What Makes You a High-Risk Driver?
Insurance companies label you as high-risk when statistical models predict you're more likely to file a claim. Here are the most common triggers:
- DUI or DWI conviction — the single biggest red flag for insurers
- Reckless driving or excessive speeding (20+ mph over the limit)
- Multiple at-fault accidents in a 3–5 year period
- Driving without insurance or a lapse in coverage
- Suspended or revoked license
- Poor credit score (in states where credit-based insurance scoring is allowed)
- Too many points on your license (varies by state)
- New or teen driver with no history
- Serious moving violations (hit-and-run, street racing, etc.)
Even one major violation—like a DUI—can push you into high-risk territory. Multiple smaller infractions (speeding tickets, fender benders) within a short time frame can have the same effect.
Important context: Insurers don't use the term "high-risk" in official documents. Instead, you'll see "non-standard," "assigned risk," or simply higher premiums and SR-22 filing requirements.
How Much Does High-Risk Car Insurance Cost?
High-risk drivers typically pay 50% to 200% more than drivers with clean records. The exact increase depends on the violation, your state, your insurer, and your overall risk profile.
Here are approximate national averages for full-coverage car insurance in 2026:
Clean record: ~$2,158/year
One speeding ticket: ~$2,400–$2,700/year (+11–25%)
One at-fault accident: ~$2,800–$3,200/year (+30–50%)
DUI: ~$3,500–$5,500/year (+60–150%+)
Suspended license + SR-22: $4,000–$6,000+/year
Rates vary dramatically by state. In Michigan, high-risk drivers might pay $8,000+ per year. In states like Maine or Idaho, the same driver might pay $3,000. Your credit score, age, vehicle, and ZIP code also play major roles.
Key insight: The price difference between insurers is larger for high-risk drivers than for clean-record drivers. One carrier might quote you $4,500 while another offers $2,800 for identical coverage. Shopping around is non-negotiable.
Best Car Insurance Companies for High-Risk Drivers
Not all carriers accept high-risk drivers, and even those that do may charge wildly different rates. Here are insurers known for working with high-risk drivers:
The General
Specializes in non-standard and high-risk coverage. Often one of the most affordable options for drivers with DUIs, lapses, or poor credit.
Progressive
Large national carrier that accepts most high-risk drivers. Offers telematics programs (Snapshot) that can reduce rates for safe driving.
Direct Auto Insurance
Non-standard insurer with a focus on SR-22 filings and drivers with violations. Operates in 12 states, mostly in the Southeast.
Acceptance Insurance
Specializes in high-risk and non-standard policies. Available in 12 states.
Bristol West
Non-standard arm of Farmers Insurance. Serves drivers with lapses, violations, and poor credit.
Dairyland Insurance
Non-standard carrier offering SR-22 filings and coverage for drivers with major violations.
State-assigned risk pools
If no private insurer will cover you, your state may assign you to its high-risk pool. Rates are typically higher than private market options, but it's a last resort.
Pro tip: Even if your current insurer (like State Farm or Allstate) drops you after a violation, they may have a non-standard subsidiary that will still cover you. Ask your agent.
How to Save Money on High-Risk Car Insurance
High-risk doesn't mean expensive is inevitable. Here are proven strategies to lower your premium:
1. Shop around—seriously. Get quotes from at least 3–5 carriers, including high-risk specialists. Price spreads can be enormous.
2. Bundle policies. Combining auto and home (or renters) insurance with one carrier can save 10–30%.
3. Take a defensive driving course. Many states allow a discount (5–15%) if you complete an approved course. Some also remove points from your license.
4. Enroll in a telematics program. Usage-based insurance programs like Progressive's Snapshot or Allstate's Drivewise can reduce rates by up to 30% if you drive safely.
5. Raise your deductibles. Increasing your collision and comprehensive deductibles from $500 to $1,000 can lower premiums by 15–25%. Just make sure you can afford the higher out-of-pocket cost.
6. Improve your credit score. In most states, credit is one of the biggest rating factors. Pay down debt, dispute errors, and build a positive payment history.
7. Pay in full (if possible). Paying your 6- or 12-month premium upfront can save $50–$100 vs. monthly installments with fees.
8. Ask about low-mileage discounts. If you drive less than 10,000 miles per year, you may qualify for savings.
9. Drop optional coverage on older cars. If your car is worth less than $3,000–$4,000, consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage to save money.
10. Wait for violations to drop off. Most violations stay on your record for 3–5 years. Once they age off, re-shop your policy—you'll see lower rates.
SR-22 and FR-44 Requirements
Many high-risk drivers are also required to file an SR-22 (or FR-44 in Florida and Virginia)—a certificate proving you carry at least minimum liability coverage.
The filing itself costs $15–$50, but it signals to insurers that you're high-risk, which increases your premium. You'll need to maintain continuous coverage for the entire SR-22 period (usually 3 years). If your policy lapses, your license is suspended again and the clock restarts.
For a detailed breakdown, see our guide to SR-22 insurance.
Critical reminder: Never let your SR-22 policy lapse. Set up automatic payments and track renewal dates carefully. A lapse resets your SR-22 period to zero and adds another rate increase.
Non-Owner Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers
If you don't own a car but need to reinstate a suspended license or maintain an SR-22, a non-owner car insurance policy is your solution.
Non-owner policies provide liability-only coverage when you drive someone else's vehicle. They're cheaper than standard policies—typically $300 to $800 per year for clean-record drivers, but $800 to $2,000+ for high-risk drivers.
Non-owner policies are ideal for:
- Drivers who use public transit or ride-sharing
- Drivers who occasionally borrow a friend's or family member's car
- Drivers fulfilling SR-22 requirements without owning a vehicle
- Drivers waiting to buy a car but needing continuous coverage to avoid lapses
How Long Are You Considered High-Risk?
Most violations stay on your driving record for 3 to 5 years, depending on your state and the severity of the offense.
Minor violations (speeding 10–15 mph over, failure to yield): 3 years
At-fault accidents: 3–5 years
Major violations (DUI, reckless driving): 5–10 years
License suspension: 3–5 years from reinstatement
Once a violation drops off your record, your rates should decrease—but you won't immediately return to "preferred" driver status. Insurers may still consider you higher-risk for 1–2 years after the violation ages off.
The best way to accelerate your return to lower rates is to shop around as soon as violations drop off. Different insurers have different look-back periods.
Pro tip: Mark the date your violation drops off on your calendar and request new quotes that day. You could see significant savings immediately.
Mistakes to Avoid as a High-Risk Driver
Don't drive without insurance. Getting caught uninsured adds another violation to your record and can result in SR-22 requirements, fines, license suspension, and even higher premiums.
Don't accept the first quote. High-risk rates vary wildly. Not shopping around can cost you $1,000+ per year.
Don't let your policy lapse. Even one day without coverage can trigger a new violation and reset your SR-22 clock.
Don't lie on your application. Omitting violations or accidents is insurance fraud. If the insurer discovers it later, they can deny claims, cancel your policy, and report you to state authorities.
Don't ignore discounts. Even small discounts (paperless billing, autopay, defensive driving) add up. Ask about every available discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
You're considered high-risk if you have major violations (DUI, reckless driving), multiple at-fault accidents, a lapse in coverage, poor credit, a suspended license, or you're a new or teen driver with no history.
High-risk drivers typically pay 50–200% more than average. A driver with a DUI might pay $3,000–$5,000+ per year for full coverage, compared to the national average of ~$2,158.
The General, Progressive, Direct Auto, Acceptance, Bristol West, Dairyland, and state-assigned risk pools often specialize in high-risk coverage. Rates vary widely, so comparing quotes from at least 3–5 carriers is critical.
Most violations stay on your record for 3–5 years. DUIs can affect rates for 5–10 years. Once violations drop off your record, your rates should decrease—but you may not return to 'preferred' status immediately.
Yes, but you'll likely need an SR-22 or FR-44 filing and a non-owner policy if you don't own a car. Once you reinstate your license, you can switch to a standard policy.
Yes. Shop around frequently, bundle policies, take a defensive driving course, enroll in telematics programs, raise your deductibles, improve your credit, and avoid further violations. Rates will also drop naturally once violations age off your record.