Bad Driving Record? Best Cheap Car Insurance After an Accident or Ticket

While one ticket over many years usually won’t trigger a huge rate increase, a bad driving record will cause your insurance rates to go up and probably stay up until all tickets and accidents come off your driving record. Insurance companies do this to mitigate the risks associated with drivers who make mistakes on the road. Read MoneyGeek's study to learn what the best and cheapest options may be for you if you have driving violations in your history.

While it’s legally required to have car insurance in most states, regardless of your driving record, that doesn’t mean you have to accept a rate increase without question. You can and should compare quotes for multiple providers to to find the best car insurance for your needs, or use MoneyGeek's car insurance estimator to get a sense for how much a policy will cost for you before you enter your personal information in a quote tool.

On average, USAA and State Farm have the cheapest premiums for drivers who have an accident on their record. USAA isn’t available to everyone; however, if you are a military member, a veteran or a qualified family member, you are eligible for coverage under their plan.

If you aren’t eligible for USAA, you can still compare quotes at other top insurance providers. Every insurance company uses a unique rating system to determine your quote, so rates can vary between providers. Shopping around before renewing your policy through the same company is an excellent way to find cheap car insurance after an accident.

USAA and Geico have the lowest rates, on average, for drivers with a ticket. USAA is available for military members and their families, so not all drivers are eligible. Insurance companies use several factors to determine their rates, so finding the best car insurance with a bad driving record will depend on criteria such as age, gender, the type of car you drive and your previous driving history. If you’ve had a good driving record up until the time you get a ticket, you may still be able to find cheap car insurance.

Getting a DUI can result in a steep increase in your car insurance premium. Some companies charge thousands of dollars more to insure a driver with a DUI compared to a driver with a clean driving record. While you're likely to see your rates rise, shopping around for car insurance after a DUI can help you save as you work to improve your driving record.

Military members, veterans and their families may have access to special military discounts with select insurance companies. Even for bad drivers, USAA typically provides the lowest rates for those associated with the armed forces. In MoneyGeek's study, drivers with a ticket on their record paid an average of $1,015 for comprehensive and collision coverage with USAA. The average rate with USAA for a driver with an accident was $1,337, nearly $250 cheaper than the lowest rates offered by other companies.

Car insurance premiums often go up after at-fault accidents because insurance companies see drivers with poor driving records as riskier to insure. Providers increase rates to protect themselves if they have to cover you if you are in another accident. According to MoneyGeek’s in-depth analysis of car insurance rates, policy costs increase by 56.8% after an accident, which amounts to an average of $783.

If you receive a driving citation, there’s a good chance that your car insurance rates will increase. Insurance companies view drivers who are cited for driving violations similar to how they view drivers who are at fault for an accident. Getting tickets also leads these companies to surmise that you could be riskier to insure. MoneyGeek analyzed rates for the average driver who received a ticket and found an average premium increase of $388, or 28.1%.

Switching car insurance after getting a ticket or causing an accident isn’t hard, but it does require some legwork.

• Learn how car insurance works, including how rates are determined and what different coverage is available.
• Shop around and compare car insurance rates online.
• Get the lowest rate.
• Purchase your policy with the new provider at your lower rate.
• Cancel or don’t renew your old policy, but be sure that you have your new policy before you do this. If you cancel, you may be due a refund.
• Be sure to get proof of insurance to keep with your records and in your vehicle as required by law.

If you're considered a high-risk driver based on your record, it may be worthwhile to shop around for car insurance to find the best rates. If you’re having difficulty getting car insurance after a policy cancellation, contact your previous provider and clear up possible misunderstandings. Discuss whether it’s possible to have your policy reinstated. If insurance companies refuse to cover you, you may be able to purchase a residual market plan.

If you have a really bad driving record, either due to multiple accidents or from a higher-risk citation like a DUI, you will face higher insurance rates and may have to shop around to find a company that will insure you.

Depending on the severity of the violation or the number of violations you receive, you may be required to get an SR-22. An SR-22 (also known as a “Certificate of Financial Responsibility”) is a document on file with your state that proves you have insurance that meets the minimum legal requirement.

If you are facing a rate increase due to a bad driving record, there are a few ways you can get your premium back in your budget:

• Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance providers will offer a discount after the completion of a defensive driving course. Taking a defensive driving course shows that you are committed to driving more safely and helps ensure others that you have the necessary skills to be behind the wheel. Speak with your insurance provider to find an approved course near you.
• Trade your car in for a safer model. The type of car you drive can impact your insurance rate, and a bad driving record won’t help. If you are facing an increase in your policy, consider trading your car in for a vehicle with better safety features to see a decrease in your policy.
• Keep track of your driving record. Most insurance providers will reevaluate your rate after a few years without a traffic violation. Keeping a clean driving record for three years can help decrease your rate.
• Have your driving monitored. Some companies provide discounts for customers who allow their driving to be monitored. Using a monitoring device, your insurance provider can track your driving behavior to set rates based on your safe driving habits.

Premiums listed are based on an average driver profile with 100/300/100 comprehensive and collision coverage. Learn more about MoneyGeek's methdology.