The Best Car Insurance Companies for High-Risk Drivers
- Cheapest company for "bad" drivers: American Family
- Use The Zebra to get insurance quotes for high-risk drivers from GEICO, Nationwide, Liberty Mutual and Allstate (+100 other companies)
Car insurance for high-risk drivers
High-risk drivers often face higher premiums and fewer choices — but affordable car insurance coverage is still within reach. If you’ve had multiple traffic violations, a DUI, or a serious accident, insurers may consider you riskier to insure, which can drive up your rates. You’re not alone — and being a high-risk driver doesn’t mean paying the highest rate.
The good news: Some companies specialize in covering high-risk drivers and offer competitive rates despite your record. Let's look at:
- What it means to be high-risk
- How much you can expect to pay
- Which companies offer the best rates
We recommend starting your search with USAA, State Farm, and American Family Insurance — three providers with solid options for high-risk drivers.
Best companies for high-risk drivers
As a high-risk driver, you have two options for car insurance:
- Stick with a standard insurance company and pay higher rates for better coverage and service
- 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 tickets or violations.
American Family: Pros and Cons
👍 Offers several lines of insurance and can bundle coverage
👍 Good overall ratings from The Zebra's customer satisfaction survey
👍 Small rate increases for driving infractions
❌ Currently, only in 19 states
❌ Limited add-ons and endorsements for auto policies
State Farm: Pros and Cons
👍 Comparatively minor rate increases after infractions
👍 Local agents nationally available
👍Ranked 3rd in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey for car insurance
❌ More expensive home insurance rates
❌ Fewer custom coverage options
USAA: Pros and Cons
👍 Typically, the cheapest car insurance company across the board
👍 Top customer satisfaction scores
👍 A wide range of coverage options and benefits
❌ Limited physical locations for those who prefer in-person meetings
❌ Must meet eligibility requirements (military member or immediate relative)
Updating data...
| Company | No violations | 1 violation | 2 violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,968 | $3,578 | $3,090 |
| American Family | $1,590 | $1,945 | $1,858 |
| GEICO | $1,899 | $2,537 | $1,944 |
| Nationwide | $2,140 | $3,311 | $2,154 |
| Progressive | $2,153 | $2,802 | $2,405 |
| State Farm | $2,356 | $2,875 | $2,356 |
| USAA | $1,662 | $2,139 | $1,676 |
Source: The Zebra
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
Our top picks for insurance companies that accept non-standard drivers are GEICO, Progressive, and Kemper, which have garnered the highest review scores.
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. Below are some average rates for other companies that accept non-standard drivers.
Updating data...
| Company | Avg. Annual Premium | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol West | $3,475 | $290 |
| Dairyland | $5,153 | $429 |
| Foremost | $3,404 | $284 |
| GEICO | $1,664 | $139 |
| Hallmark | $4,202 | $350 |
| Infinity | $1,771 | $148 |
| Progressive | $1,911 | $159 |
| Safe Auto | $3,209 | $267 |
Source: The Zebra
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
If you’ve been denied auto insurance, you’re not alone. Some companies — even non-standard insurers — may refuse coverage if your driving record includes serious violations or multiple incidents.
In these cases, assigned risk insurance may be your only option. It’s a last-resort program for drivers with poor records who can’t get coverage elsewhere.[1]
To qualify, you’ll need to show that you’ve applied for insurance several times and been denied due to your record. An insurance agent can then file a report with your state, which may approve you for the assigned risk pool.
Your best bet for saving money is to shop around, compare quotes, and find companies that work with high-risk drivers.
Can't get coverage?
Assigned risk insurance may be your next step, but keep in mind:
-
Assigned risk coverage is often more expensive than standard insurance.
-
Being “too risky” isn’t an official designation — every insurer has its own thresholds.
-
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.
Updating data...
| Company | No violation | At-fault accident | Reckless driving | Speeding | Racing | DUI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,968 | $4,464 | $4,207 | $3,432 | $4,357 | $4,379 |
| Nationwide | $2,140 | $3,542 | $4,799 | $3,006 | $4,998 | $5,255 |
| Farmers | $2,403 | $3,431 | $3,776 | $3,150 | $3,807 | $3,484 |
| Progressive | $2,153 | $3,286 | $3,133 | $2,741 | $3,206 | $2,777 |
| State Farm | $2,356 | $2,974 | $3,725 | $2,752 | $3,607 | $3,806 |
| GEICO | $1,899 | $2,912 | $3,414 | $2,367 | $3,491 | $3,946 |
| USAA | $1,662 | $2,380 | $2,361 | $2,024 | $3,022 | $3,113 |
Source: The Zebra
Coverage for every driver—even high-risk.
Learn how to find savings even with a bad driving record. Plus, our price tracker will search for your lowest rate.
What else might make you high-risk — even if you’re a careful 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 significantly impact car insurance premiums. However, every state has different laws, meaning that some of these factors are less impactful than others. The collapsed table below has more information about individual state regulations that may be helpful.
Your financial history
Even if you’ve never had an accident, your finances can affect your insurance rates.
- Insurers often use credit-based insurance scores to predict how likely you are to file a claim.
- If you’ve had a lapse in coverage or a low credit score, you might be seen as a higher risk.
Tip: Try to maintain continuous coverage and check if your state limits the use of credit in pricing.
Where you live and drive
Your ZIP code affects more than just your mail — it shapes your insurance price, too.
- Living in a high-traffic, high-claim area usually means higher rates.
- If you use your car for rideshare driving or long commutes, insurers may also charge more to reflect that added risk.
Tip: Be sure your policy matches how you actually use your car — commuter vs. pleasure use matters.
Your age and experience
Your car and driving record
Both the type of car, and the way you drive it, matter.
- High-performance or luxury vehicles usually cost more to insure.
- If you have points from tickets or violations, expect those to raise your rate, too.
Tip: Most points stay on your record for a few years, depending on your state — but shopping around can still lower your rate.
Updating data...
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $2,265 | $378 |
| Allstate | $1,873 | $312 |
| Farmers | $1,495 | $249 |
| USAA | $1,370 | $228 |
| GEICO | $1,193 | $199 |
| Nationwide | $1,061 | $177 |
Source: The Zebra
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
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.
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).
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 using 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.
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.
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
Insider knowledge, trusted guidance.
Get personalized insurance rates in less than 5 minutes.
High-risk car insurance FAQs
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.