High-Risk Car Insurance in California

GEICO offers the most competitive full coverage rates across all violation types for high-risk drivers in California.

For nationwide high-risk insurance options, see our guide to affordable high-risk car insurance in the U.S.

GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance for California drivers with a DUI at $212 per month for full coverage, while other insurers charge up to $311. A DUI ranks among the most serious violations on your record and remains for 10 years, though most insurers consider it for rate calculations for three to five years.

See our guide to car insurance after a DUI for tips on reducing your rates.

GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance for California drivers with a speeding ticket at $133 per month for full coverage, while other insurers charge up to $192. Your rate increase depends on how much you exceeded the speed limit and whether it's your first offense. Most speeding violations remain on your driving record for three years.

GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance for California drivers with an at-fault accident at $152 per month for full coverage, while other insurers charge up to $203. Insurers view at-fault accidents as a sign you'll file future claims more often, with larger increases if the accident involved injuries or major property damage. Most at-fault accidents remain on your California driving record for three years.

GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance for California drivers with a distracted driving violation at $153 per month for full coverage, while other insurers charge up to $192. California law prohibits handheld cellphone use while driving, and violations can lead to fines and increased insurance rates. While less severe than DUI or reckless driving, a distracted driving citation still affects your premiums.

California drivers with violations pay much more for car insurance than those with clean records. A DUI increases full coverage rates by 139% ($202 more per month), while at-fault accidents add 59% ($85 per month) to your premium. The table compares average monthly costs for common violation types, showing how each affects your rates compared to a clean driving record. Use the filter to toggle between full coverage and state minimum liability rates.

For clean-record rates, see the average cost of car insurance in California.

Compare rates from multiple insurers to find affordable car insurance with violations on your record. Learn what makes you high risk, how to find affordable providers, and what to do if insurers deny you.

For more tips on lowering your premiums with violations on your record, see our guide to cheap car insurance after a bad driving record.

Auto insurers classify you as high risk if you have:

• Traffic violations or at-fault accidents
• DUI convictions
• Suspended or revoked licenses
• No driving experience
• A sports car or racing history
• Bad credit or coverage lapses

Senior drivers over age 60 may also pay higher rates.

These tips help you save money and choose the best high-risk car insurance provider in California.

Companies can deny you coverage if they decide you're too risky. If you've been rejected by at least two insurers, you can get required coverage through the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP). Income-eligible drivers with clean records may qualify for California's Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program instead.

*CAARP can be reached through AIPSO (Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office), which administers the program.

California offers two programs for drivers who can't get affordable insurance in the standard market: the California Low Cost Automobile (CLCA) Insurance Program and the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP). The CLCA program provides liability insurance to income-eligible good drivers at affordable rates, while CAARP acts as a safety net for high-risk drivers rejected by multiple insurers.

You qualify for the CLCA program if you meet these requirements:

• Your household income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.
• You have a good driving record (no at-fault accidents, DUIs or major violations).
• You have a valid California driver's license.
• Your vehicle's value is under $25,000.

Annual CLCA premiums range from $244 to $966 per year, offering substantial savings compared to standard market rates for eligible drivers.

Drivers with DUIs, suspended licenses or multiple serious violations need SR-22 insurance, a certificate of financial responsibility filed with the state.

CAARP is California's assigned risk plan for high-risk drivers who can't get coverage through the standard market or who don't qualify for the CLCA program. If you've been rejected by multiple insurers due to violations like DUIs, multiple at-fault accidents or suspended licenses, CAARP lets you get the legally required minimum liability coverage.

CAARP assigns high-risk drivers to participating insurance companies based on their market share in California. CAARP was created in 1947 and is administered by the California Department of Insurance.

California has two programs for drivers unable to get standard coverage. The CLCA program serves income-eligible good drivers, while CAARP handles high-risk drivers who have been rejected by the voluntary market. CAARP is an assigned risk pool where insurance companies licensed in California must accept a proportional share of high-risk drivers based on their market share in the state.

Once assigned through CAARP, you'll be matched with an insurer for a policy period at guaranteed rates. This helps all California drivers get the state-required minimum liability coverage regardless of their driving history.

CLCA program rates range from $244 to $966 per year for income-eligible good drivers, among the most affordable options in California. CAARP rates for high-risk drivers are 50% to 100%  higher than comparable voluntary market policies. For example, if a clean-record driver pays $68 per month for state minimum coverage, a CAARP-assigned driver pays $100 to $135 per month for identical coverage.

The California Department of Insurance monitors both programs. CLCA has been operating since 1999, helping thousands of low-income California drivers keep required coverage at affordable rates. CAARP, which has been providing assigned risk coverage since 1947, helps even the highest-risk drivers get insurance to drive legally in California.

For CLCA (Low-Cost Automobile Insurance):

1. Verify your household income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.
2. Confirm you have a good driving record with no major violations.
3. Make sure your vehicle's value is under $25,000.
4. Visit the California Department of Insurance website.
5. Contact participating CLCA insurers or call the California Department of Insurance consumer hotline.

For CAARP (Assigned Risk Plan):

1. Apply for insurance with at least two standard California insurers.
2. Get written proof of rejection from both companies (must be within the past 60 days).
3. Contact the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office (AIPSO) at (800) 622-0954.
4. Submit your application through a licensed insurance agent familiar with CAARP.
5. Once assigned, you'll receive coverage from a designated insurer.

Both programs help California drivers meet the state's insurance requirements, whether through low-cost coverage for good drivers or assigned risk coverage for high-risk drivers.

We analyzed rates from major insurers and found that GEICO offers the most affordable high-risk car insurance in California across all violation types. Rates vary depending on your violation and coverage needs, with full coverage starting at $133 per month for speeding tickets up to $212 per month for DUIs.  

Clean-record drivers meeting income requirements can access CLCA rates from $244 to $966 per year. For drivers rejected by multiple insurers, the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP) helps you get state-mandated coverage.  

After improving your driving record, continue shopping for better rates and explore our guide to the cheapest car insurance in California to find competitive options for your profile.

MoneyGeek calculated average rates using full coverage car insurance policies with 100/300/100 liability insurance and comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. We calculated state minimum coverage rates based on California's required 15/30/5 liability coverage.

All violation-specific profiles use this driver profile:

• 35-year-old driver
• Male
• 12,000 annual mileage
• Good credit
• Specific violation (DUI, speeding ticket, at-fault accident, or distracted driving)

We analyzed rates from major insurance companies for each violation type to find the most affordable providers for high-risk drivers in California. Coverage level filters let users compare full coverage and state minimum options for their situation.