Insurance
High-Risk Car Insurance
Published September 24, 2026 · Last updated October 1, 2026
Advertiser disclosure: AssistQuote may be paid when you visit or do business with a partner through our links. The provider sets your price. How we make money
The short answer
You're a high-risk driver when insurers expect you to file more claims than average. That usually happens after a DUI, several tickets or at-fault crashes, or a gap in your coverage. You can still get insured. It usually just costs more, and you may need to look beyond the big-name companies.
Here's what makes insurers see you as high risk, where to find coverage, and how to work your way back to regular rates.
- No phone number neededSee costs and options before you share any contact details.
- Real price ranges, with sourcesWe name where every number comes from and when it was published.
- You choose who to contactWe show options. You decide if, when and who to reach out to.
We never ask for a Social Security number, date of birth or documents.
What makes you a high-risk driver
According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurers may turn you down or charge more for reasons like these:
- Your driving record. At-fault crashes, traffic tickets, or a DUI or DWI conviction.
- Little or no experience. New drivers, including teens. See car insurance for teens.
- No recent insurance. A lapse, or never having had a policy.
- Your credit, in states that allow insurers to use it.
- Where you live, if theft and vandalism are common there.
- Your car, especially high-performance models.
You don't have to hit every item on the list. One serious violation, like a DUI, can be enough on its own.
Where high-risk drivers get coverage
You have three main places to look. Start with the first and work down.
1. Regular insurers, at a higher price
Many standard companies will still write a policy for you, with a surcharge. Getting several quotes matters more here than for almost anyone else, because insurers weigh a past violation differently.
2. Non-standard insurers
Some companies specialize in high-risk drivers. Insurers call this the non-standard market. These companies expect drivers with tickets, crashes, or lapses, and they price for it. The Insurance Information Institute notes they may offer broader coverage than a state plan.
3. Your state's assigned risk plan
If nobody will sell you a policy, every state has a backup. The most common is an assigned risk plan, sometimes called a risk pool. You apply, and the state assigns you to an insurer that must accept you.
In California, for example, the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan is for drivers who can't buy liability coverage because of a poor driving record.
The catch is cost. Premiums in these plans are substantially higher than buying directly from a private company. Treat it as a last resort, and a temporary one.
To find your state's plan, ask an insurance agent or your state insurance department.
If your state requires an SR-22
After some violations, like a DUI or driving uninsured, your state may require an SR-22. That's a form your insurer files with the state to prove you carry at least the minimum coverage. Not every insurer will file one, so ask before you buy. See SR-22 insurance for how it works and how long you'll need it.
Don't own a car? You may still need an SR-22 to get your license back. A non-owner policy can cover that. See car insurance without a car.
How to keep the cost down while you're high risk
- Compare more quotes than usual. Include non-standard insurers, not just the companies you see on TV.
- Consider liability-only coverage on an older car. If your car isn't worth much, collision and comprehensive may cost more than they're worth. See liability-only car insurance.
- Raise your deductibles on collision and comprehensive, if you could pay them after a crash.
- Ask about a defensive driving course. Some insurers give a discount for finishing one.
- Pay on time, every time. A new lapse makes everything harder.
How to get back to regular rates
Being high risk isn't permanent. The Insurance Information Institute suggests these steps:
- Drive clean. Every year without a ticket or at-fault crash helps.
- Take a defensive driving course.
- Keep your coverage continuous. No gaps, even when you switch companies.
- Work on your credit, if your state lets insurers use it.
- Drive a safer, less theft-prone car.
Shop again each year at renewal. As old violations age off your record, a standard insurer may offer you a better price than your current one.
Not a quote or an offer. Your price comes from the insurance company.
Keep reading
Need proof of insurance for the state? See SR-22 insurance. Want to know what moves your price? See what affects your auto insurance price.
More car insurance guides: Car insurance cost · SR-22 insurance · Liability-only car insurance · Car insurance for teens · How to lower car insurance · What affects your auto insurance price · What comprehensive covers · Car insurance without a car · Umbrella insurance · All car insurance
Car insurance by state: Texas · Florida · California · Georgia · Ohio · New York · Michigan · Pennsylvania · Illinois
Why AssistQuote is different
On some websites
They ask who you are first
Some forms want your name and phone number before they show you anything useful. You may not know which companies will get it, or how many will call.
Here, you choose
Answer a few questions without giving your name, email or phone number. See prices, what to ask, and providers to explore. You choose who to contact and what to share with them.
- 1
Check local costs
See typical price ranges for your area and what moves the price up or down.
- 2
Tell us what you need
Answer a few questions about the work, not about who you are.
- 3
You decide what's next
Save or email your options, or visit a provider when you're ready.
Cost information is not a live rate, quote or offer. A provider shown here is not an endorsement. Each provider sets its own prices, privacy and contact rules.
Questions people ask
Ready to see high-risk car insurance options in your area?
Start with your ZIP code. You will see typical local costs and options to explore. No phone number, email or name needed to look.
You choose if, when and who to contact.
Related services
Boat Insurance
Compare boat and watercraft coverage options.
Motorcycle Insurance
Explore motorcycle coverage options for riders.
RV Insurance
Explore coverage options for motorhomes and travel trailers.
SR-22 Insurance
See what an SR-22 filing is, how long your state requires it, and how to avoid a lapse.