The best car insurance for high-risk drivers

Written by: Lance Cothern, CPA
• Updated •5 min read
This date indicates our editors’ last comprehensive review and may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.
Man lying on his couch, reading on his phone about the best auto insurance for high-risk driversImage: Man lying on his couch, reading on his phone about the best auto insurance for high-risk drivers

In a Nutshell

If insurers consider you a high-risk driver, it might help to know which companies we’ve named best for high-risk auto insurance.
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Almost every state requires you to carry car insurance if you want to drive a vehicle — but getting insurance isn’t always a simple process.

Each person has a unique combination of factors influencing their car insurance rates. On top of that, each insurer can evaluate each customer’s risk differently.

So finding the most affordable car insurance policy isn’t as straightforward as getting a single quote — especially if your driving history isn’t great. Drivers with accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs or other negatives on their driving records can face higher rates.

If you fall into this category, you’ll likely need to do more digging to find the most affordable car insurance option. To help you zero-in on some options, here’s a look at our picks for best high-risk car insurance companies.

Best overall: Geico

Why Geico stands out above the rest: Geico is generally a highly accessible insurer, with availability in all 50 states and the District of Columbia (though some discounts, coverages or other features may not be offered everywhere).

What to know about Geico auto insurance

Geico offers basic coverage options like liability, collision, comprehensive and uninsured/underinsured motorist, as well as optional add-ons such as emergency road service, rental reimbursement and mechanical breakdown coverage.

Those needing an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility can indicate so during the quote process. Though there’s a fee (and a possible surcharge depending on which state you’re in), you’ll only have to pay it once, and Geico will file the certificate on your behalf.

Younger drivers can also have higher risk profiles, but can save with Geico’s good student, driver’s education and defensive driver discounts.

Read our full review of Geico to learn more.

Best for people with a military affiliation: USAA

Why USAA could be a good choice for high-risk drivers with a military affiliation: USAA’s customer service makes it a standout. While it didn’t meet criteria to officially rank in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, USAA received high scores in most regions against the official rankings. The company offers various car insurance discounts that could lower your auto insurance costs. Just note that only people with a qualifying connection to the military are eligible for USAA membership and its products.

What to know about USAA auto insurance

USAA is available to military members and their families nationwide. The company offers liability, comprehensive, collision and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages. Other optional coverages include roadside assistance (which pays for things like towing, tire changes and fuel delivery after a breakdown) and rental car reimbursement (which covers rental car expenses if you’re involved in an accident).

If mandated by your state, you can get a statement of financial responsibility (SR-22) on USAA’s website or by calling and talking to a representative. USAA’s usage-based insurance program, SafePilot, may lower premiums for people who establish good driving habits. The company also has a variety of discounts that may help offset costs for high-risk drivers.

Read our full review of USAA to learn more.

Best for discounts: State Farm

Why State Farm could be a good choice for finding discounts: State Farm knows offers tips and info on its website about getting coverage and minimizing premiums with various discounts. The company’s customer satisfaction track record is solid, too — it’s above average in most areas covered by J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.

What to know about State Farm auto insurance

State Farm is available nationwide and offers full coverage auto insurance (liability, comprehensive and collision), as well as optional coverages like rideshare, emergency road service, medical payments and car rental and travel expenses.

If you’re a high-risk driver, State Farm offers a few ways to get a break on your premium, including taking an approved defensive driving course or staying accident-free for at least three years. The company’s Steer Clear certification program offers another way to save for qualifying young drivers under age 25 with potentially high-risk profiles. To get a Steer Clear certificate, the program requires you to complete five training modules and five hours of driving practice along with having no at-fault accidents or moving violations for the past three years.

State Farm’s usage-based insurance program, Drive Safe & Save, also gives people in eligible states a chance to lower their rates. State Farm provides vehicle safety, passive restraint, anti-theft and bundling discounts, too.

Read our full review of State Farm.

Best for getting a quote: The General

Why The General could be a good choice for drivers who can’t find quotes elsewhere: If you have trouble getting quotes from other insurers, The General may be an option for you. This company specifically says it offers insurance to customers with driving violations, accidents and less-than-perfect credit, and to those who’ve had a lapse in insurance. Note that The General isn’t included in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.

What to know about The General auto insurance

The General offers limited coverage options but markets specifically to high-risk drivers. Liability, comprehensive and collision coverages are available, as are medical payment coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist. The General is available in most states.

For people needing SR-22 or FR-44 filings, The General will help take care of any state-mandated proof of insurance forms. Some potential discounts are based on things like academic achievement, completing a defensive driving course and having a clean driving record for a significant period of time.

Read our full review of The General.

How we picked these insurers

We used information from each insurer’s website to select the best auto insurers for high-risk auto insurance. We also considered data from J.D. Power’s overall auto insurance customer satisfaction rankings in their 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study and the availability of each insurer’s offerings across the country. In total, we considered seven insurers before narrowing down our list to the top four listed above.

FAQs about high-risk auto insurance

Do insurers have to give high-risk individuals an insurance quote?

No, insurance companies are not required to insure any particular driver.

What happens if I can’t find an insurance quote?

If you can’t find insurance, contact your state’s insurance department and ask about a state-assigned risk pool. These pools help individuals get insurance, though it may be expensive.

About the author: Lance Cothern is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance. His work has appeared on Business Insider, USA Today.com and his website, MoneyManifesto.com. Lance holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in … Read more.