Car Insurance With a Bad Driving Record

Let’s be honest: shopping for car insurance with a bad driving record can feel a little like
trying to rent an apartment with a rock band, three Great Danes, and a flamethrower. Insurers
see risk, you see “one tiny speeding ticket that totally wasn’t my fault.” The good news?
You can still get coverageeven decent coverageif you know how to play the
game.

This guide walks you through how car insurance companies see high-risk drivers, what to do
if you need special filings like an SR-22, and practical ways to get your premium down to
something that doesn’t make your wallet cry. We’ll also look at how to rebuild your record
so future-you gets better rates.

Why a Bad Driving Record Makes Insurance So Expensive

Auto insurance pricing is basically advanced math mixed with mild distrust. Insurers use your
record to guess how likely you are to file a claim. More risk = more money.

What Counts as a “Bad” Driving Record?

Every insurer defines “high-risk” a bit differently, but common red flags include:

Multiple speeding tickets or moving violations
At-fault accidents, especially recent or expensive ones
DUI/DWI or reckless driving convictions
Driving without insurance or with a suspended license
Major violations like hit-and-run or racing

Research shows that serious violations can push premiums up by more than 60%, and in some
scenarios, rates may more than double compared with a clean record.
Even a single speeding ticket can raise your rate by around 20% on average nationwide, with
some states seeing nearly 50% jumps.

Why Insurers Care So Much

From the insurer’s perspective, your driving record is one of the best predictors of future
claims. If you’ve had multiple recent incidents, you’re statistically more likely to have
another. Claims have also become more expensive thanks to pricier cars, advanced technology,
and higher repair and medical costs, which all push premiums higher for everyoneespecially
drivers with blemishes on their record.

Step 1: Know Exactly What’s on Your Driving Record

Before you start shopping for car insurance, find out what you’re working with. You can’t
negotiate if you don’t know what the problem is.

How to Check Your Record

Request your motor vehicle record (MVR) from your state’s Department of
Motor Vehicles (often for a small fee).
Review for errors. Tickets that should have dropped off, violations that
are listed twice, or accidents incorrectly marked “at-fault” can all affect your rates.
Ask your current insurer how they’re rating your policysometimes they
interpret incidents differently than the DMV.

Many insurers look back three to five years for violations and at-fault accidents, with
the most recent incidents having the biggest impact. If your worst ticket is about to age
off in the next few months, that’s helpful to know before you lock into a 12-month policy.

Step 2: Understand Your State’s Insurance Rules

Nearly all U.S. states require drivers to carry some level of auto liability insurance.
The exact minimum requirements vary by state and are usually represented with three numbers,
like 25/50/25, which means:

$25,000 bodily injury liability per person
$50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
$25,000 property damage liability per accident

Some states also require personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured/underinsured motorist
coverage. Knowing your state’s minimums helps you compare
quotes and understand what you absolutely must carry to stay legal.

What Is an SR-22 (and Do You Need One)?

An SR-22 is not a special type of insuranceit’s a certificate your insurer files with your
state to prove you carry at least the minimum required coverage.
It’s usually required after serious violations such as:

DUI or DWI
Driving without insurance
Major at-fault accidents
License suspension or revocation

If the court or DMV tells you that you need an SR-22, you must choose a company willing to
file it. Not every insurer does, but many standard and non-standard carriers will handle
the filing for a fee.

Step 3: Shop Like a Pro (Even with a Messy Record)

When you have a bad driving record, you can’t just renew blindly and hope for the best. You
need a strategy.

1. Cast a Wide Net

Get multiple quotes. Each insurer weighs tickets, claims, and violations
differently. One company may slam you for that fender bender; another may shrug.
Use independent agents or brokers. They can check several companies at once,
including smaller regional carriers that sometimes treat high-risk drivers more fairly.
Try companies that market to high-risk drivers. Some insurers specialize in
non-standard or high-risk policies, offering coverage when others say no.

2. Be Completely Honest

It’s tempting to “forget” a ticket, but insurers will pull your record. If the information
on your application doesn’t match, they can cancel your policy or hike your rate later.
Honesty now beats surprise bills later.

3. Time Your Shopping

Some carriers suggest shopping 21–30 days before your current policy renews so underwriters
have time to review your profile and you’re not making last-minute decisions under pressure.

Step 4: Tweak Your Coverage to Make It Affordable

If your record is rough, you may not be able to get rock-bottom pricesbut you can usually
avoid the “I now live inside my car to pay for insurance” tier.

Consider These Adjustments

Raise your deductibles. A higher deductible on comprehensive and collision
coverage lowers your premium, but make sure you can actually afford to pay it if you have
a claim.
Reevaluate full coverage on older cars. If your vehicle’s value is low,
dropping collision or comprehensive might make sense (as long as your lender doesn’t require it).
Avoid unnecessary add-ons. Extras like roadside assistance or rental
reimbursement are nice, but if every dollar counts, focus on liability and any coverage
your state or lender requires.
Pay in full if you can. Many insurers charge extra for monthly installments.
Paying the six-month premium upfront can save you some cash.

Just don’t go below your state’s minimum coverage or drop protections that would create a
financial disaster if you had another accident. Cheap is good; dangerously underinsured
is not.

Step 5: Use Discounts and Programs That Still Work with a Bad Record

A bad driving record doesn’t mean every discount is off the table. You just have to be a
bit more deliberate.

Telematics (Usage-Based Insurance)

Telematics programs use an app or plug-in device to track how you drivethings like speed,
hard braking, time of day, and mileage. Safe habits can earn real discounts, sometimes
paired with measurable reductions in risky driving behaviors and crash rates.

For high-risk drivers, a telematics program can be a kind of “probation with benefits”:
drive well, and your premium may go down at the next renewal instead of up.

Defensive Driving Courses

Many insurers offer discounts if you complete an approved defensive driving or driver
improvement course. Some states even allow certain tickets to be dismissed or reduced if
you take a class. Check with both your insurer and your
DMV before enrolling.

Other Discounts to Ask About

Multi-car or multi-policy (auto + home or renters)
Low-mileage or usage-based discounts
Good payer or autopay discounts
Vehicle safety features (automatic braking, lane assist, etc.)

None of these erase a DUI or three at-fault accidents, but together they can soften the
financial blow.

Step 6: When You Really Can’t Find Coverage

In rare cases, standard and high-risk insurers might still decline you, especially if
your violations are very recent or severe. If that happens, don’t panicyou may still have
options.

Assigned Risk (State High-Risk Pools)

Many states participate in “assigned risk” or high-risk pools where insurers are required
to take on drivers who can’t get coverage elsewhere. These plans:

Are usually more expensive
May offer fewer coverage options
Are designed as a temporary safety net, not a forever home

If you end up here, your goal should be to keep your record clean and move back to the
standard market as soon as you’re eligible.

How to Clean Up Your Record and Lower Future Rates

While you’re paying more now, you don’t have to stay in “high-risk driver” status forever.
Insurers pay close attention to trends over time.

Drive Like Your Insurance Bill Is Watching (Because It Is)

Stick to the speed limit and avoid aggressive driving.
Don’t drive under the influenceever.
Put your phone away; distracted driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving.

Some insurers explicitly mention that going three years without a ticket or accident can
result in lower premiums or the removal of surcharges.

Re-Shop Regularly

Insurance pricing is always changing, and loyalty doesn’t always pay. Studies show many
drivers who shop and switch carriers save hundreds of dollars per year, especially in a
market where insurance rates have risen significantly since 2020.
Make a habit of checking quotes every 1–2 years or whenever:

A major violation ages off your record
Your credit improves
You move, change cars, or modify your daily commute

Common Mistakes People with Bad Driving Records Make

Letting coverage lapse. A gap in insurance is another red flag that can
drive your rate even higher, and in many states it can also trigger penalties or license
issues.
Buying state-minimum liability when they own assets. If you own a home or
have savings, the “bare minimum” may not protect you from lawsuits after a serious crash.
Ignoring discounts because they assume they don’t apply. High-risk drivers
can still use many of the same discounts as everyone else, especially for bundling,
telematics, and vehicle safety features.
Not asking about forgiveness programs. Some insurers offer accident or
ticket forgiveness after a clean period, which can limit the damage from a single mistake.

Real-World Experiences: What It’s Like to Get Insurance with a Bad Driving Record

Every high-risk driver has a story. The details change, but the emotions are similar:
frustration, anxiety, and the faint hope that maybe the next quote won’t be quite so painful.
Here are a few composite examples that capture how the process often goesand what actually
works in practice.

Jake: From “Absolutely Not” to “Okay, That’s Manageable”

Jake is 27 and had what he calls “a rough year”: one at-fault accident, two speeding tickets,
and a lapse in coverage when he forgot to pay his bill. His renewal notice arrived with a
premium that was more than his car payment. His first instinct was to cancel everything and
hope for the bestuntil his friend pointed out that driving uninsured is how people end up
with suspended licenses and even higher rates.

Instead, Jake:

Ordered his MVR and confirmed all the violations listed were accurate.
Got quotes from eight different companies, including a couple that specialize in
high-risk drivers.
Agreed to a telematics program that monitored his driving and rewarded safe habits.
Raised his collision deductible and dropped a couple of non-essential add-ons.

The final premium was still higher than he’d like, but it was several hundred dollars less
than his renewal quote. After six months of clean driving with the telematics program, he
qualified for an additional discount, and his rate went down again.

Monica: SR-22 and a Slow Climb Back

Monica, 35, got a DUI and was told she needed an SR-22 to get her license reinstated. Her
old insurer dropped her. She assumed her driving life was over for good, but her state DMV
listed companies that file SR-22 forms. She called a high-risk carrier, explained her
situation, and they filed the SR-22 with the state.

Monica’s premium was high at first; there’s no sugarcoating that. But she made a plan:

She drove only when necessary and avoided night driving where possible.
She took a state-approved alcohol education and defensive driving course.
She paid her premiums on time to avoid any lapses.
Each year, she checked to see how much longer the SR-22 requirement would last.

After several years of clean driving, the SR-22 requirement expired. With the DUI older and
her record otherwise clear, she started getting better quotes from standard carriers again.
The journey was slow, but her rates came down as her risk profile improved.

Luis: The Power of Shopping Around

Luis didn’t think his record was that bad: one accident and a couple of minor tickets over
the past few years. But his insurer treated him like a disaster waiting to happen and kept
raising his premiums at every renewal. He assumed this was just life nowuntil a coworker
told him she saved hundreds by switching.

Luis spent one evening filling out online quote forms and talking to an independent agent.
He discovered:

Some companies rated his old accident less harshly than others.
One carrier offered a significant discount if he bundled his auto and renters policies.
Another company gave him a low-mileage discount because he had started working remotely.

The winner wasn’t the company with the catchiest adsit was a regional insurer he’d never
heard of before. His rate dropped by a few hundred dollars a year, and with a clean record
going forward, he expects future renewals to get even better.

Your Story: A Bad Record Isn’t the End

If you’ve made mistakes on the road, you’re not alone. The key is to treat your current
premium as a temporary consequence, not a permanent sentence. Learn what’s on your record,
understand your state’s rules, shop smart, use every discount you can, and then drive like
your future insurance bill depends on itbecause it does.

Over time, tickets fall off, surcharges shrink, and insurers start to see you as a safer
bet again. Your job is simply to get from here to there with as few new incidents as
possible.

Conclusion: Yes, You Can Get Car Insurance with a Bad Driving Record

Getting car insurance with a bad driving record is absolutely possibleit’s just not as
simple as clicking “renew” and hoping for the best. When you understand how insurers view
risk, know your state’s rules, shop widely (especially with high-risk and non-standard
carriers), and take advantage of tools like telematics and defensive driving courses, you
can usually find coverage that keeps you legal without completely wrecking your budget.

The most important thing you can do now is commit to safer driving going forward. Your
record today explains your higher ratesbut your choices tomorrow are what eventually bring
those premiums back down.