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My record’s clean now but I still got a high rate with Dairyland

I had a rough driving patch a few years ago (tickets, one accident) but it’s been clean for 3 years now. I found Dairyland offering me insurance but my rate is way higher than some other quotes. Is that just the price for being “risk labeled,” or is there something I can do?

Oct 31, 2025 Madison, WI

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Author profile picture

Beth Swanson

Insurance Analyst

Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • Associate in Insurance
  • Professional Risk Consultant

Dairyland focuses mainly on high-risk insurance, which means they’re great if you’ve had recent tickets, a lapse, or a suspension. But if your record has been clean for a few years, you may have outgrown what they specialize in.

Even after three years of clean driving, carriers like Dairyland sometimes keep you in a higher-risk category until your oldest violations drop completely off your record or you build a longer streak of continuous coverage. They’re designed to help you get insured quickly when others say no, not necessarily to reward long-term clean driving.

Here’s what you can do:
Ask your agent to re-rate your policy: sometimes they can resubmit you as a “preferred” driver.
Shop quotes from standard carriers like Progressive, Travelers, or Nationwide; they tend to offer lower renewal rates once you’ve been claim-free for a few years.
Keep your coverage consistent: even a short lapse can restart your “high-risk” status.

If you’ve already rebuilt your record, you might save by switching to a company that specializes in clean or mid-risk drivers. The Zebra’s agents can help you compare rates to see if it’s time to graduate from a high-risk policy.

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