Disclosure: The author is not a licensed insurance agent. This guide is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Prices below are averages or samples from the sources named; your own quote will differ.
- $258/moAverage full coverage with a speeding ticketSource: ValuePenguin, July 2026
- $310/moAverage with an at-fault accidentSource: ValuePenguin, July 2026
- $391/moAverage with a DUISource: ValuePenguin, July 2026
- $412/moAverage with poor creditSource: ValuePenguin, July 2026
- $177/moTravelers after a ticket (cheapest large insurer)Source: NerdWallet, Oct. 2026
“High-risk” is not a type of policy. It is a label an insurer puts on you when its data says you are more likely than average to file a claim, and it usually means paying more for the same coverage. ValuePenguin’s July 2026 analysis found high-risk drivers paying $258 to $412 a month for full coverage on average, or 24% to 98% more than drivers with clean records and good credit (ValuePenguin).
The good news: the label is temporary, the cheapest insurer for a high-risk driver is often a big-name company, and every state has a safety net if nobody will sell you a policy. Below we cover what makes you high risk, the cheapest companies by situation, how state assigned-risk plans work, and a step-by-step plan to get back to standard rates.
Key takeaways
- Common triggers: multiple tickets, at-fault accidents, a DUI/DWI, a lapse in coverage, poor credit (where allowed) and being a new or teen driver (ValuePenguin).
- Average cost: $258 a month with a speeding ticket, $310 with an at-fault accident, $391 with a DUI and $412 with poor credit, full coverage (ValuePenguin, July 2026).
- Cheapest large insurer in most high-risk categories: Travelers in NerdWallet’s October 2026 analysis: $177 a month after a ticket, $190 after an accident, $232 after a DUI and $232 with poor credit (NerdWallet).
- Last resort: every state has a “residual market” plan. In 2024 these plans wrote $3.06 billion in premium, just 0.7% of the U.S. auto market (AIPSO).
- How long it lasts: usually three to five years, and a new violation can reset the clock (ValuePenguin).
What makes you a high-risk driver?
Insurers set prices on predicted claims. If your profile suggests you’ll file more claims than average, you’ll be labeled high-risk and charged more to balance that risk. ValuePenguin lists the usual reasons:
- Multiple tickets. One speeding ticket alone can raise rates by roughly a fifth to a quarter; see our speeding ticket insurance guide.
- Multiple accidents or one major at-fault accident. Our breakdown of how much insurance goes up after an accident shows the increase by insurer.
- A DUI, DWI or OWI conviction, which often comes with an SR-22 or FR-44 filing requirement.
- A lapse in coverage, even a short one.
- Poor credit, in states that allow credit-based insurance scores. NerdWallet notes that California, Hawaii and Massachusetts don’t allow insurers to use credit when setting car insurance rates.
- Being a teen or newly licensed driver, simply because there’s no track record yet. Our cheapest car insurance for young drivers guide covers that group.
How much does high-risk car insurance cost?
ValuePenguin priced full coverage (50/100/50 liability, matching uninsured motorist limits, $500 deductibles) for a 30-year-old man with a 2018 Honda Civic EX, using Quadrant Information Services data from public rate filings:
| Driver profile | Average monthly rate, full coverage |
|---|---|
| One speeding ticket | $258 |
| One at-fault accident | $310 |
| One DUI | $391 |
| Poor credit (clean record) | $412 |
Source: ValuePenguin, updated July 27, 2026. Averages are for comparison only; your rates will vary.
Notice that poor credit costs more than a DUI in this sample. NerdWallet’s separate October 2026 analysis reaches a similar conclusion: drivers with poor credit pay an average of 67% more for full coverage than those with good credit (NerdWallet). To see where your state’s baseline sits before any surcharge, check our car insurance cost by state report.
Cheapest car insurance companies for high-risk drivers
The cheapest company depends on why you’re high risk. Two independent rate studies, using different driver profiles, both show that standard national insurers often beat specialty companies.
NerdWallet’s cheapest large insurers (October 2026)
| Situation | Cheapest | 2nd | 3rd | Also shown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding ticket | Travelers $177 | State Farm $189 | GEICO $229 | Progressive $251; USAA* $160 |
| At-fault accident | Travelers $190 | State Farm $214 | Progressive $285 | GEICO $293; USAA* $188 |
| DUI | Travelers $232 | Progressive $260 | State Farm $262 | American Family $308; USAA* $255 |
| Poor credit | Travelers $232 | GEICO $243 | Progressive $319 | Nationwide $333; USAA* $239 |
Median monthly rates for full coverage. Source: NerdWallet, updated October 2, 2026. *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees. For comparison, a 35-year-old with a clean record who picks the cheapest company pays $138 a month in the same analysis.
ValuePenguin’s best picks by situation (July 2026)
- Tickets: Auto-Owners, $182 a month with a speeding ticket, 29% below the $258 average. Available in 26 states and sold only through agents.
- Accidents: State Farm, $218 a month with an at-fault accident, about 30% below the $310 average. Sold in almost every state except Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
- DUI: Progressive, $268 a month with one DUI; ValuePenguin notes it will usually file your SR-22 form, though it rates Progressive’s customer service below average.
- Poor credit: American Family, $263 a month, available in 19 states; GEICO, at $305, is the fallback elsewhere.
Source: ValuePenguin. The two studies use different drivers, cars and coverage, so compare within a table, not across them.
What being high-risk costs at the cheapest insurer
Even if you shop well, the surcharge is real. Using NerdWallet’s October 2026 figures, here is how much more the cheapest large insurer charges each high-risk profile than the cheapest rate for a 35-year-old with a clean record ($138 a month):
| Profile | Cheapest monthly rate | Extra per month vs. clean record | Extra over three years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding ticket | $177 | $39 | $1,404 |
| At-fault accident | $190 | $52 | $1,872 |
| DUI | $232 | $94 | $3,384 |
| Poor credit | $232 | $94 | $3,384 |
Differences and three-year totals are our calculations from NerdWallet’s median rates and assume the surcharge stays flat for three years; real surcharges often shrink as an incident ages. If you stay with a pricier company instead of shopping, the gap is larger: ValuePenguin’s average DUI rate of $391 a month is $159 more than the cheapest DUI rate above.
Nonstandard insurers
If standard companies decline you, ValuePenguin points to nonstandard insurers that design policies for high-risk drivers, naming National General, The General, Dairyland, Bristol West, Acceptance, Direct Auto, Gainsco, Infinity and United Automobile. ValuePenguin cautions that they are usually more expensive and offer fewer coverage options. For a DUI specifically, see our car insurance after a DUI guide, and for the state filing many high-risk drivers need, our SR-22 insurance cost guide.
SR-22 and FR-44 filings
Some high-risk drivers also need their insurer to file a certificate with the state. ValuePenguin describes an SR-22 as a form your insurance company files to prove you carry at least the state’s minimum coverage, often required after multiple accidents, a DUI or other major violations. Not every insurer will file one, which is one reason ValuePenguin favors Progressive for drivers with a DUI: it will usually file the form for you. Florida and Virginia use a stricter version called the FR-44; our SR-22 guide explains both. If your insurer cancels you or won’t file, line up a replacement before the old policy ends, since a lapse is itself a high-risk factor.
State assigned-risk plans: the safety net
If no insurer will write you voluntarily, you still have a route to legal coverage. Every state runs what the industry calls the residual market (or shared market). AIPSO, the nonprofit that administers these plans for insurers in 49 states and the District of Columbia, describes it as covering “consumers who are unable to purchase automobile insurance through the voluntary market due to a variety of factors, such as their driving history or status as first-time drivers” (AIPSO Residual Market Overview, February 2026).
How big is the residual market?
Small. According to AIPSO, the auto residual market wrote $3.06 billion of premium in 2024, about 0.7% of all U.S. auto insurance premium. It varies widely by state: in 2022, ten states’ plans reported private passenger premiums under $150,000, while twelve reported more than $20 million. The first plan began in New Hampshire in 1938, and all states had one by 1959.
The four types of state plans
| Mechanism | How it works | Where (per AIPSO) |
|---|---|---|
| Automobile Insurance Plan (assigned risk) | Applicants are assigned to insurers in proportion to each insurer’s share of the state market; the assigned company writes the policy at plan rates | 45 jurisdictions |
| Joint Underwriting Association (JUA) | A few servicing carriers issue policies; results are shared across all insurers | Florida (FAJUA), Hawaii (HJUP), Michigan (MAIPF) and the New York Public Auto Pool |
| Reinsurance Facility | Every insurer must accept the applicant but may cede the policy to a shared facility | For example, New Hampshire for private passenger cars |
| State Fund | A state-created insurer sells the coverage | Maryland |
Source: AIPSO.
Examples: Maryland and California
- Maryland: The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (Maryland Auto Insurance) sells liability coverage to residents who can’t get it privately. To be eligible, a driver must have been rejected by at least two private insurers, or had a policy canceled or not renewed for any reason other than nonpayment (Maryland Manual).
- California: The California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP) also administers the state’s Low Cost Auto Insurance Program, which offers liability coverage to income-eligible drivers. Since 2015, drivers with less than three years of driving experience can qualify and the vehicle value limit is $25,000 (California Department of Insurance).
ValuePenguin describes assigned-risk plans as “usually expensive” with coverage that “may not be very good,” but better than nothing. In practice, you usually apply through a licensed agent; ask any local independent agent whether they’re certified to submit plan applications in your state.
How to get out of the high-risk category
ValuePenguin says high-risk status typically lasts three to five years, and new tickets, accidents, lapses or a DUI during that time usually restart the clock. These steps shorten the road:
- Never let coverage lapse. A lapse is a risk factor on its own and can push you toward nonstandard or assigned-risk coverage.
- Shop every renewal. Insurers weigh violations differently. In NerdWallet’s data, Travelers charged $177 a month after a ticket while Progressive charged $251 for the same profile. Our quote comparison guide explains how to compare apples to apples.
- Take an approved defensive driving course. ValuePenguin notes some insurers give discounts for safe-driving classes, but you usually must use a course from the insurer’s approved list.
- Improve your credit if you live in a state that allows credit-based pricing.
- Raise your deductible or trim optional coverage carefully. It lowers the bill, but talk to a licensed agent before cutting below what you can afford to pay after a crash.
- Be careful with telematics. ValuePenguin warns that some companies raise rates if the data shows risky driving, so wait until your habits have improved.
- Move back to a standard insurer as violations age off. Once you’re three to five years clean, ask for re-quotes from standard companies.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What makes someone a high-risk driver?
Insurers typically label you high-risk for multiple tickets, at-fault accidents, a DUI/DWI, a lapse in coverage, poor credit (in states that allow it) or being a teen or newly licensed driver.
How much is high-risk car insurance per month?
ValuePenguin’s July 2026 averages for full coverage are $258 with a speeding ticket, $310 with an at-fault accident, $391 with a DUI and $412 with poor credit.
Which company is cheapest for high-risk drivers?
In NerdWallet’s October 2026 analysis, Travelers was the cheapest large insurer after a ticket ($177 a month), an accident ($190), a DUI ($232) and for poor credit ($232). USAA was cheaper for eligible military families.
What is an assigned-risk auto insurance plan?
It’s a state residual-market program for drivers who can’t buy coverage voluntarily. In most states, applicants are assigned to insurers in proportion to their market share. AIPSO reports these plans wrote $3.06 billion, or 0.7% of U.S. auto premium, in 2024.
How long will I be considered a high-risk driver?
Usually three to five years from the incident, according to ValuePenguin. Another ticket, accident, DUI or lapse during that time typically resets the clock.
Sources
- ValuePenguin, “High-Risk Car Insurance,” updated July 27, 2026: valuepenguin.com
- NerdWallet, “Cheapest Car Insurance,” updated October 2, 2026: nerdwallet.com
- AIPSO, About AIPSO and “Residual Market Overview” (February 2026): aipso.com
- Maryland Manual, “Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund”: msa.maryland.gov
- California Department of Insurance, “California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance Program”: insurance.ca.gov
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Written by
Roberto Gomes, Founder and Editor
Roberto researches insurance and personal finance in the United States and Canada from insurers' policy documents, regulator data and public rate filings. He is not a licensed agent or adviser. How we research.
Written by Roberto Gomes, Editor
Roberto researches car and life insurance rates from state insurance department data, insurers' rate filings and published rate studies. He is not a licensed insurance agent, and Prime Capital Report does not sell insurance.
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