Does a Felony Affect Your Car Insurance?
Insurance rates are influenced by factors like driving record, coverage gaps, and credit history; non-driving felonies generally do not affect premiums.
Can you get car insurance with a felony on your record?
🔍 Does a felony affect car insurance rates?
For the purposes of car insurance, felonies fall into two primary categories: driving-related and non-driving violations. An offense involving a vehicle will typically impact your ability to find a car insurance policy — and your rates — more than will a non-driving violation.
Driving-related felonies
If you are convicted of a driving-related felony, expect some serious insurance implications. Driving-related felonies include the following convictions:
- Vehicular homicide/manslaughter
- Repeat DUIs or multiple DUI convictions
- Repeat traffic offenses, such as reckless driving or driving without a license
- Certain hit-and-run offenses
- Insurance fraud
Insurance companies base their business on predicting and managing risk. Serious driving felonies like multiple DUIs or vehicular manslaughter signal very high risk, which can lead insurers to deny coverage altogether. This is legal, and drivers usually have no recourse if they’re turned down.
Even if you’re not denied, a felony on your record can still mean much higher premiums. Insurers raise rates to offset the likelihood of expensive claims, such as large injury payouts or lawsuits. As the examples below show, even a single violation can drive up costs—so a felony can have an even greater impact.
Cheap Car Insurance After a DUI
Your premiums will probably rise after a DUI or DWI. It's important to carefully weigh your options to find the best rate in these challenging circumstances.
Updating data...
| Accident/Violation | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| DUI | $1,720 |
| Racing | $1,646 |
| Driving with a suspended license | $1,598 |
| Reckless driving | $1,594 |
| None | $880 |
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.
The best way to save is to compare rates from multiple insurers.
Non-driving felonies
Because insurance companies do not run criminal background checks, a non-driving-related offense will not directly impact your premium. However, your premium can be affected indirectly if one of the rating factors used to calculate your premium changes as a result of your imprisonment. The factors that can lead to elevated premiums include lapses in insurance coverage or changes to your credit score.
If you did not maintain an active car insurance policy during your time in prison — an understandable circumstance — insurance companies may see a lapse in coverage, resulting in higher premiums. While not as costly as a driving-related offense, a gap in coverage is still viewed as an indicator of risk.
Updating data...
| Insurance history | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| No history | $1,184 |
| 6 months | $1,134 |
| 1 year | $1,079 |
| 3 years | $1,068 |
| 5 years | $1,043 |
Source: The Zebra
The average difference between having no coverage before requesting a quote (0 months with a previous car insurance company) and 12 months of coverage is more than $1,500 per year. Depending on the duration of your incarceration, this could lead to significantly higher auto insurance rates.
Another way in which your premium could be impacted is if your credit score drops. Credit is a major rating factor used to determine your premium. Historical data show drivers with poor credit make more claims — and more costly claims — than do drivers with high credit. Insurance companies will raise premiums to offset this risk.
Updating data...
| Company | Excellent Credit | Poor Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $1,149 | $2,395 |
| USAA | $1,216 | $2,393 |
| State Farm | $1,224 | $4,126 |
| Nationwide | $1,331 | $1,984 |
| GEICO | $1,397 | $2,174 |
| Progressive | $1,461 | $3,716 |
| Farmers | $1,525 | $2,724 |
| Allstate | $2,160 | $3,434 |
Source: The Zebra
Car Insurance with No Credit History
Because your credit score is a major rating factor using in your car insurance quote, incomplete credit history can be a problem. Let's assess the best options.
Where to buy car insurance after a felony
If you were found guilty of a driving offense, finding car insurance can be difficult and expensive. Your best option is to assess as many companies as possible. Consider non-standard companies, which might be less likely to deny coverage. Another option to keep in mind is "Assigned Risk Car Insurance." This policy covers drivers who have been denied insurance from multiple providers. Assigned Risk insurance is state-specific, so consult your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles page for information.
⚠️ Consider assigned risk insurance as a last resort.
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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.