Can You Get Affordable Car Insurance With a Bad Driving Record?

More than one in four drivers shopping for auto insurance reports at least one violation on their record.¹ Violations such as speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUIs will typically raise your rates. But how far up depends on the violation, your state, and the carrier. Each carrier underwrites risk differently, though. Some are more forgiving of certain types of incidents than others.

A bad driving record is one with enough violations or at-fault accidents to cause insurers to see you as more likely to file a claim. 

Insurers sort drivers into pricing tiers, often called “preferred,” “standard,” and “nonstandard,” based largely on your driving history.² The riskier you are, the more the insurer will charge. 

Here’s what sends up a red flag for insurance companies:

• At-fault accidents, especially multiple at-fault accidents in a short period of time

• Moving violations such as speeding, running a red light, or improper passing

• Major violations such as reckless driving, hit-and-run incidents, or racing

• Driving without insurance

• License suspension or revocation

• A DUI or DWI conviction

One minor ticket usually won't move you into the non-standard risk category. But a DUI, a serious accident where you’re determined to be at fault, or a stack of moving violations probably will.

Note: In many states, even an arrest for DUI will trigger an immediate administrative suspension of your license and an SR-22 or FR-44 requirement. To get your license reinstated, you’ll need to find a carrier willing to issue the required form with your DMV. This may result in higher insurance premiums.

Specifics vary by violation, state, and carrier. But serious moving violations can increase your annual premium by anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a minor ticket to well over a thousand for a DUI.

The table below shows estimated premiums for several types of violations.

There's no single best insurer for drivers with a bad record. 

Every company weighs violations differently. A company that’s relatively forgiving after a single speeding ticket may be very expensive after a DUI compared to other insurance carriers. And vice versa.

That’s why it’s important to get quotes from several competing insurers, using the same coverage types, limits, and deductibles.

While insurance companies do vary wildly, here’s what you can reasonably expect after each type of violation:

After a single speeding ticket

A single speeding ticket causes your premium to spike. However, it won’t trigger an SR-22 or FR-44 requirement. Standard insurance companies will still compete for your business.

After an at-fault accident

Look for accident forgiveness, which waives the surcharge for a first at-fault accident. Progressive, for example, includes small accident forgiveness in most states for claims of $500 or less and offers a larger program to qualifying long-term customers.³

After a DUI

Your options narrow significantly. Not every insurer wants DUI risks or is willing to file an SR-22/FR-44. Carriers in this space know you don’t have many options, and will typically charge very high premiums.

The cheapest option depends on your exact situation. Two drivers with the same speeding ticket can get very different quotes based on their state, ZIP code, prior record, vehicle, and which carriers want their business that year. That's why the cheapest insurer for a DUI is rarely the cheapest insurer for a clean driver.

When it comes to insurance, a lower quote can mean lower liability limits, higher deductibles, or fewer protections. Also, very low-cost carriers may cause you more problems if you have a claim.

For the best results, you should focus on value, not just the price. Compare the limits, deductibles, exclusions, optional coverage, financial strength ratings, and customers’ claims experience. Not just the premium.

In particular, focus on liability limits and SR-22/FR-44 requirements. 

Liability limits

Higher liability limits may provide substantially more protection than choosing state minimums just to lower the premium. If damages exceed your limit, the injured party may pursue you personally for the rest, though collection rights, wage protections, and asset exemptions vary by state.

The filing and the insurer

If your state requires an SR-22, or an FR-44 in Florida or Virginia, use a carrier that files it. If you don't own a vehicle, a non-owner policy may provide liability coverage and satisfy the filing, subject to state and carrier rules. If an SR-22 or FR-44 policy lapses, the insurer generally reports it to the state, which may cause another suspension or extend or restart the required filing period.

While a traffic violation or accident will raise your rates, you can still find affordable options. According to Luva research, drivers who shop after one to two years of coverage have the highest violation rate at about 30%.¹ This likely reflects that recent tickets and claims are among the strongest triggers for people to start shopping around.

Try these strategies to lower your premium with a bad driving record:

• Shop the nonstandard market: Carriers that specialize in high-risk drivers compete for business that other insurers turn away, which can keep prices competitive.⁴

• Use Luva to compare quotes: With Luva, you can shop many carriers at once. This is especially important if you have a less-than-pristine driving record, as carriers price risk very differently.

• Take a defensive-driving course: Depending on your state and insurer, an approved course may earn a discount or a limited point-related benefit.⁴

• Bundle: Bundling auto with renters or home insurance may help reduce your premiums, though savings can vary. 

• Increase your deductible: Higher deductibles mean lower premiums, all else being equal. Just ensure you set aside enough savings to cover the higher deductible if you need to file a claim.

• Go with liability-only insurance: Unless your vehicle finance company requires it, you can lower your premiums by dropping collision and comprehensive coverage. But don’t drop it if you’ll be financially devastated after losing your car in a wreck, flood, or other hazard.

Most insurers weigh roughly the past three to five years of driving history. Major violations, such as a DUI, may trigger premium surcharges for much longer than minor ones. 

Getting covered is straightforward if you work the right market in the right order:

1. Pull your own driving record first. Order your motor vehicle record from your state so you know what insurers will see, rather than being surprised on the quote.

2. Answer application questions accurately. Concealing a DUI or an accident can lead to cancellation, rescission, an additional premium, or a coverage dispute, depending on state law and the circumstances.

3. Compare the market. Use a comparison platform like Luva to see rates from carriers that work with drivers who have violations.

4. Handle any required filing. If your state requires an SR-22, or an FR-44 in Florida or Virginia, buy your policy through a carrier that files it. Not every insurer does.

5. Use the residual market only as a last resort. Every state has a residual market for eligible drivers who can't obtain coverage in the voluntary market. Coverage options and limits vary by state, and premiums generally run higher than comparable voluntary-market coverage.⁴

6. Reassess as violations age. As your record clears, shop around with standard carriers. You may qualify for lower rates.

Lu can help you compare and understand your options in plain language before you buy.