AutoInsurance.com is supported by commissions from providers listed on our site. Read our Editorial Guidelines.
Find Your Perfect Policy:866-843-5386
Find Your Perfect Policy:866-843-5386
Last updated: December 1, 2025Best Auto Insurance for High-Risk Drivers With a Bad Record in 2025
Kemper, Progressive, and American Family are among our top picks for drivers with a bad record.
Best for Hard-to-Insure
Editor's Rating:3/5
Average Monthly Cost
- Full coverage: $220
- Minimum coverage: $100
- With DUI: $336
Best After a DUI
Editor's Rating:4.7/5
Average Monthly Cost
- Full coverage: $172
- Minimum coverage: $59
- With DUI: $235
Best With a Speeding Ticket
Editor's Rating:4.9/5
Average Monthly Cost
- Full coverage: $169
- Minimum coverage: $54
- With speeding ticket: $172
Searching for affordable auto insurance can be more frustrating when you have a bad driving record. In some cases, insurance providers may even deny your application if you have an extensive history of accidents, claims, moving violations, DUIs, and other offenses that contribute to a bad record.
Regardless, we believe you deserve the best car insurance coverage even if you don’t have the best driving history. Beyond your driving record, insurance providers consider many other factors when estimating your premium — like your vehicle type, location, and the severity of your driving violations. The cheapest insurance for one driver may be different from the cheapest auto insurance for another.
We’ve assembled our top auto insurance providers if you are a high-risk driver with a DUI, speeding ticket, or at-fault accident, so you can still find quality coverage at a fair rate.
Overview: Best Auto Insurance for Drivers with a Bad Record
- Best for Hard-to-Insure Drivers: Kemper
- Best After a DUI: Progressive
- Best for Drivers With a Speeding Ticket: State Farm
- Best with a History of Accidents: GEICO
- Best for Military and Veterans: USAA
What is Considered a Bad Driving Record?
A driving history with multiple accidents, moving violations, traffic tickets, and other offenses that add points to your record is considered a bad record. These accidents and traffic violations include:
- At-fault accidents
- DUIs
- Speeding tickets
- Other moving violations
- A history of claims
Car insurance companies view drivers with a bad record as high risk because they are more likely to file a claim or get into an accident, just as someone with a poor credit score will see higher car insurance rates than someone with excellent credit.
High-Risk Drivers vs. Drivers With a Bad Driving Record
Although similar, high-risk drivers and drivers with a bad record aren’t necessarily the same. If you have a clean driving record but have poor credit, are a teen driver, or drive a mainstream car — like Dodges and Kias — that is likely to be stolen, providers will likely consider you a high-risk driver. On the other hand, insurance providers may view you as a high-risk driver if you have a bad driving record — even with good credit, a low-risk vehicle, or an otherwise non-high-risk background.
How a Bad Driving Record Affects Car Insurance Premiums
Car insurance providers are very particular about which violations affect premiums. While most nonmoving violations, like parking tickets, won’t affect your car insurance, moving violations, like DUIs or speeding tickets, will lead to premium increases.
Ultimately, drivers who tend to speed, drive under the influence, break traffic laws, and get into at-fault accidents tend to be the most expensive customers to insure, which is why their premiums are generally more expensive than those of safer drivers.
Here’s how much car insurance premiums will increase by violation on average:
| Violation type | Average annual cost before violation | Average annual cost after violation | Percentage increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| DUI | $2,356 | $4,461 | 89% |
| Speeding ticket | $2,356 | $2,730 | 16% |
| At-fault accident | $2,356 | $3,156 | 34% |
How to Lower Your Car Insurance Premium With a Bad Driving Record
Even if there isn’t much you can do to take your violation or claim off of your record, there are a few ways to lower your car insurance premium if you have a bad record. Below are some of the most practical and straightforward ways to find better rates with a bad record.
-
Take a defensive driving course.
If you’ve gotten a speeding ticket or DUI, been involved in an accident, or received another type of moving violation, you might be able to lower your rates by taking a defensive driving course. These tend to be online courses that require you to complete a series of modules in an allotted amount of time. Many of the providers on our list offer discounts for completing a defensive driving course, so speak to your agent about potential savings.
-
Increase your deductible.
Increasing your deductible is a sure way to lower your premium and can save an average of 7 percent to 28 percent per year. Your deductible refers to the amount you have to pay before insurance kicks in, and most deductibles start at around $500. If you increase your deductible to $1,000, you will see a monthly premium decrease.
-
Explore usage-based insurance options.
If you qualify for usage-based insurance, you could earn big savings on your car insurance by exhibiting safe driving habits. Usage-based insurance typically comes in two forms: pay-per-mile and driver safety programs. Usage-based insurance is a good option for drivers with a bad record because providers will base your premium primarily on how well you drive or how little you drive, not on your history. While your driving history will affect your flat rate, your monthly rate will be calculated based on your current driving patterns.
Comparison of the Best Auto Insurance for High-Risk Drivers With a Bad Record
| Feature | Kemper | Progressive | State Farm | GEICO | USAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto claims satisfaction rating out of 1,000 (J.D. Power)1 | N/A | 672 | 716 | 697 | 726 |
| Accepts SR-22 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Defensive driving discount | Yes | Yes (depending on your state) | Yes | yes | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Detailed List of the Best Auto Insurance for Bad Records
1. Best for Hard-to-Insure Drivers - Kemper
What We Like Most:
- Nonstandard insurer that accepts high-risk drivers
- Cheaper rates
- Bilingual agents
Kemper has been in business for over 100 years, and it specializes in high-risk auto insurance. The company offers low-cost insurance, multiple discounts, and 12-month policies for high-risk drivers with a bad record.
If you have a bad driving record and/or fit the high-risk category, you may find it difficult to find affordable car insurance. Your experience may be even more frustrating if your insurance is discontinued or you’re unable to find a new plan because no providers are accepting your application as a high-risk driver. If this is the case, you’ll have a much better chance of maintaining your insurance and finding affordable coverage with Kemper.
Learn more about how you can save and optimize your payments by reading our extensive Kemper pricing review.
Who It's Best For- High-risk drivers with several traffic violations
- Someone who has or needs an SR-22
- People with a low credit score
- People who want accident forgiveness or gap coverage
Who It's Not Best For
People who want rideshare coverage- Those who want to manage their policy primarily with an app
Coverage for High-Risk Drivers
Here are what driver rate increases look like for a few high-risk driving categories (compared to annual premium averages of $2,356).
| High-Risk Category | Average Annual Price | Average Percentage Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 21 years old or younger | $3,188 | 35% |
| Bad credit score | $4,126 | 75% |
| After a 45-day lapse in insurance | $3,174 | 35% |
| DUI | $4,461 | 89% |
Remember that these increases represent only high-risk driver categories. If you’re in one of these driving categories and you also have a bad driving record, your rate increase may be even higher.
SR-22 Benefits
An SR-22 is a certificate proving you hold the minimum required insurance coverage. Your state may require you to file an SR-22 through your provider if you’ve had a serious driving violation, like a DUI or driving without insurance. If you need an SR-22, Kemper will handle the paperwork. If you don’t own a car, Kemper sells non-owner insurance policies that fulfill SR-22 requirements.
Pro Tip:
Non-owner SR-22 insurance does not come with collision or comprehensive coverage, so you may be responsible for any damages to the vehicle you’re driving if you get into an accident.
Lower Your Rates and Drive Safely With Kemper Co-Pilot
Kemper offers Co-Pilot, a telematics discount program that rewards drivers with 10 percent off for participating. Drivers with a bad record can save and practice safe driving — without worrying about premium increases.
The Co-Pilot app gives you feedback after each trip to improve your skills, including phone use, speeding, and hard braking. Additionally, the app has a 4.8-star rating for the App Store and a 4.6-star rating for the Google Play store. Many users mention that it has successfully helped them drive more carefully.
Ask your agent about Co-Pilot before purchasing a policy, since it’s only available for new customers
2. Best After a DUI - Progressive
What We Like Most:
- Cheaper rates for drivers with a DUI
- Several ways to save if your premium increases
- Accident forgiveness automatically applies to policy in most states
Drinking and driving is one of the most serious traffic violations you can be convicted of, and its repercussions can last for years after the incident. Most drivers consider themselves lucky if no one is hurt in a drinking and driving situation. But even in the best-case DUI scenarios, you can expect your car insurance to increase by a significant amount — 83 percent on average among major providers.
Fortunately, there are companies like Progressive that — compared to companies like Liberty Mutual ($5,475) or Allstate ($4,615) — offer more affordable rates and saving opportunities to drivers with a DUI. If you’ve been in a DUI recently and are looking for affordable coverage, you should consider Progressive as one of your top options.
Who It's Best For- Someone with a DUI on their record
- Drivers who want accident forgiveness
- People who want usage-based insurance
- Rideshare drivers
Who It's Not Best For- People who want coverage for custom parts
- Drivers with speeding tickets on their record
Affordable Rates After a DUI
Progressive’s average annual increase for drivers after one DUI is more affordable than most major providers. Here’s what Progressive’s numbers look like compared to competitors.
| Auto insurance company | Average price after a DUI | Average percentage increase |
|---|---|---|
| Major providers | $4,461 | 94% |
| Progressive | $2,816 | 37% |
Significant Savings
It’s important to find a provider that offers several saving opportunities to keep your costs down after a DUI. Progressive has a long list of discounts for several drivers, so regardless of your age, homeownership status, or payment preferences, Progressive will likely have a discount for you.
Here’s how you can save with Progressive after a DUI:
- You can earn 7 percent off your car insurance (on average) by bundling your home, condo, or renters insurance with auto.
- Save up to 12 percent on your policy when you insure multiple vehicles with Progressive.
- Progressive claims its drivers save about $322 on average when they complete its usage-based driving program, Snapshot.
- Opt to receive your documents via email, and you might qualify for Progressive’s paperless discount.
- If you add a teen driver to your plan, you may qualify for Progressive’s teen driver discount.
- You can save 5 percent or more on your premium by adding a good student (B average or higher GPA) discount to your policy.
- You can save on your car insurance simply by owning a home, even if your home isn’t insured with Progressive.
- And many more! Speak to your agent to find discounts available in your state.
Startling Statistics:
In 2023, alcohol-impaired drivers accounted for 12,429 deaths — about 30 percent of all traffic-related deaths — in the U.S.2
SR-22 and Non-Owner Insurance
Getting a DUI is among the top reasons why you might need an SR-22. Not only does Progressive accept and file an SR-22 on your behalf, but it also offers non-owner insurance in the event that you need to reinstate your driver’s license after a DUI or other serious violation.
3. Best for Drivers With a Speeding Ticket - State Farm
What We Like Most:
- Save money with safe driving habits
- Cheapest rates after a speeding ticket
- Many young driver discounts
State Farm is one of the cheapest providers on our list and the best provider if you have a speeding ticket on your record. Unlike Allstate ($3,673) or Farmers ($4,106), which are significantly more expensive for drivers with a speeding ticket, State Farm is about 24 percent cheaper than competitors for drivers with one speeding ticket.
While American Family is only available in 19 states, you can also look for coverage with Connect, American Family’s partnership with Costco that is more widely available.
Who It's Best For- People who have one or more speeding tickets
- Customers with young drivers on their policy
- Drivers with vehicle safety equipment
- People with no accidents on their record in the past five years
Who It's Not Best For- Someone who has one or more at-fault accidents
- Anyone looking for a new car replacement
Cheap Auto Insurance Coverage After a Speeding Ticket
State Farm is known for its cheap rates. The average annual rate for State Farm customers with a speeding ticket is $2,062, which is about $670 cheaper than the average annual premium of $2,730 for drivers with a speeding ticket.
See how State Farm’s average annual cost after a speeding ticket compares to other leading insurers:
| Company | Average for drivers with a speeding ticket |
|---|---|
| American Family | $2,243 |
| State Farm | $2,345 |
| GEICO | $2,358 |
| Progressive | $2,640 |
| Allstate | $3,428 |
| Farmers | $3,569 |
Young Driver Discounts
Car insurance companies charge higher premiums for young drivers since they are statistically more likely to exhibit risky driving behaviors, like speeding. In 2023, speeding was a factor in about 34 percent of all fatal accidents involving teen drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.3
If you have a young driver on your policy with a speeding violation, you can still lower rates with American Family’s auto insurance discounts. Drivers under 25 qualify for these discounts if they:
- Are a good student
- Are a student attending college more than 100 miles away, and have a car parked at home
- Have a parent who has an American Family policy
- Fulfill 40 hours of volunteer work every year for a non-profit
Practice Safe Driving and Save With State Farm
If you have a history of speeding tickets, it might be time to improve your habits on the road. State Farm encourages its drivers to drive safely with Drive Safe and Save, its usage-based insurance.
You enroll in the program through an agent, then download the DriveMyWay app. The app measures your driving behavior for 99 trips, then gives you a discount between 10 to 35 percent based on your score.
Additionally, you can save on car insurance with the following safety and mileage discount incentives:
- Be accident-free for five years
- Drive less than 8,000 miles per year
- Have factory-installed airbags in your vehicle
- Defensive driving course for drivers age 55 and up
4. Best with a History of Accidents - GEICO
What We Like Most:
- Keeps rates low after one accident
- Rental coverage available if your car is out of commission
- Easy online quotes
With GEICO, you get a trusted provider that offers quality coverage if you’re involved in an accident. With over 85 years of experience in the insurance business, GEICO is our top pick for drivers with a history of accidents. It also has customizable coverage options that may appeal to high-risk drivers, like non-owner insurance.
Who It's Best For- Drivers with an at-fault accident on their record
- Households on a budget
- People who want mechanical breakdown coverage
Who It's Not Best For- Customers who want to work with a local agent
- Homeowners (does not underwrite its own home policies)
Low Rates for At-Fault Accidents
Among competitors, GEICO offers some of the lowest premiums for drivers with an at-fault accident on their record. Its rates are about 10 percent below the national average with an accident, at $236 monthly for full coverage.
Multiple Discounts for High-Risk Drivers
High-risk drivers tend to pay higher premiums — after an at-fault accident, rates increase by an average of 46 percent. Fortunately, GEICO offers several ways to reduce your car insurance rate that don’t require a clean record. If you’re looking to reduce your premium after an at-fault accident, see if you’re eligible.
Here’s a list of discounts from GEICO you might qualify for with a bad driving history:
- Restraint Device (air bags, seat belts and/or passive restraint systems)
- Anti-Lock Brakes
- Anti-Theft System
- Daytime Running Lights
- New Vehicle
- DriveEasy (telematics program)
- Defensive Driving
- Driver Training Course
- Good Student
- Student Away at School
- Deployed Military Driver
- Federal Employee (Eagle)
- Membership & Employee Affiliation
- Military
- Multi-Vehicle
- Multi-Policy (bundling)
- Homeownership
- Early Shopper
- Internet Quote
- Paperless
- Paid In Full
- Auto Pay
5. Best for Military and Veterans - USAA
What We Like Most:
- Low rates for high-risk drivers
- Incentives for improving your driving habits
- Usage-based insurance available
If you are eligible, USAA is one of the best options to find affordable coverage if you have a bad driving record. The insurer consistently has the most affordable premiums across all driving profiles, whether you have a DUI on your record, a speeding ticket, several claims, or other moving violations. Plus, infrequent drivers can bring costs down with SafePilot Miles, USAA’s pay-per-mile auto insurance program.
FYI:
Not all companies offer pay-per-mile insurance. For example, Liberty Mutual and The General may offer low-mileage discounts, but they do not offer pay-per-mile programs.
Who It's Best For- Military members, veterans, and their families
- Low-mileage drivers
- Customers with clean and bad driving records alike
- Anyone looking for accident forgiveness
Who It's Not Best For- Individuals not affiliated with the U.S. military
Cheap Rates for Bad Records
While USAA is known for offering low rates overall, it also provides cheap rates for drivers with poor records. USAA’s premiums for a speeding ticket are 41 percent lower than its competitors’, and rates for DUIs are 33 percent lower than the national average.
| Provider | DUI (Average annual premium) | One At-Fault Accident (Average annual premium) | Speeding ticket (Average annual premium) |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $2,998 | $2,401 | $1,607 |
| GEICO | $4,308 | $2,831 | $2,161 |
| Allstate | $4,615 | $4,343 | $3,673 |
| American Family | $3,291 | $3,482 | $3,054 |
| Travelers | $3,643 | $3,521 | $2,204 |
USAA also has a long list of discounts that you can apply even if you have a history of traffic violations or accidents. Military members and families can combine these discounts with their affordable rates to save on car insurance.
Here are USAA car insurance discounts you can qualify for even with a bad record:
- Bundling discount for pairing auto insurance with another policy
- New car discount for vehicles less than three years old
- Student discount for high school or college attendees with a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Garaging discount if you park your car on a military base
- Storage discount if you need to store your vehicle long-term, for deployment or any reason
- Safety discount if you take a defensive driving or basic driver training course
- Telematics discount if you track your driving habits using the SafePilot app
- Vehicle safety discount if your car has anti-theft and safety features
- Legacy discount when you transition off your parents’ policy and onto your own
Pay-Per-Mile Discounts
USAA incentivizes pay-per-mile insurance because people who drive less are generally less likely to be involved in an accident or file a claim. If you have a bad driving record and don’t drive often, you should consider USAA’s pay-per-mile program, SafePilot Miles.
The average driver in America travels 13,476 miles per year.4 If you drive less — around 8,000 miles per year — you could save on your car insurance.
According to USAA, you can earn up to 20 percent off your policy for driving less. The SafePilot app tracks your mileage and driving behavior. USAA also awards an additional 20 percent off at renewal for practicing safe driving habits.5
Frequently Asked Questions for Bad Driving Record
Typically, insurance companies look at your driving record for the past five to 10 years for severe violations like DUIs, and three years for minor violations like speeding tickets. This limited time frame means a bad driving history will not increase your insurance premium permanently.
Rather, your rates will depend on the severity of the violation, your state’s standards for reviewing records, and how much time has passed since the incident. It’s smart to check your local laws to determine how your state categorizes driving incidents and to get a copy of your driving record so you know what to expect when you apply for auto coverage
No. All auto insurance companies will check your driving record. While some insurers will be more lenient, all insurers will consider your driving record when determining your premium.
You will know if you have a bad record by comparing your driving history, such as violations and accidents, with your state’s penalty system. Each state has a different system for determining the impact tickets and accidents have on your record. Most states operate on a point system, in which you lose driving privileges the more points you have. What you receive points for and the penalties for those points differ by state.
It is possible, but not likely, to lose your insurance after only one claim or speeding ticket. However, insurance companies reserve the right to cancel or refuse the renewal of your policy if you file too many claims, commit fraud, aren’t paying premiums, or get your license suspended.
If you can’t find coverage through standard providers, you can try car insurance companies that specialize in high-risk insurance, including Dairyland, Direct Auto, and Foremost. Drivers who still can’t find non-standard coverage should consider state-assigned car insurance.
Every state has programs that guarantee coverage for those having trouble securing car insurance. To get assigned coverage, contact your state’s insurance department.
Methodology
At AutoInsurance.com, we evaluate auto insurance providers based on four key factors:
- Pricing (40%): We review average full and minimum coverage rates for good drivers with good credit, as well as other driver profiles, like those with DUIs, accidents, or low credit. We also look at provided discounts. Full coverage premiums use the following limits:
- Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
- Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
- Claims Handling (25%): An excellent claims process from a provider is timely, clear, and efficient, with effective communication, fair damage assessment, and prompt payouts or solutions. We evaluate claims procedures through sources like J.D. Power’s Claims Satisfaction Report.
- Customer Journey (25%): We analyze the ease of the customer experience at all stages, from quote and purchase process to managing policies. We review the availability and quality of both online and agent interactions.
- Coverage Options (10%): We evaluate each insurer’s coverage offerings and prioritize companies with options beyond the state required minimums, including, gap coverage, rental reimbursement, rideshare coverage, and more.
Learn more about our ratings and methodology.
Staff Writer & Editor
Ali Saleh is a copywriter with nearly 10 years of experience in content writing, editing, and journalism. Ali’s work has been featured on a number of notable sites and publications, including MSN, Business.com’s award-winning newsletter, and Groove Korea, South Korea’s largest English-print magazine. Today, he writes for dozens of brands, providing expert guides and informative articles on auto insurance, healthcare, recruiting technology, business, and more. Ali holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from North Carolina State University.
Citations
Satisfaction with Auto Insurance Claims Strained by Higher Deductibles, More Total Losses, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2025, Oct 28).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-studyDrunk Driving. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2025).
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-drivingParents: Talk to Your Teen Driver About Safe Driving. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2025).
https://www.nhtsa.gov/teen-driving/parents-talk-your-teen-driver-about-safe-drivingAverage Annual Miles per Driver by Age Group. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. (2022, May 31).
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/onh00/bar8.htmDrive less and save more with USAA SafePilot Miles™. USAA. (2025).
https://www.usaa.com/insurance/vehicles/auto/safepilot-miles/
Related Articles
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Norfolk
December 3, 2025Best Cheap Car Insurance in Seattle
December 3, 2025Best Cheap Car Insurance in Virginia Beach
November 30, 2025