Are safe and risky drivers charged the same price for car insurance?

Yes. Geico does insure high-risk drivers. For example, Geico will insure high-risk drivers who have to file an SR-22 or FR-44 form, asserting that they’re carrying the minimum insurance coverage required by state law after a DUI or other major moving violation. However, keep in mind that risky drivers are typically charged more expensive insurance premiums.… read full answer

High-risk drivers aren’t just those who have been in several accidents or received many tickets. Teenage or senior (65+) drivers and drivers who haven’t had continuous auto insurance coverage are also considered high-risk drivers in the eyes of auto insurance providers. Since so many different factors go into determining a driver’s potential risk, such as one’s driving record, credit history, residential area and type of vehicle, it’s unavoidable that Geico and most other car insurance companies will cover high-risk drivers to some degree.

Geico Insures High-Risk Drivers Who:

• Have little driving experience.
• Have a poor driving record.
• Have a gap in their insurance history.
• Have to file SR-22 or FR-44 (FL and VA residents) forms with the state.
• Have filed multiple claims.
• Live in a densely populated area.
• Are a teenage or senior (65+) driver.
• Drive a vehicle without safety features.

Sometimes, larger auto insurance companies group high-risk drivers under subsidiary companies to keep their policies separate from customers considered less risky. Geico’s high-risk subsidiary is Geico Casualty Co., and it specializes in coverage for customers that Geico calls “non-standard risks.” Geico uses its own points system to determine how much of a risk each customer poses, so customers don’t need to worry about seeking out the company’s high-risk subsidiary directly to get a quote or pay a bill.

You can get a free Geico car insurance quote online or by contacting an agent at 1-800-207-7847.

Most insurance companies check your driving record for the past three to five years, meaning if you had a violation outside this time period, it will not affect your insurance premiums. Some states regulate this “look-back” period, however, making it longer or shorter. For example, Massachusetts allows insurance companies to look back at 10 years of driving records. Virginia limits insurers to checking only three years of history.… read full answer

When you apply for, or renew, your auto insurance, the insurance company will evaluate your risk level — how likely you are to cost them money through claims. The best way to do this is by reviewing your driving record. Insurers look for accident reports and both major and minor driving violations.

Minor violations include speeding, failure to stop, improper turns, following too closely, etc. These raise your risk in the eyes of an insurance company because they show you don’t obey traffic laws designed to prevent crashes. In most states, minor traffic violations can be seen on your record for only three years.

Speeding (at least 20 mph over the limit), reckless driving, impaired driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and vehicular manslaughter are examples of major driving violations. They stay on your record longer. In Florida, for example, causing an accident while under the influence stays on your record for 75 years, basically your lifetime. Insurance companies count serious violations and at-fault accidents heavily in setting premiums.

Once the blemishes on your record are older than the look-back period, however, they are no longer a factor in setting your rates. For example, if your insurance company has a look-back period of five years, an accident you had in 2014 would stop affecting your rates in 2019. Your insurance rates should decrease at your next renewal as a result.