Drivers with blemishes on their driving record tend to pay more than those without them. A DUI conviction, for example, can raise rates by 93% on average, according to The Zebra. Even one at-fault accident can raise your rates by up to 50%.
Teens, people older than age 70, and drivers with bad credit can also be considered high-risk drivers, too, and pay higher rates than those not in these categories.
We've compiled the best car insurance for drivers in a variety of high-risk categories. For more information on how we made our picks, see our methodology.
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Best car insurance for high-risk drivers
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Best for teen drivers: State Farm
- High customer satisfaction ratings
- Available in most states
- Affordable rates for teen drivers
- Doesn’t offer gap insurance
- Accident forgiveness requires 9 years accident-free
- Have to work with an agent to buy a policy..
Who's this for? State Farm has affordable rates for teens, as well as discounts for completing a driver education course or leaving the car at home when they go to college. Students who maintain a B or better average can get up to 25% off.
Standout benefits: State Farm offers travel expense reimbursement, paying up to $500 for food, lodging and related costs if your car breaks down more than 50 miles from home — a useful benefit for those who travel home for breaks and between semesters.
Best for multiple accidents: Erie
- Affordable premiums
- High customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power
- Quotes available online
- Only available in 12 states and Washington, D.C.
- Can't buy a policy online
- Fewer discounts than competitors
Who's this for? Erie offers a rate lock feature, which keeps your rates from rising, even if you need to file a claim.
Standout benefits: Erie has been well-known for its customer satisfaction; it earned top marks in the 2026 J.D. Power Insurance Shopping Study.
Best for speeding tickets: Geico
- 16 discounts are available to lower premiums
- Easily purchase and manage policy online
- Policy add-ons can include roadside assistance and mechanical breakdown insurance
- No gap insurance
- Few branches for in-person services
- Ranks below average for customer service and claims on J.D. Power surveys
Who's this for? Geico has affordable rates, even for drivers with a speeding ticket or two. There is also a long list of discounts available to anyone, from those based on your car and its features, to affiliation discounts for alumni, military members and more.
Standout benefits: Geico offers a range of other insurance products, including homeowners and renters insurance, making it easy to bundle and save. Plus, if you have multiple cars in your household, Geico offers a multi-vehicle discount of up to 25% off.
Best for DUI or DWI: Progressive
- Small-accident forgiveness included with all policies — Accidents with claims of $500 or less will not affect your rates.
- Large accident forgiveness also available
- Non-owner car insurance and SR-22 certificates available
- Offers decreasing deductibles for each year you're accident-free
- Below-average customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power
- Above-average number of complaints
- Snapshot safe-driving discount program could result in rate increase
Who's this for? Progressive's rates for drivers with DUIs and DWIs are lower than those of many other insurers.
Standout benefits: The brand offers a variety of coverage, including rideshare insurance and three tiers of accident forgiveness.
Best for drivers with bad credit: Dairyland
- Insures drivers who might otherwise have a hard time getting coverage due to credit scores or accidents
- Can help drivers file an SR-22 certificate with their state, if necessary
- Also offers coverage for motorcycles and off-road vehicles for bundling
- California policies include limited coverage for driving in Mexico
- Not available in all 50 states
- Higher-than-average rates
- Limited number of discounts
Who's this for? Dairyland specializes in insuring drivers with low credit scores or limited credit history, so it could be more available to those who have been turned down elsewhere.
Standout benefits: If you require an SR-22 or FR-44 certificate — forms which may be required by your state to prove your coverage after a major infraction like a DUI — Dairyland can help with this process. Additionally, all Dairyland policies in California include limited coverage for travel in Mexico.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
Geico auto coverage is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with 16 discounts and add-ons like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.
Progressive offers an array of riders, including rideshare insurance and a Deductible Savings Bank that deducts $50 each policy period you go without a claim. It also offers mechanical breakdown insurance, which covers unexpected major system failures.
What is high-risk car insurance?
There's no industry standard, but many insurers will consider you a high-risk driver if you have:
- An at-fault accident
- A speeding ticket
- A DUI or DWI conviction
- An SR-22 or FR-44 certificate filed with your state
- A high number of points on your license
- A low credit score
- Multiple insurance claims filed in the last three years
Having a lapse in coverage, being a teen driver or living in a high-crime area can also put you in a high-risk category.
How high-risk drivers can lower their insurance rates
While you can't erase a ticket or accident from your record, you can take steps to mitigate higher premiums. Take these six steps to save.
Step 1: Enroll in a safe driving course
Completing an approved defensive driving course shows insurers you're taking steps to become a better driver and may result in a discount.
Step 2: Bundle policies
Getting an auto policy from the same company you use for home or renters insurance can save you more than 20%.
Step 3: Improve your credit
In most states, your credit-based insurance score can be used to determine how much you'll pay for insurance. Paying your bills in full, limiting how many credit card applications you submit and otherwise boosting your credit score can help lower your car insurance rates.
Step 4: Shop around
Compare quotes from several insurers to make sure you get the best deal. Some insurance companies, including Dairyland, specialize in high-risk drivers.
Step 5: Raise your deductible
You could save by increasing your policy's deductible, or the amount you'd pay if you had to file a claim. Typically, this is a flat dollar amount, like $250. Raising it to $500 or even $1,000 will lower your premiums. However, you'll want to make sure it's reasonable, as you'd need to cover it if you were involved in an accident.
Step 6: Pay in full upfront
Many insurers charge installment fees or add them to your cost if you choose to split your payment over time. Paying your full premium up front can help reduce your costs.
What to do if you're denied coverage
If an auto insurance provider rejects you, it's worth applying to several others: Insurance companies treat drivers differently when deciding on approvals and premiums.
An insurance agent can also help you find coverage that fits your needs and driving record.
If you're still having trouble getting covered, consider a state-assigned risk pool. These programs can help make sure you'll get coverage, though the price might be higher.
FAQs
How much does car insurance go up after an accident?
Insurance premiums can go up by as much as 50% after an at-fault accident, although it depends on your age, driving history, location and other factors.
How long are you considered a high-risk driver?
Insurance companies generally only look at your record for the past three to five years, though your state may keep a record of your driving for considerably longer.
What is the cheapest car insurance company for high-risk drivers?
If you are considered a high-risk driver, the cheapest auto insurance policy for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your driving record, age and coverage needs. Overall, State Farm, Erie, Geico, Progressive and Dairyland have some of the lowest rates and best coverage options for those with an accident, DUI or other incidents on their record.
Will my insurance go up even if an accident isn't my fault?
Only a few states, including Oklahoma and California, prohibit insurance companies from raising rates for customers who were not held liable. In general, insurers assess risk based on your driving history, so any collision reported to the police or your insurance company can result in a premium increase.
How much is high-risk car insurance?
Car insurance for high-risk drivers is more expensive but the severity of the price difference depends on the situation. A speeding ticket could hike your rates by about $385 per year, according to the annual average reported by The Zebra. Additionally, an at-fault accident can raise premiums by up to 50% and a DUI could lead to a 93% increase.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed financial decisions. Every car insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Our methodology
CNBC Select reviewed more than 30 insurers offering coverage to high-risk drivers, focusing on average premiums across various high-risk categories.
Sample premiums are based on data from The Zebra. We considered each company based on coverage options, add-ons, discounts, nationwide availability and online experience.
We reviewed customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power, the Better Business Bureau and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, as well as financial strength ratings from A.M. Best.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Based on that criteria, our picks for the best car insurance for high-risk drivers are:
- For teen drivers: State Farm
- For multiple accidents: Erie
- For speeding tickets: Geico
- For DUI/DWI: Progressive
- For bad credit: Dairyland
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