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Check iconLast updated: May 9, 2025

The Best High-Risk Auto Insurance in 2025

GEICO, Direct Auto, Progressive, Nationwide, and USAA are our top picks for high-risk drivers.

Cheapest Standard Provider
Geico Logo

Full Coverage Averages for High-Risk Drivers

  • Annual Premium: $2,553
  • Monthly Premium: $213
Best for Hard-to-Insure Drivers
Direct Auto Logo

Full Coverage Averages

  • Annual Premium: $2,452 (all driver profiles, including clean record)
  • Monthly Premium: $204
Best with a DUI
Progressive Logo

Full Coverage Averages

  • Annual Premium: $2,798
  • Monthly Premium: $233
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In general, high-risk drivers pay more than others for auto insurance, but certain designations are costlier, like having a DUI. In some cases, an insurer may deny you coverage outright. At AutoInsurance.com, we considered dozens of insurers and chose auto insurance providers with affordable rates, varied discounts, and coverage options for individuals with a bad driving record. Alongside affordable rates, we looked at many factors, including at-fault coverage, medical payments coverage, and safe driving incentives.

Whatever their situation, all drivers deserve reliable auto insurance coverage at the right price. For that reason, we’ve conducted in-depth research to ease the search. Below, check out our best picks for car insurance for high-risk drivers.

Summary of the Best High-Risk Auto Insurance

  1. 1.

    Cheapest Standard Provider: GEICO

  2. 2.

    Best for Hard-to-Insure Drivers: Direct Auto

  3. 3.

    Best for DUI: Progressive

  4. 4.

    Best for Bad Credit: Nationwide

  5. 5.

    Best for Military and Veterans: USAA

What Is High Risk Auto Insurance?

High-risk auto insurance is a specialized insurance category tailored for individuals who are considered riskier to insure based on their driving history and other factors. Insurance companies classify drivers as high risk for various reasons, including:

  • History of at-fault accidents
  • Traffic violations (such as a speeding ticket or DUI conviction)
  • Lack of driving experience
  • Poor credit history

These factors indicate a higher likelihood of the driver being involved in future accidents, leading insurance providers to assign them a higher risk profile.

High-risk auto insurance policies typically include the same coverages as standard policies, though with higher premiums. The increased cost reflects the insurance company’s assessment of the greater financial risk associated with insuring a high-risk driver.

Best Auto Insurance Companies for High-Risk Drivers

  1. GEICO – Cheapest Standard Provider
    Among widely available carriers, GEICO has the lowest average rates for high-risk drivers. The company offers a host of discounts that can help reduce premiums.
  2. Direct Auto – Best for Hard-to-Insure Drivers
    If you’re struggling to find affordable coverage from a standard provider, Direct Auto is a great option for nonstandard insurance. It has a robust list of discounts that don’t require a clean record, flexible payment options, and local agents.
  3. Progressive – Best for DUI
    DUIs are one of the costliest high-risk driver designations. Progressive has the best rates for drivers with a DUI on their record.

Comparison of the Best High Risk Auto Insurance

Company Average rate for high-risk drivers With multiple at-fault accidents With a DUI With bad credit With speeding tickets SR-22 filing
State Farm $2,553 $2,889 $4,498 $2,492 $2,358 Yes
GEICO $2,452 (all driver profiles, including clean record) $4,542 $4,788 N/A $3,720 Yes
Progressive $2,798 $3,169 $2,770 $3,414 $2,640 Yes
Nationwide $2,787 $3,114 $4,225 $2,708 $2,355 Yes
USAA $2,731 $2,194 $2,916 $2,511 $1,747 Yes

Detailed List of the Best High-Risk Auto Insurance

1. Cheapest Standard Provider - GEICO

What We Like Most:

  • Lowest average rates
  • Widely available
  • Many discounts
Read Full Review

GEICO is known for cheap car insurance, and high-risk drivers are no exception. It has the lowest rates for high-risk drivers among our top picks, on average.

Thumbs upWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People with bad credit
  • pro
    Drivers with speeding tickets
  • pro
    Seniors and young drivers
  • pro
    Drivers on a budget
Thumbs downWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Drivers with at-fault accidents or DUIs
  • con
    Customers who want to bundle home and auto

Low Rates for Several High-Risk Categories

GEICO’s rates are competitive for drivers in several different high-risk categories, particularly drivers with bad credit, drivers with speeding tickets, and young drivers:

Category Market average cost for full coverage GEICO average cost for full coverage Difference
Bad credit $3,377 $2,492 -26%
Speeding tickets $2,511 $2,358 -6%
Young driver $5,327 $4,891 -8%

Multitude of Discounts

GEICO’s large number of discounts is one way it keeps premiums affordable. Even if you have a violation in your driving history, you can take advantage of the following discounts:

Discount Potential savings
Air bag 23%
Anti-lock brakes 5%
Anti-theft system 23%
Daytime running lights 3%
New vehicle 15%
Seat belt use Varies
Defensive driver course (must complete voluntarily, not as a result of a court order) Varies
Driver education (for young drivers) Varies
Emergency deployment 25%
Federal employee 12%
Membership and employee Varies
Military 15%
Multi-vehicle 25%
Multi-policy Varies

2. Best for Hard-to-Insure Drivers - Direct Auto

What We Like Most:

  • Local agents
  • Strong financial strength ratings (as a subsidiary of Allstate)
  • Flexible payment options
Read Full Review

If you’re having trouble getting insured through a standard provider, Direct Auto is a great option. It also offers some coverage options you don’t find everywhere, like Mexico car insurance and accidental death coverage.

Thumbs upWho It's Best For
  • pro
    High-risk drivers struggling to find an affordable policy from other providers
  • pro
    Spanish-speaking drivers who need high-risk insurance (bilingual agents available)
  • pro
    Customers who want to work with a local agent
  • pro
    Those who want to pay for policies in cash
Thumbs downWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Rideshare drivers
  • con
    Drivers looking for GAP insurance

Customizable Payment Options

Direct Auto offers many ways to pay for your policy, along with flexible payment options. In addition to its app and website, customers can also pay by phone or in cash at a Direct Auto location.

The provider also gives drivers plenty of options when it comes to payment dates and the down payment amount for policies. You can select the date and down payment that works for you, and you can choose between monthly installments and paying in full. Direct Auto makes it easier to fulfill payments on time, which is great since any gaps in coverage can increase your premiums.

Multiple Discount Options for High Risk Drivers

Since Direct Auto offers nonstandard insurance, its discounts are tailored to high risk drivers. You’ll find a sizable list of discounts that don’t require a clean record or incentivize safe driving behavior.

  • DynamicDrive: Get up to 10 percent off your policy when you participate in Direct Auto’s telematics program.
  • Payment: Direct Auto takes up to 9 percent off your premium if you set up autopay, pay your policy in full, or choose paperless billing.
  • Multi-product: Save up to 5 percent if you pair an eligible product with your auto policy, including life insurance and roadside assistance.
  • Military: Active service members enjoy a 25 percent discount on car insurance rates.
  • Good student: If you’re a full-time student with a “B” average (3.0 GPA), you can save up to 10 percent on premiums.
  • Senior: Enjoy up to 5 percent off if you’re at least 55 years of age and take a qualifying defensive driving course.
  • Driver education: If you take an eligible driver’s education course, you could get up to 10 percent off your policy.

3. Best for DUI - Progressive

What We Like Most:

  • Lowest rates after a DUI
  • Easy online quote process
  • Discount of up to 12 percent for insuring multiple cars
Read Full Review

Progressive has the lowest rates for drivers with a DUI of the companies in our analysis. It also offers some coverage options you don’t find everywhere, like gap insurance.

Thumbs upWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers with a DUI
  • pro
    People who need non-owners insurance
  • pro
    Households with multiple vehicles
  • pro
    High-risk drivers in Montana, where Progressive’s rates are especially good
Thumbs downWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Drivers with an at-fault accident
  • con
    Drivers with speeding tickets

Low Rates for Drivers With a DUI

A DUI will classify you as a high-risk driver. Your rates will increase and standard insurers may turn you down or drop your policy. Progressive is unique in that it’s a major provider that not only sells insurance to drivers with a DUI, but also offers competitive rates.

On average, your auto insurance rates will increase by 70 to 75 percent after a DUI, but Progressive’s go up by only about 30 percent.

Full coverage avg. with good record Full coverage avg. with DUI Progressive full coverage avg. with a DUI Difference
$2,399 $3,305 $2,770 -16%

Non-Owners Option

After a DUI or another serious moving violation, you may need to file an SR-22 (or an FR-44 in Florida or Virginia), even if you don’t own a car. An SR-22 certifies that you hold your state’s minimum coverage.

Non-owner insurance is for people who don’t own cars but still need auto insurance. The high-risk and non-owner categories often overlap for a number of reasons. Here are some examples:

  • People who received a DUI or moving violation, or caused an accident in a borrowed car
  • Drivers who sold their car after an incident and need an SR-22
  • New drivers who got their license to drive a rental car or Zipcar, or to establish in-state residency

FYI:

Only Florida and Virginia use FR-44s, which are reserved for serious violations. The states also use SR-22s for less severe violations.

High-risk drivers can purchase non-owner insurance from Progressive, and the company will handle filing SR-22s if you need them. The following coverages are available to non-owners:

  • Bodily injury liability
  • Property damage liability
  • Medical payments
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist

Note that non-owners cannot purchase comprehensive or collision coverage because they do not own cars that would need repair. If they get into an accident in a borrowed vehicle, the owner’s insurance will kick in first (including comprehensive and collision coverage). If the limits of the owner’s policy are reached (or the non-owner is explicitly excluded from their policy), the non-owner policy would kick in next.

4. Best for Bad Credit - Nationwide

What We Like Most:

  • Cheapest rates with poor credit
  • Mileage-based option
  • Few customer complaints
Read Full Review

Among the companies we analyzed, Nationwide has the best rates for drivers with a low credit score. It’s also one of the few major insurers to offer pay-per-mile insurance, which can save you even more money.

Thumbs upWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People with a credit score below 580
  • pro
    Drivers with speeding tickets
  • pro
    People who drive fewer than 10,000 miles annually
  • pro
    Customers who need non-owner insurance
Thumbs downWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Drivers with a DUI
  • con
    Rideshare drivers

Competitive Rates for Bad Credit

Statistically, people with bad credit are more likely to file claims, which is why bad credit is a high-risk designation. In some cases, an insurance provider might deny your coverage based on your credit score.

In every state except California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan, insurance companies can use your credit report as a factor to determine your premium. People with a low credit score may pay 60 percent more for insurance than people with an average score (on the flip side, a high score can save you around 20 percent).

FYI:

Insurance companies may require people with bad credit to purchase coverage beyond the minimum requirements.

Premium increases due to bad credit vary by state, but the nationwide average is about 80 percent. In many states, having bad credit is worse than a DUI. Nationwide’s rates go up by about 50 percent, making it a great choice for people with bad credit.

Market average cost for full coverage with bad credit Nationwide average cost for full coverage Difference
$3,377 $2,708 -20%

Pay-Per-Mile Program

If you drive only occasionally, you can save a lot of money with a pay-per-mile insurance plan. Nationwide is one of the few major insurance providers (along with Allstate) to offer a pay-per-mile option.

Examples of low-mileage, high-risk drivers include DUI offenders who are staying off the road and new drivers who prefer public transportation when available.

DID YOU KNOW?

On average, Americans drive about 13,500 miles per year, but drivers under age 20 and over age 65 drive only about 7,600 miles, in part because they don’t have to commute to work as often as other adults.1

With Nationwide’s plan, called Smartmiles, instead of paying a monthly premium, you’ll pay a monthly base rate and a per-mile rate. Here’s an example:

Monthly base rate Per-mile rate Average daily miles driven Total cost per month Total cost per year
$95 $0.07 15 $126 $1,518

If you drive infrequently or driving less as a result of a violation, we recommend looking into a pay-per-mile plan.

5. Best for Military and Veterans - USAA

What We Like Most:

  • Low rates for multiple types of high-risk drivers
  • Exceptional customer satisfaction
  • Offers non-owner and rideshare insurance
Read Full Review

USAA is available only to U.S. military members, veterans, and their spouses and children. The company offers some of the lowest auto insurance rates on the market, including for high-risk drivers.

Thumbs upWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Military members, veterans, and their families
  • pro
    Drivers with at-fault accidents, bad credit, a DUI, or speeding tickets
  • pro
    People who need non-owner insurance
  • pro
    Young drivers
Thumbs downWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People not affiliated with the U.S. military
  • con
    Drivers who need gap insurance and didn’t finance with a USAA loan

Good Rates Across High-Risk Categories

If you are eligible for USAA, it is likely the best choice regardless of your high-risk designation:

Category Market average cost for full coverage USAA average cost for full coverage Difference
DUI $3,305 $2,916 -12%
Multiple at-fault accidents $2,812 $2,194 -22%
Bad credit $3,377 $2,511 -26%
Speeding tickets $2,511 $1,747 -30%

Several Key Discounts

Many of USAA’s discounts are still available even if you have at-fault accidents or violations on your record:

  • SafePilot, which saves you up to 30 percent if you allow USAA to track your driving and you display safe habits after your accident or violation
  • Good student, for full-time students under age 25 with a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Defensive driver, for taking an approved course (assuming it was not court-ordered)
  • Park on a military base, which can save you up to 15 percent on comprehensive coverage
  • Bundling, if you purchase another USAA policy, such as property insurance
  • Vehicle features, if your car has certain safety features or an anti-theft device
  • Storage, which saves you up to 60 percent if you’re deployed or storing your vehicle for another reason
  • Automatic payment, which can save you 3 percent
  • Multi-vehicle, for insuring two or more vehicles on the same policy

FAQ

What is the best insurance for drivers with multiple accidents?

USAA offers the best insurance for drivers with multiple accidents. The provider’s average annual rate for drivers with multiple at-fault accidents is $2,194, which is 22 percent less than the national average. For drivers who don’t qualify for USAA, GEICO and State Farm also tend to offer competitive rates for drivers with multiple accidents.

What is the cheapest insurance for high-risk drivers?

GEICO has the cheapest rates for high-risk drivers, at an average of $2,553 annually ($213 monthly).

Are there insurance companies that don’t check your driving record?

No, all insurance companies check your driving record before selling you a policy or renewing your existing one. Most companies check your driving record over the past three years, although some may go as far as five to seven years back, depending on your state’s laws.

Will Progressive insure high risk drivers?

Yes, Progressive is known for being a major provider that insures high risk drivers (including those with DUIs), offering SR-22s and policies for customers with violations on their record. If you’re considered a high risk driver, contact Progressive for a quote or speak with a representative — it may depend by case.

Methodology

At AutoInsurance.com, we assess car insurance companies based on four key areas:

  • Price (40%): We look at average rates for various driver profiles, including those with a history of DUIs, at-fault accidents, or bad credit. We also examine the offered discounts. Full coverage averages use the following limits:
    • Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
    • Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
    • Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
    • Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
  • Claims Process (25%): A strong claims handling process from an insurer is timely, clear, and speedy. It also features clear communication at every step, fair damage evaluations, and efficient payouts. We analyze the claims procedure through third parties like the CRASH Network Insurer Report Card and J.D. Power’s Auto Insurance Shopping Report, and financial strength from sources like AM Best.
  • Customer Experience (25%): We assess the customer’s ease while interacting with the provider, from getting a quote to changing policies. We also take into account the accessibility and quality of both online and agent connections, as well as the company’s entire website and mobile app experience.
  • Coverage Options (10%): We evaluate each provider’s coverage offerings and value companies with choices beyond state-mandated limits, including gap insurance, new car replacement, rideshare coverage, and more.

Learn more about our ratings and methodology.

Maya Afilalo Headshot MBA Photo
Written by:Maya Afilalo
Managing Editor & Industry Analyst
Maya Afilalo holds over 10 years of professional experience in writing, communications, and research, which she leverages to provide accurate and reliable information to empower consumers. In addition to overseeing content production, Maya has herself written many articles on auto insurance costs, company comparisons, state laws and requirements, and other topics. She is committed to helping consumers navigate the complex world of car insurance with clarity and confidence. Maya holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s from North Carolina State University.

Citations

  1. Average Annual Miles per Driver by Age Group. Federal Highway Administration. (2022).
    https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/onh00/bar8.htm