The Best Car Insurance Companies for High-Risk Drivers
Use The Zebra to get insurance quotes for high-risk drivers from GEICO, Nationwide, Liberty Mutual and Allstate (+100 other companies)
Auto insurance for the high-risk driver
If you're considered a high-risk driver, you've likely had trouble finding decent car insurance coverage that doesn't break the bank. Insurance companies see drivers with multiple infractions as more of a financial liability and therefore charge higher rates to compensate. While the high-risk driver might have fewer choices, it's not impossible to find car insurance coverage under these circumstances.
We're here to help. The Zebra recommends starting your search with USAA, State Farm and American Family Insurance to get the best rates. Below you'll find our top choices for high-risk auto insurance providers, average rates, and more.
Key takeaways
- High-risk auto insurance covers drivers with poor records, leading to higher rates and fewer options
- USAA, State Farm, and American Family Insurance cater to high-risk drivers with smaller rate hikes and discounts
- Assigned risk insurance is the last resort for drivers denied coverage elsewhere, but is more expensive
- To save on high-risk insurance, consider caution with claims, defensive driving courses, improving credit, and comparing quotes
The best car insurance companies for high-risk drivers
As a high risk driver, you have two options: stick with a standard insurance company and pay higher rates for better coverage and service, or try a non-standard carrier that caters to high-risk customers but may have poorer reviews. Let's explore both paths.
Best standard auto insurance companies
For the major standard car insurance companies, USAA, State Farm and American Family Insurance are three of the best for those with accidents or other infractions on their driving records. While these companies will raise premiums after an accident or other , these rate hikes tend to be smaller than those levied by other . Any of them could be a good fit if you're looking specifically for high- that are reputable and can meet the needs of other drivers in your household, as well.
For more rates, jump to our table on major insurers' average premiums with infractions.
American Family
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Above average review scores
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Offers accident forgiveness option for eligible policyholders
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Small rate increases for driving infractions
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Currently only serves 19 states
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Eligibility requirements for accident forgiveness coverage are strict
State Farm
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Minor rate increases after infractions compared to similar companies
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Robust coverage available nationwide
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Many discount options available that can help lower rates
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Higher overall premiums
USAA
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Typically the cheapest car insurance company across the board
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Offers accident forgiveness
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Plenty of discounts available
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Must meet eligibility requirements (be a member of the military or an immediate relative)
| Company | No violations | 1 violation | 2 violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,413 | $2,891 | $2,526 |
| American Family | $1,568 | $1,954 | $1,820 |
| GEICO | $1,542 | $2,047 | $1,579 |
| Nationwide | $1,476 | $2,171 | $1,476 |
| Progressive | $1,882 | $2,465 | $2,135 |
| State Farm | $1,569 | $1,957 | $1,569 |
| USAA | $1,365 | $1,749 | $1,378 |
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
Our agents are ready to help you get insured — no matter how complicated.
More companies that accept high-risk drivers
Some large and well-known car insurance companies offer non-standard policies alongside preferred and standard tiers. Most non-standard carriers have a smaller geographical footprint, so they may not be available in every state. Our top picks for insurance companies that accept non-standard drivers are GEICO, Progressive, and Kemper as they have garnered the highest review scores. Check out some average rates for other companies that accept non-standard drivers below.
The Zebra has also reviewed four other non-standard auto insurance companies for you to check out: Assurance America, Falcon, The General, and Direct Auto are worth exploring if you're a high risk driver. Our reviews discuss customer satisfaction, coverage options, discounts, and more. However, information on average premiums for these companies is limited, which makes it hard to calculate a fair rating.
Finding car insurance when you've been denied coverage
Because of the risk some drivers present, there are instances where no auto insurance company — not even non-standard insurers, some of which we've listed here — will issue you a policy regardless of how much you're willing to pay. In these unique circumstances, assigned risk insurance comes into play.[1] Assigned risk insurance is a last resort for drivers with very poor driving records seeking car insurance.
In order to qualify for assigned risk insurance, you need to prove you've tried and failed to get insurance multiple times and have been denied based on your driving record. Once that happens, an insurance agent will submit a report to the state notifying them that you need assigned risk insurance. Unfortunately, assigned risk insurance is typically more expensive than other forms of auto insurance.
Being “too risky” for an insurance company isn’t a definable quality. The easiest way to find cheap auto insurance as a high-risk driver is to shop around.
What driving factors make you a high-risk driver?
When an calculates your premium for your , they assess driving and non-driving factors to determine how much you pose.
First, insurers typically look at the number of violations or citations you've received. Each infraction typically results in a rate hike, but the type of violation and quantity push you further into high-risk territory. If you have one or more of the following points on your record, you may be considered high risk:
- At-fault accidents
- Speeding tickets
- Reckless driving charges
- Street racing charges
- DUIs/DUIs
Check out the table below to see average rates from top companies for each of these violations.
| Company | No violation | At-fault accident | Reckless driving | Speeding | Racing | DUI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,413 | $3,482 | $3,413 | $2,767 | $3,469 | $3,535 |
| Progressive | $1,882 | $2,936 | $2,725 | $2,390 | $2,856 | $2,481 |
| Farmers | $1,786 | $2,508 | $2,807 | $2,339 | $2,823 | $2,558 |
| GEICO | $1,542 | $2,344 | $2,727 | $1,906 | $2,774 | $3,230 |
| Nationwide | $1,476 | $2,334 | $3,114 | $1,943 | $3,215 | $3,464 |
| State Farm | $1,569 | $2,005 | $2,584 | $1,872 | $2,624 | $2,652 |
| USAA | $1,365 | $1,927 | $1,958 | $1,635 | $2,448 | $2,530 |
Comparing your car insurance options is quick, simple and hassle-free.
What non-driving factors make you a high-risk driver?
While violations and accidents can lead to higher premiums, a number of personal factors can also influence rates.
These factors are non-driving related, but can still have a significant impact on your car insurance premiums. However, every state has different laws on the books, meaning that some of these factors are not as impactful as others.
see teenage drivers as high- due to their lack of driving experience, which correlates to an increased likelihood of filing a claim. Read more about how to find cheap as a young adult.
Gaps or lapses in are seen as red flags by . Drivers with uninterrupted histories of carrying with high levels are seen as more financially responsible than drivers with lapses. According to our data, 33% of our customers are uninsured at the time of quoting.[2]
If you use your vehicle for rideshare or commercial purposes, your might deny outright based on the . Using your vehicle in high-density areas — and driving more miles — warrants the premium increase. Compare rates for pleasure use vs. commuter use policies.
rates will vary by vehicle type as well. Owning a high-performance vehicle is considered an added by can mean a potentially for a of these types of vehicles.
Many states use “points" systems to score driving violations. Each traffic violation is tied to a specific number of points that stay on your record for a length of time depending on your state and the severity of the violation. If you earn a certain number of points, you can have your license suspended or revoked.
To an , your is a reflection of what kind of you will be. Our data states that 14% of Zebra customers have poor credit scores.[2] Federal Trade Commission (FTC) studies show drivers with low credit scores are more likely to file a claim than drivers with better credit — and when drivers with poor credit do file claims, they lead to more expensive payouts. Any time more is involved, your will protect itself by charging an inflated premium.
| Credit Tier | Avg. Annual Premium | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Poor | $3,147 | $262 |
| Below Fair | $2,461 | $205 |
| Good | $1,760 | $147 |
| Very Good | $1,627 | $136 |
| Excellent | $1,506 | $125 |
If you have poor or low credit, Nationwide, GEICO and USAA will likely offer the cheapest policies.
If using your to determine your premium seems unfair to you, you're not alone — some states consider profiling a discriminatory practice and ban its use in determining car insurance rates.
"Unfortunately, the only real way to shake off a "high-risk" distinction is with time. To an insurance company, customers are no longer considered high risk after remaining infraction-free for some years. The more serious the violation, the more years insurance companies want to see pass: 3-5 years with no accidents and 7-10 years with no license suspensions or revocations will mean you are no longer high-risk."
Nicholas Fernandez — Senior manager of agency at The Zebra
How to save money on high-risk auto insurance
Exercise caution before filing a collision claim
These claims can dramatically increase your premium. So even if it seems cheaper in the short term to file a claim, you could ultimately end up paying much more in the long run. See our guide discussing when and when not to file an insurance claim (featuring our free claims calculator tool!) for more information.
Should you file a claim?
- Get an estimate for the out-of-pocket expense at a local repair shop
- Use The Zebra's State of Insurance study or claims calculator to see how much an at-fault accident would raise rates in your state
- Compare the out-of-pocket expenses to the rate increase plus your deductible in case it's cheaper to pay for the damage yourself
Take a defensive driving course
This solution won’t help if you already have the ticket on your record, but it’s something to keep in mind. Some states even allow you to take a defensive driving course in lieu of having points added to your record. Consider our partner iDriveSafely for an online defensive driving course. Available in nearly every state, the skills you learn in this course may help you become a safer driver, thus avoiding traffic violations and accidents. Learn more about iDriveSafely's defensive driving courses.
Improve your credit score
Improving your credit score from poor to excellent can save you more than $1,400 per year on auto insurance! On average, you can save about 17% with every credit score bracket you move up. According to The Zebra's rate data, drivers with poor credit (scores between 300 and 579) pay $137 more per month for car insurance than drivers with very good credit (between 740 and 799).
Go car-free for a while
If you’re a high-risk driver, you’re going to be paying quite a bit more for car insurance. If you can’t afford car insurance currently and can get by with public transportation, a bicycle or rideshare services, try going car-free. Bear in mind that a gap in insurance coverage can lead to higher rates down the line, so a non-owner policy could be a good option in the meantime.
Compare insurance quotes
This is the most effective way to save money on auto insurance. Not all insurance companies will rate or charge you for your violations equally. There is a lot of variation between companies and the only way to know you're getting the best rate possible is to compare auto insurance quotes near the end of each policy period.
Get personalized insurance rates in less than 5 minutes.
High-risk insurance FAQs
High-risk car insurance by state
Assigned Risk. Legal Information Institute
Anonymized User Survey. The Zebra
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.