
GEICO, Direct Auto, Progressive, Nationwide, and USAA are our top picks for high-risk drivers.
Full Coverage Averages for High-Risk Drivers
Full Coverage Averages
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.
Cheapest Standard Provider: GEICO
Best for Hard-to-Insure Drivers: Direct Auto
Best for DUI: Progressive
Best for Bad Credit: Nationwide
Best for Military and Veterans: USAA
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:
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.
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 |
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.
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% |
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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% |
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:
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:
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.
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.
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% |
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.
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.
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% |
Many of USAA’s discounts are still available even if you have at-fault accidents or violations on your record:
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.
GEICO has the cheapest rates for high-risk drivers, at an average of $2,553 annually ($213 monthly).
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.
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.
At AutoInsurance.com, we assess car insurance companies based on four key areas:
Learn more about our ratings and methodology.
Average Annual Miles per Driver by Age Group. Federal Highway Administration. (2022).
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/onh00/bar8.htm