How can I get insurance with a bad driving record?

The cheapest full coverage insurance for bad drivers is from Geico and Progressive, which provide up to 40% in savings compared to other high-risk policies. For drivers with most types of moving violations on their record, including speeding and reckless driving, Geico is the best option. Progressive provides the best rates for drivers with more serious infractions such as at-fault accidents and DUI.… read full answer

In addition to the savings they offer bad drivers, both Geico and Progressive extend coverage to drivers whose states have required them to submit an SR-22 or FR-44. These are documents that serve as proof of insurance for individuals with severe infractions on their driving records, and many insurance companies will not offer coverage to drivers who need them.

Having multiple infractions from the last 3-5 years on your driving record classifies you as “high-risk,” which means you’re more likely to get into an accident or file a claim than the average driver. But even though bad drivers pay more for full coverage auto insurance, the exact amount varies depending on factors such as the seriousness of any previous infractions. For example, a speeding ticket will only increase your rate by about 25%, while a DUI causes it to go up by 80% on average.

Cost of Insurance for Bad Drivers, by Violation

Note: Quotes based on average rates from the largest insurance companies in California.

If your bad driving record is preventing you from finding a full coverage auto insurance policy that fits your budget, you have a few options. Depending on your driving record, you might want to consider getting coverage from a company that specializes in nonstandard insurance, like The General or Dairyland. If you’re still unable to find an insurer that will cover you, then you should consider entering your state’s assigned-risk pool.

While most assigned-risk programs will only allow you to get the minimum coverage required by state law, it’s a good temporary option while you work toward improving your driving record. Most insurance companies only take the past two to three years into consideration when calculating your premium, so if you practice good habits on the road for long enough, you’ll eventually be able to get a better deal. Long-term, you should look for a company that gives strong discounts for good driving, like State Farm.

You are considered a high-risk driver for 6 months to 10 years. It depends on how far back an insurance company looks in your official driving record and Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report for accident claims and moving violations, as well as the reason you were designated as risky in the first place. Not all auto insurance providers have the same rules regarding how long they consider someone a high-risk driver, and the “look back” time that insurance companies use when checking your driving record and claims history varies from company to company.… read full answer

Often, drivers have to wait for points they’ve accumulated from traffic tickets and moving violations to fall off their driving record, or become too old for an insurer to see, before their insurance provider will stop considering them a high-risk driver. Insurance companies use their own points systems to determine how much of a risk a driver poses and then calculate rates accordingly, but they generally follow the same timeline as the DMV when it comes to having those points fall off your driving record. That could take anywhere from 3 to 10 years.

Most minor traffic violations, such as speeding tickets or single-car accidents, typically stay on a driving record for 3 years. Major violations, like getting a DUI/DWI or fleeing an officer, will usually remain on your record for 5-10 years. You can request a copy of your auto insurance company’s point system, sometimes called a surcharge schedule, to get a better understanding of how accumulating points will affect your rate and how long the company may consider you a high-risk driver.

On the other hand, new drivers who have never had insurance, or drivers who have not maintained continuous insurance coverage, are usually only considered high-risk customers for the first term of their insurance policy (typically 6 months) so they can get established with a company or take steps to immediately improve their driving record, like by completing a defensive driving course. Teen drivers and adults with little or no history as an active driver are also considered high-risk drivers until they gain more driving experience.

Why Insurance Companies Could Consider You a High-Risk Driver:

• You’re a teenage or senior driver.
• You get a major traffic violation, like a DUI/DWI.
• You accumulate enough points on your driving record (the threshold for rate increases is usually two or four).
• You don’t have proof of at least six months of continuous insurance coverage.
• Your credit score is low, or you have no credit history.
• You rent rather than own your home.

The good news is you won’t be considered a high-risk driver forever, as long as you start driving responsibly and let enough time pass for your past violations to stop showing up on your DMV record. However, if you continue to get tickets, have accidents and/or let your insurance coverage lapse, you could be considered high-risk for as long as you’re an active driver.

An accident stays on your insurance record with Geico for five years. The accident will be factored into your Geico premium for the first three years. After five years, you can be considered for Geico’s good driver discount again, as long as you haven’t had any additional accidents or moving violations.… read full answer

How much will my Geico premium increase after an accident?

Your rate won’t increase if the accident is not your fault and the other driver’s insurance pays for your claim, or if the damage is less than $750.

Otherwise, Geico insurance will go up by about 45% after your first accident. After your second accident in less than three years, your insurance will go up between 95% and 155%, depending on the total cost of the claims. These surcharges will be in effect for three years after the claim.

Does Geico offer accident forgiveness?

Geico has two different accident forgiveness programs for drivers age 21 and up. The first program is free and waives the surcharge for your first accident. To qualify for a new claim to be forgiven, you must have had a Geico policy and been accident-free for at least five years.

In the second program, qualifying drivers pay for accident forgiveness as a supplemental coverage option. You’ll have to meet driving-record requirements that can change state to state, so it’s best to contact Geico directly to see if you’re eligible and get a quote.