't need insurance during suspension
Most suspensions require insurance for reinstatement. Don't wait until the last minute.
2. Letting coverage lapse
If you have SR-22, any lapse extends your suspension and may restart your SR-22 clock.
3. Lying to insurers
Disclose your suspended status. If you lie and file a claim, it will be denied.
4. Not shopping around
Rate differences for suspended drivers are enormous—$500-$2,000/year between insurers.
5. Driving on suspended license
Driving while suspended is a crime. Penalties:
- Extended suspension (add 30-180 days)
- Jail time (possible for repeat offenses)
- Vehicle impoundment
- Insurance becomes even harder to get
6. Assuming reinstatement is automatic
You must actively complete all requirements and visit the DMV. Licenses don't auto-reinstate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can get SR-22 insurance, non-owner insurance if you don't own a car, or comprehensive-only coverage if you own a parked vehicle. Most suspensions require insurance to reinstate your license, so maintaining coverage is often mandatory.
SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with the state proving you maintain minimum liability coverage. Most license suspensions require SR-22 for reinstatement. The filing costs $15-$50, but insurance rates increase 30-150% due to high-risk status.
Often yes. Most suspensions (DUI, driving uninsured, serious violations) require continuous insurance coverage with SR-22 filing before you can reinstate. Even administrative suspensions benefit from maintaining coverage to avoid future rate increases.
Expect 30-150% higher rates depending on suspension reason. DUI suspensions increase rates 80-150%, while administrative suspensions increase rates 10-30%. SR-22 filing adds $15-$50, and reinstatement fees are $50-$500.
Yes, but not all insurers offer it. Non-owner insurance provides liability coverage without owning a vehicle and can include SR-22 filing. Try Progressive, The General, Dairyland, or Bristol West. Costs $200-$500/year.
Non-standard specialists (The General, Dairyland, Bristol West, National General, Safe Auto) regularly accept suspended drivers. Progressive is the most flexible major carrier. Standard carriers like GEICO and State Farm rarely accept suspended drivers.