GAINSCO Insurance Review 2026

• High-risk drivers: GAINSCO specializes in insuring higher-risk drivers and those seeking SR-22 coverage; in fact, the company was founded specifically for this reason.
• Spanish speakers: GAINSCO offers bilingual customer support, making the company a good option for those who converse better in Spanish.
• Drivers of older vehicles: GAINSCO is best for minimum coverage, which excludes comprehensive and collision. Drivers of older vehicles may not actually need these coverages because the cost of the premiums may exceed the vehicle’s value.
• Customers who prefer year-long policies: GAINSCO recently offered 12-month policies for car insurance, meaning those who find good rates with the provider can keep them for longer.

Where is GAINSCO available?

Purchased by State Farm in 2021, GAINSCO offers policies that are underwritten by MGA Insurance. While GAINSCO is currently available in only 22 states, its business has expanded so policies may become more available. As of now, GAINSCO is available in the following states. Note that even with a state, a provider may not write policies in your specific zip code, so it’s always best to reach out for a quote.

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Maryland
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• New Mexico
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

Why I’d Like to Learn More About GAINSCO Insurance

Recently, I’ve become more interested in purchasing a non-owner policy. GAINSCO specializes in nontraditional policies, so I set out to learn more about their insurance offerings for non-owners.

Additionally, while I don’t need an SR-22, there are several reasons why drivers with an SR-22 might need non-owner insurance. If you’re required to file an SR-22 but no longer own a car, you need a non-owner policy in order to show you meet the state’s minimum auto insurance requirements. This may be essential to get your license reinstated and avoid further penalties.

A full coverage policy from GAINSCO costs on average $2,926 per year, which is around $600 higher than the national average. Its minimum coverage also typically comes in about $300 more than the national average at $1,069.

Still, GAINSCO’s above-average premiums are not surprising, since auto insurance policies for high-risk drivers are typically more expensive. If you fall into a high-risk category, GAINSCO may offer a more affordable option than other providers.

For full coverage GAINSCO is cheaper, on average, than Bristol West, Dairyland, Direct, Foremost, and Good2Go, but pricier than The General, Kemper, and National General.

As with any insurer, the exact cost of your policy will depend on your age, ZIP code, driving history, and chosen coverages. Get a quote to see how much you’ll pay.

Though GAINSCO offers fewer discounts compared to some other insurance providers, there are still several ways to save on your GAINSCO policy.

• Autopay discount: Signing up for GAINSCO’s auto pay program will result in lower premiums.
• Multi-car discount: GAINSCO rewards customers who insure more than one vehicle on a policy.
• Prior coverage discount: Get a discount if you have four continuous months of prior auto insurance coverage, with a less than 60-day coverage lapse before your GAINSCO policy goes into effect.
• Homeowners discount: Like many insurance providers, GAINSCO offers a discount to homeowners.
• Student discount: If you’re a full-time student with good grades, you may be eligible for a discount on your GAINSCO policy.
• Advance purchase discount: Purchasing your GAINSCO policy three to 30 days before the policy goes into effect qualifies customers for the advance purchase discount. This puts existing customers whose policies are up for renewal at a savings advantage.
• Pay-in-full discount: Customers who pay in advance for their auto policy are eligible for a discount.

As someone who rents cars frequently, I was curious if I might be able to get a non-owner quote from GAINSCO. It was clear to me, however, from a helpful infographic on GAINSCO’s website that one of the company’s limitations is its limited availability.

GAINSCO appeared not to offer insurance at all in Massachusetts, which is where I live. Still, to thoroughly review GAINSCO’s auto insurance offerings, along with its customer service experience, I wanted to learn more about its non-owners policies in other states.

The company provides the option to call an agent, and the number is highlighted very clearly on the landing page of its website.

GAINSCO specializes in minimum coverage, which is mandated by almost every state (New Hampshire being the exception). Required coverages and limits vary from state to state but almost always include bodily injury and property damage liability, which help pay for the other party’s injuries and damages if you’re at fault in an accident. Some states also require uninsured motorist coverage and medical payments/personal injury protection.

In addition to minimum limits coverage, GAINSCO offers:

• Collision coverage: Covers damage caused to your vehicle in a collision, regardless of who is at fault
• Comprehensive coverage:  Includes any damage or loss of vehicle that occurs from something other than a collision; for example, fire, extreme weather, and vandalism.
• Rental reimbursement: Covers a daily amount towards a replacement rental car while your car is being repaired (requires collision and comprehensive)
• Towing and labor: Coverage toward services if your car breaks down, like towing, tire changes, and jump-starts

Because GAINSCO is a smaller insurer, less data is available on customer satisfaction rates. Still, according to CRASH Network’s 2026 Insurer Report Card — which surveys collision repair shops on how well insurance companies guarantee quality repairs and customer service for drivers — GAINSCO’s level of customer satisfaction is below the national average. Its D+ grade ranks it 83 out of 91 insurers reviewed.

Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners gave MGA Insurance (GAINSCO’s underwriting company) a complaint index score of 2, meaning it has twice the number of complaints expected for a company of its size. Most of MGA Insurance’s complaints were claims-related, involving delays, adjuster handling, and unsatisfactory claims settlements.

While customer service may be lacking, GAINSCO rates well in terms of financial strength. In 2021, AM Best upgraded GAINSCO’s financial score rating from a B++ to an A-, which puts GAINSCO at an excellent rating. It remains at an A- as of 2026.

To maximize your chances of a smooth claim filing, Gainsco suggests not to leave the scene of the accident, report the claim immediately at 1-866-GAINSCO, and, if possible, take photographs of the accident scene and any damage to vehicles. You should not admit fault or discuss insurance coverage.

After you file your claim, you can track progress and updates through the online GAINSCO customer portal. Photographs of vehicle damage caused by an accident can easily be uploaded directly to the app.

In addition to its online customer portal and online quote tools, GAINSCO has an app for both Android and iOS, called the GAINSCO Quick Estimate app. The iOS app is rated 3 out of 5 stars, and the Android app is rated 3.7 out of 5 stars.

Users can only file claims via the GAINSCO app, though it looks like Android users have a smoother experience. iPhone users mention having trouble logging, while some Android users report that the GAINSCO app makes it easy to file claims.

• Request a quote
• Report a claim
• Make a payment
• Request a payment
• Contact GAINSCO
• Access latest company news

Android users report this app is efficient and easy to use, particularly for filing a claim.

Overall, GAINSCO can make sense for high-risk drivers who need minimum coverage, SR-22 filing, or a more flexible policy when other insurers may be harder to qualify with. Its rates are relatively competitive within the nonstandard market, and it offers some useful features like customizable coverage and 12-month policies.

That said, its limited state availability and below-average customer service scores are important drawbacks to weigh. If your main priority is simply getting insured at a reasonable price as a high-risk driver, GAINSCO may be worth considering, but drivers who value stronger service or broader coverage options may want to compare other insurers first.

RecapAt AutoInsurance.com, we evaluate providers on four main factors:

• Price (40%): We analyze average premiums for full and minimum coverage, including for high-risk drivers such as those with DUIs, speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or low credit scores. We also consider available discounts that may apply to these drivers, and availability of SR-22 filing. Our full coverage averages use the following limits:
  • Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability:  $100,000 per accident
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
  • Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
• Claims Handling (25%): We evaluate insurers based on their ability to provide prompt, transparent, and efficient claims handling, with fair evaluation of damages and timely resolution. Our assessments draw from sources like the CRASH Network Insurer Report Card and J.D. Power’s Claims Satisfaction Report, alongside financial strength ratings from AM Best and S&P. Real-life customer experiences are included whenever available.
• Customer Experience (25%): We evaluate the process of obtaining a quote, purchasing a policy, and making changes or accessing documents. The quality of both online and agent interactions, as well as the functionality of the company’s website and mobile app, are considered. Our sources include J.D. Power studies, the NAIC complaint index, BBB ratings, and app store reviews.
• Coverage Options (10%): We review each provider’s coverage offerings that go beyond state-required minimums, such as accident forgiveness, gap coverage, diminishing deductible, and more.

Learn more about our ratings and methodology sources.