The Best High-Risk Auto Insurance Companies

If you’re having trouble getting car insurance because of a lapse in coverage, an at-fault car accident, bad credit or a DUI, you may need a policy from a nonstandard insurer, also known as a high-risk auto insurance company. Nonstandard companies sell car insurance to drivers who are the riskiest to cover and may not be able to find policies from standard companies.

High-risk insurance companies typically charge customers higher rates than standard insurers.

What is a high-risk driver?

Not every “high-risk driver” has a bad driving record. The high-risk category includes a large swath of drivers, many of whom can’t get coverage from major insurers.

Many companies specialize in high-risk car insurance, but there’s no single definition all carriers use. High-risk drivers may include people who:

• Have tickets, at-fault accidents or DUI convictions.

• Have allowed their coverage to lapse.

• Are newly licensed.

• Are elderly.

• Have poor credit.

• Own an exotic or high-powered vehicle.

High-risk auto insurance companies will typically cover drivers who need an SR-22 or an FR-44, which certify you have enough insurance after a violation. Insurers will file the form with your state’s department of motor vehicles if you need one.

» MORE: How much car insurance rates go up after an accident

Where to find affordable high-risk auto insurance

Although a few major insurance companies, such as Geico and Progressive, do accept some high-risk drivers, others like Safe Auto and The General specialize in them. Depending on the risk factor in question, any of these companies could offer the lowest car insurance rates.

Certain agencies and brokers like Good2Go and Freeway Insurance also provide nonstandard insurance. Brokers charge an additional fee that they’re typically required to disclose. If you use one, ask if there are any additional fees not included in your car insurance quote.

The best high-risk auto insurance companies

If you’re considered a high-risk driver, shopping around for the best rates is crucial because each insurer prices policies differently. NerdWallet has evaluated both traditional and nonstandard auto insurance companies. Here’s a list of ratings for insurers that offer policies to at least some high-risk drivers.

NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account pricing and discounts, the ease of filing a claim, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and other considerations.

How much does high-risk car insurance cost?

High-risk drivers are likely to pay more than $565 per year, the average national cost for minimum coverage car insurance according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. But auto insurance rates at every risk level vary widely depending on your age, driving history, location and other factors, like the type of coverage you buy.

For instance, “full coverage” auto insurance can cost more than double what you’d pay for minimum coverage. Full coverage refers to a combination of different car insurance coverages, including higher liability limits, collision and comprehensive insurance.

Below are the average annual rates for minimum coverage for drivers with bad credit, an at-fault accident or a DUI, as compared to drivers with good credit and a clean driving history.

If you don’t want to skimp on coverage, you can change insurance companies to find a better deal. High-risk drivers, like all drivers, can find the cheapest insurance rates by shopping around.

We can’t predict what your exact rate will be, but we can provide averages for drivers with high-risk profiles. This includes consumers with bad credit or with an at-fault wreck or DUI on their record.

The cost of car insurance with bad credit

Below are the average annual car insurance rates for drivers with poor credit.

Full coverage rates listed include liability, comprehensive, collision and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Insurers in most states use a credit-based insurance score, which is slightly different from your regular credit score, to help determine how likely you are to file a claim. Your regular credit score is typically a good indicator of your credit-based insurance score.

Using credit history to calculate car insurance rates is illegal in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan, but our 2021 car insurance rate analysis found that bad credit can double your insurance costs in other states. That’s why it’s important to shop around.

Below are the average annual premiums for minimum coverage in every state for a 25-year-old driver with poor credit.

» MORE: Average car insurance costs

Car insurance costs for drivers with an at-fault accident

National average car insurance rates for drivers with an at-fault accident are as follows:

On average, auto insurance rates go up about 50% after an at-fault accident, according to NerdWallet analysis. In addition to a base-rate increase for the wreck, you may lose any “good driver” discounts associated with your policy. Other marks on your record and the severity of the accident will determine how much your rates increase.

Below is the average annual premium for minimum coverage in every state for a 25-year-old driver with one at-fault accident.

An accident generally affects car insurance rates for three to five years, so be sure to shop for auto insurance quotes on those anniversaries.

» MORE: How long auto accidents can affect your insurance rates

Car insurance costs for drivers with a DUI

Having a DUI on your record could nearly double your car insurance rates, according to NerdWallet’s analysis. Below are the average annual auto insurance rates for a driver with a DUI.

» MORE: DWI vs. DUI: understanding the difference

As always, these rates fluctuate significantly depending on state and company. Below are the average annual rates for minimum coverage in every state for a 25-year-old driver with a history of DUI.

Again, shopping around for a high-risk policy is the best way to find the cheapest policy available.

» MORE: Best cheap car insurance after a DUI

Evaluating high-risk auto insurance companies

As you compare high-risk car insurance options, look for a company that is financially strong (so you can be confident it’ll be able to pay claims) and that doesn’t have too many complaints.

Here’s what you should evaluate:

Complaints: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners collects data on complaints about insurance companies and calculates a ratio for each type of insurance. The NAIC’s ratios are based on the number of complaints filed against an insurance company with state regulators, adjusted for market share. The national median is 1.00. Very high complaint ratios — higher than 1.7 — are out of the ordinary and often indicate a company has had many unsatisfied customers relative to the value of premiums it has written during the year.

Financial strength: The financial strength of a company tells you how likely it is the insurer can pay a claim. An insurer with any of the A grades is a safe bet, but not all car insurance companies have a financial strength rating. A company could be unrated by A.M. Best for a variety of reasons, including that the company hasn’t requested a rating or requests not to be rated anymore.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s auto insurance reviews

If no car insurance company will accept you

Even after applying to several nonstandard insurance companies, you may still be denied coverage. As a last resort, you can turn to your state’s high-risk insurance pool through the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office.

How to avoid high car insurance rates

Some factors that insurers view as risky, such as age, are outside your control. Others, like owning a fancy car, may not be things you want to change. In general, here are some ways to get out of the high-risk insurance category (and lower your rates) as soon as possible:

• Take steps to improve your credit. Drivers with poor credit and a clean driving record can pay almost as much for car insurance as a driver with a DUI, according to NerdWallet’s 2021 rate analysis.

• Drive safely. You can even take a driver safety course and earn discounts from some companies after completion.

• Shop for better insurance rates three years and five years after a traffic violation conviction.

• Don’t let your auto insurance lapse. Drivers with a gap in coverage are labeled high-risk, even if they don’t own a car. Non-owner car insurance can help you avoid being labeled as a high-risk driver.

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