Car insurance for high-risk drivers can average 90% more than regular coverage, but low-cost providers like ClearCover, Founders, and Safeco can help.

Written by Jasmine Kanter

Edited by Amy Bobinger

Updated on May 31, 2024

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The cheapest car insurance companies for high-risk drivers
High-risk drivers pay more for car insurance
Shop smart and look for discounts
What to do if you can’t get approved for coverage
FAQ

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Car insurance

for high-risk drivers is expensive, costing an average of 90% more than a standard car insurance policy. Inexperienced drivers, drivers with poor credit, and drivers with serious violations like DUIs will pay the most for car insurance, and in some cases, high-risk drivers may find it difficult to find coverage.

The cheapest car insurance companies for high-risk drivers

To find the cheapest auto insurance rates for high-risk drivers, the experts at

Jerry

analyzed thousands of real car insurance policies, focusing on the two areas that impact rates most—violations and experience behind the wheel.

They found the cheapest providers of high-risk car insurance tended to be smaller,

non-standard insurance companies

, though some big-name providers offer great high-risk options, too:

Provider	Cost for standard drivers	Cost with violations	Cost for young drivers (<25)
Founders	$126	$146	$265
Clearcover	$112	$153	$191
Safeco	$146	$173	$286
National General	$152	$178	$381
Progressive	$144	$185	$291
Gainsco	$146	$202	$380
AAA	$192	$215	$354
Allstate	$175	$270	$354
Bristol West	$287	$315	$562

The best car insurance for high-risk drivers meets

state minimum insurance requirements

and offers specialty coverage options, add-ons, and services like:

SR-22 and

FR-44

insurance filings

Accident forgiveness

to prevent a small mistake from messing up a clean driving streak

Telematics programs

to help you improve your driving history

Vanishing deductibles

to motivate you to drive safer

Never attempt to hide a high-risk factor like a car accident or violation from your insurance company. The possible consequences include policy cancelation, claims denial, increased auto insurance rates, and criminal charges. Always provide accurate information when requesting auto insurance quotes or submitting a claim.

High-risk drivers pay more for car insurance

Car insurance companies classify customers as high-risk drivers based on their chances of getting into a car accident,

filing an insurance claim

, or causing

bodily injuries

property damages

. Since auto insurance providers hate paying bills as much as the rest of us, high-risk drivers pay more for insurance coverage.

Jerry’s experts analyzed thousands of car insurance policies to determine which types of violations lead to the biggest increase in premium costs. They found that on average, drivers under the age of 18, drivers with serious violations, and drivers with poor credit pay the most for car insurance.

In fact, teen drivers pay nearly 300% more than the average standard policy, which costs around $121 a month.

Category	Average cost	Percentage increase	Why do they pay more?
Drivers with a past car insurance lapse	$154	27%	To auto insurance providers, a car insurance lapse indicates everything from missed bills to driving without car insurance .
Drivers with an at-fault accident	$155	28%	If you’ve been found at fault for an accident, insurance providers will consider you to be more likely to file claims in the future, and your rates will go up as a result.
Senior drivers (65+)	$160	32%	Although they practice safer driving habits overall, older drivers over 70 have sensory impairments and are more likely to suffer injuries or death in a car crash.1
Drivers with a speeding ticket	$252	107%	Speeding is a factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities.2 Drivers who receive a speeding ticket are twice as likely as non-ticketed drivers to speed again.3
Drivers convicted of an OWI, DWI, or DUI	$272	72%	Alcohol-impaired driving accounts for 29% of all motor vehicle-related crash deaths in the USA, making Driving Under the Influence , Driving While Intoxicated, or Operating While Intoxicated a serious crime.4
Drivers with bad credit scores (600 or less)	$222	83%	Providers use credit scores to set car insurance rates in all but 10 states, resulting in a 44-115% price penalty for policyholders with poor credit ratings.5
Teen drivers under the age of 18	$478	295%	Inexperienced young drivers under the age of 18 are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors, resulting in a fatal crash rate three times higher than the general population.6

Shop smart and look for discounts

To combat the high costs of high-risk car insurance, try comparing multiple insurance providers with an app like

Jerry

before you buy a policy.

Once you’ve got the perfect provider in mind, you can cut costs even further by hunting for

car insurance discounts

and money-saving opportunities, such as:

Building up your credit history

Bundling your

auto and homeowner’s insurance

Enrolling in a driver education program

Signing up for

telematics insurance

Switching to a non-owner car insurance policy

Taking a defensive driving course

Are you overpaying for high-risk auto insurance?

See if you can save today

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What to do if you can’t get approved for coverage

Insurers have the right to deny coverage if they feel a driver exceeds their tolerance for risk.

When can insurance companies deny coverage?

Insurance companies have the legal right to deny or cancel coverage to:

Applicants under the age of 25

Applicants with a low credit score (except in California, Michigan, and Hawaii)

Applicants with a car insurance history lapse, or no history at all

Applicants with no permanent or fixed address

Drivers living in a ZIP code with high crime rates

Drivers with a verified health condition that poses driving risks

Motorists with a suspended or invalid driver’s license

Owners of high-performance or collector vehicles

Serious or repeat traffic violation offenders

However, federal laws prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage based on an applicant’s age, gender, sexual orientation, race, national origin, religion, or marital status. If you feel a provider has unfairly denied you coverage, file a complaint with your

state’s department of insurance

But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Many states offer state-sponsored car insurance (also known as “assigned risk pool insurance”) to high-risk drivers who can’t find coverage elsewhere. Assigned-risk coverage is no cheaper than high-risk car insurance—in some cases, it might even be more expensive.

The

Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office (AIPSO)

manages

last-resort insurance plans for 39 states

. Or you can check out one of the organizations below:

State-assigned risk pool insurance plans in other states

Florida Automobile Joint Underwriting Association (FAJUA)

Hawaii Joint Underwriting Plan (HJUP)

Kansas Automobile Insurance Plan (KAIP)

Kentucky Automobile Insurance Plan (KAIP)

Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF)

Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan (MAIP)

North Carolina Reinsurance Facility (NCRF)

North Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan (NDAIP)

Ohio Automobile Insurance Plan (OAIP)

Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA)

Wisconsin Automobile Insurance Plan (WAIP)

FAQ

What’s the average cost of high-risk car insurance?

On average, high-risk auto insurance policies cost around 90% more than a standard policy.

How long are you considered a high-risk driver?

Insurance companies consider you a high-risk driver as long as one or more risk factors remain on your driver profile.

Young drivers

will see their rates drop as soon as they gain at least three years of driving experience and turn 25. Motorists with a

car insurance lapse

could see their rates improve in as little as a year.

Most minor driving violations remain on your driving record for three to five years, but a serious charge like a

DUI

could stick for up to a decade. Finally, some motorists will pay above-average rates as long as they have an

expensive car

or poor credit scores.

Who’s considered a high-risk driver?

Car insurance companies consider a policyholder with a higher risk of getting into a car accident,

filing an insurance claim

, or causing

bodily injuries

property damages

to others to be a high-risk driver.

What’s the best car insurance for high-risk drivers?

Finding the cheapest insurance for high-risk drivers depends on

comparing car insurance quotes

while finding

the best provider

depends on comparing customer reviews.

Jasmine Kanter

Jasmine Kanter is a non-fiction writer specializing in comprehensive content that's accessible to beginners, experts, and everyone in between. Since joining the Jerry team, Jasmine has penned over 300 articles on car insurance requirements, driving tips, and car maintenance.

Prior to joining Jerry, Jasmine worked as a graphic designer, storyboard artist, and French customer service representative. She enjoys collecting hobbies and babysitting ducks in her spare time.

Amy Bobinger

Licensed Insurance Agent — Expert Insurance Editor

Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars.

Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.