Best Car Insurance for Drivers With Bad Driving Record

State Farm tops MoneyGeek's rankings, providing the most cost-effective full coverage policies for drivers with bad records at $84 monthly following a ticket, $91 post-accident and $103 following a DUI.

Driving violations, including speeding and at-fault accidents, can increase your insurance premiums. Fortunately, many of these violations are temporary and, depending on state regulations, might be cleared from your record. A DUI, however, is more severe and can sometimes remain for life. As these infractions age, their influence on rates decreases.

To offset higher costs, drivers should periodically shop around for insurance, consider defensive driving courses and explore usage-based insurance options.

State Farm is the best choice for drivers with records, offering the most affordable rates and earning the highest MoneyGeek score in our analysis.

A driver with a bad driving record has a combination of citations, at-fault accidents and DUIs. This blend of infractions often leads to increased car insurance premiums due to the elevated risk perceived by insurance companies.

State Farm emerged as the top car insurance provider in 18 states, making it a leading choice for many drivers. Following closely behind is Erie, which stands out as the best car insurance provider in nine states in our analysis.

By researching and comparing rates, drivers can discover top insurers that offer competitive premiums for those with infractions. Whether it's a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident or a DUI, there's an ideal insurer in every state from which you can get coverage without breaking the bank.

State Farm and Travelers offer the best insurance for most drivers with a speeding ticket:

• State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($84 monthly)
• Travelers: MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100 ($118 monthly)

USAA scored the best overall and offers the most affordable rates for all violations but is only open to military members, veterans and their family members.

State Farm and Travelers offer the best insurance for drivers that caused an accident:

• State Farm MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($91 monthly)
• Travelers MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100 ($126 monthly)

Drivers who caused an accident typically pay higher insurance premiums than those with tickets. Instances of injuries or fatal accidents further increase the cost of premiums.

State Farm and Travelers offer the best insurance for drivers with a DUI:

• State Farm MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($103 monthly)
• TravelersMoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($144 monthly)

The more serious the offense, the longer and higher the impact on your car insurance rates.

• Speeding: Causes a 34% rise in insurance rates on average and usually remains on your record for 3–5 years
• At-fault Accidents: Result in a 44% rate increase on average and may linger on your record for 3–5 years
• DUI: Triggers an 86% premium surge on average and generally stays on your record for up to 10 years or indefinitely, based on state regulations.

Accidents involving a DUI often lead to more injuries and damage, which means insurance companies have to pay out more bodily injury liability and property damage liability. As a result, many companies view drivers with a DUI as a significant risk and might be hesitant to insure them.

Even if you're already insured, your current provider could decide not to renew your policy, especially if you've had problems in the past. This can leave you searching for a new insurer and possibly facing even higher costs.

Shopping around for a new provider can be a game-changer in managing insurance costs. Completing a defensive driving course not only nets you discounts and showcases your dedication to road safety but can even clear certain infractions from your record. As time progresses, remember you have the leverage to revisit and negotiate better premiums with your insurer.

If you received a speeding ticket or were at fault in an accident, many insurers will still offer you coverage, albeit at higher rates. But with a DUI conviction, securing coverage becomes notably more challenging as insurers view this as a significant risk, and you might find your options mainly confined to nonstandard insurers.

Nonstandard auto insurance is tailored to drivers labeled "high risk" by traditional insurers, including those with a history of serious infractions such as numerous traffic violations, accidents or DUI convictions.

Nonstandard insurance is pricier and may have more limits than standard policies, but it's a lifeline for drivers struggling to get other coverage.

Over time, as infractions age and eventually drop off your record, you can transition back to standard insurance providers and enjoy more competitive rates.

MoneyGeek’s FAQ section sheds light on the best insurance companies equipped to support drivers with past infractions, offering a path to both protection and redemption. Dive in to discover which providers are your best allies on the road ahead.