What car insurance is best with a bad driving record?

Asked by: Jane Considine V  |  Last update: May 31, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (1 votes)

Have tickets or accidents on your record? State Farm and Geico are among our top picks for high-risk drivers. Car insurance companies consider motorists with a history of at-fault accidents, speeding tickets or DUI convictions high-risk drivers and charge them some of the highest rates of any demographic.

What is the cheapest insurance with a bad driving record?

State Farm is the cheapest major car insurance company for drivers with an accident or speeding ticket on their record. After an accident, full coverage insurance from State Farm costs an average of $154 per month. That's 41% less than the national average.

How to get auto insurance with a bad record?

Get a policy from a private insurance company that specializes in “high-risk” drivers –These insurers write "non-standard" policies for people with bad accident records, high-performance cars, or who live in high-risk neighborhoods.

Is Progressive good for bad drivers?

If you've been at fault in an accident, or you have a traffic ticket on your record, Progressive's rates are often higher than most companies. However, if you have a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction, Progressive actually offers cheaper rates than average, at $2,547 per year.

Is it fair that people with bad driving records pay more for car insurance?

If you have a bad driving record that includes an at-fault car accident, speeding ticket, or DUI, car insurance companies will typically regard you as a high-risk driver. As such, you can expect to pay higher car insurance rates than people with a clean driving record.

How To Get Cheap Car Insurance With A Bad Driving Record? - InsuranceGuide360.com

44 related questions found

What is the best insurance company for high-risk drivers?

State Farm and Geico are among our top picks for high-risk drivers. Car insurance companies consider motorists with a history of at-fault accidents, speeding tickets or DUI convictions high-risk drivers and charge them some of the highest rates of any demographic.

How do I clean my driving record for insurance?

How to clean up your driving record
  1. Take a defensive driving course. Many states will remove points or minor infractions from your driving record if you complete a defensive driving course. ...
  2. Dispute errors on your driving record. ...
  3. Contest your ticket. ...
  4. Fix minor issues immediately. ...
  5. Expunge your record. ...
  6. Seek a deferment.

Is Allstate good for high risk drivers?

Yes! Direct Auto is a trusted affiliate of Allstate that offers affordable policies, flexible payment options and discounts to high-risk drivers Even if you have a history of violations, accidents or low credit, Direct Auto has options to keep you protected.

Who is cheaper, Geico or Progressive?

GEICO is cheaper and has better ratings than Progressive. Your experience with GEICO and Progressive will vary based on individual rating factors.

Who is the most trusted insurance company?

Best car insurance companies
  • Best for customer satisfaction: Erie Insurance.
  • Best for seniors: Nationwide.
  • Best for liability insurance: Auto-Owners.
  • Best for claims filing : State Farm.
  • Best for bundling: American Family.
  • Best for accident forgiveness: Progressive.
  • Best for military members and veterans: USAA.

What makes a driver uninsurable?

Poor driving history is a top reason drivers can face challenges obtaining auto insurance. A track record of collisions, traffic violations, or DUI convictions can make getting coverage difficult and extremely costly. Insurers consider drivers with such records high-risk; some may deny coverage altogether.

How long are you considered a high risk driver?

How long are you considered a high-risk driver? Traffic violations, such as speeding, typically remain on your driving record for 3-5 years, depending on your state. At-fault accidents, DUI convictions, and other more serious violations may be considered for five years or more, depending on your insurer and state.

What do I do if I can't get auto insurance?

What to do when you can't get a car insurance quote
  1. High-risk insurers. ...
  2. Get added to a family member's policy. ...
  3. Improve your driving record. ...
  4. Fix your credit. ...
  5. Address other factors. ...
  6. Check back often for cheaper rates.

What is the cheapest insurance for bad drivers?

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers? This depends on your individual situation but among the major carriers, USAA tends to provide the cheapest coverage for drivers in a number of high-risk categories, such as at-fault accidents and speeding tickets.

What type of driving record is needed for insurance?

Auto insurance companies use your MVR, along with several other factors, to determine your insurance rates and coverage eligibility. Your driving history is a significant factor in determining your car insurance rate.

How far back does Geico look at your driving record?

Geico gets your driving record from your state's DMV or LexisNexis, and they check the past 5 years for accidents and moving violations. If you were cited for a moving violation or got into an accident mid-policy, your rates will not change until your next renewal.

Is Allstate cheaper than GEICO?

GEICO is much cheaper and has better ratings than Allstate. Your experience with GEICO and Allstate will vary based on individual rating factors.

Who typically has the cheapest insurance?

Geico, Nationwide and Travelers are among the least expensive for car insurance. Americans are paying a lot for car insurance these days: Average annual rates for a full coverage policy are up to $2,638 per year, while minimum coverage averages $767 per year.

What is accident forgiveness?

What is Accident Forgiveness? Available in select states, Accident Forgiveness is an auto insurance coverage option that potentially helps you avoid a rate increase after your first at-fault accident. Others on your policy can also benefit from Accident Forgiveness. But it can only be used once per policy.

What insurance is best for a bad driving record?

If you have a poor driving record in California, Mercury Insurance, Geico, Progressive are the cheapest options. Mercury Insurance has the lowest annual rate at $3,182. Having accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, will make you pay more for insurance.

Who's better, State Farm or Allstate?

State Farm earned a higher J.D. Power customer satisfaction score and a higher Insurify Quality (IQ) Score than Allstate. State Farm's IQ Score is 9.3, and Allstate has an IQ Score of 8.9. State Farm also tends to offer lower average rates than Allstate for both liability-only and full-coverage policies.

Is State Farm good for high risk drivers?

Because high-risk drivers are more of a financial liability than the average policyholder, State Farm charges them a higher rate. For example, drivers who have recently been convicted of DUI pay 213% more on average for their State Farm policy than drivers with a clean record.

How long do accidents stay on your record?

In the state of California, most vehicle accidents will stay on your record for around 3 years. However, more serious traffic violations will follow you for longer. For example, a DUI conviction will stay on your record for 10 years.

Why is my car insurance so high with a clean record?

The simple answer is that more factors go into the cost of car insurance than just your driving record. Your age, credit score, location, and more can all potentially influence what you end up paying for car insurance coverage, no matter how clean your driving record is.

How far back does Progressive look at your driving record?

Progressive gets your driving record from your state's DMV or LexisNexis, and they check the past 3 years for accidents and moving violations. If you were cited for a moving violation or got into an accident mid-policy, your rates will not change until your next renewal.