How to save on high-risk auto insurance?

What is high-risk auto insurance?

Auto insurance companies rely on anticipating and accounting for risk. If you are a high-risk driver, you are not the ideal candidate for an insurance company. Your high-risk driver status, for an insurance company, is made up of your driving behavior and non-driving factors.

Am I a high-risk driver? Driving factors considered by insurers:

When an insurance company calculates your auto insurance policy premium, it weighs driving-related and non-driving factors to determine how much risk you pose. Insurers typically look at the amount of:

  • Claims for fault
  • Transit taxes
  • Reckless driving
  • Careers
  • DUI

bad credit

To an insurance company, your credit score is a reflection of what kind of driver you will be. FTC studies show that insurance drivers with low credit scores are more likely to file a claim than drivers with better credit, and when drivers with bad credit file claim, they lead to more expensive payments. Any time there is more risk, your insurance company will protect itself by charging an inflated premium.

Auto insurance and license points

Many states use “point” systems to score driving violations. Each violation is linked to a specific number of “points” that remain on your record for some time depending on your status and the severity of the violation. If you get a certain number of points, you can lose your license.

However, your insurance company does not quote the points directly; they use their Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) to view information that comprises their point totals. Your MVR will provide you with a complete list of any citations issued to you, as well as any traffic collisions. Although the points on your driver’s license may reflect a high premium, they do not directly lead to higher premiums.

How to save on high-risk auto insurance

Here are some quick ways to save on car insurance as a high-risk driver.

Be careful before filing a collision claim

Collision claims are intended to repair damage to your vehicle when it collides with a fixed object, such as another vehicle, a wall, or a pole. These claims can dramatically increase your premium. But depending on the value of the damage, you could pay more in premium surcharges than in out-of-pocket costs. If you are unsure about filing a claim, follow our guide below.

  • Get an estimate of out-of-pocket costs at a local repair shop.
  • Use our State of Insurance Study to see how much an at-fault accident would increase rates in your state. Consider that value cumulatively over three years.
  • Compare your out-of-pocket costs to the rate increase plus your deductible. If it’s cheaper to pay for the damage yourself, take that approach. 

For example:

You go back to your mailbox and cause $1,300 worth of damage to your vehicle. In the state of California, the average collision claim with this amount of damage raised rates of $1,412 per year. Over three years, this increase would multiply to $4,236. If you have a $500 deductible, your total amount paid for this single claim would be $4,736. In this situation, you would save $3,436 by paying out of pocket. Learn more about when and when not to file an insurance claim. 

Take a defensive driving course

Take the course before the ticket is reported to your insurance company. While this solution won’t help if you already have the ticket on your record, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re considering signing up for an expensive class. The skills you learn in your course can help you become a safer driver, thereby avoiding traffic violations and accidents.

Improve your credit score

Improving your credit score from poor to excellent can save you over $1,500 per year on auto insurance! On average, you can save about 17% with each credit score rank you move up.

Wait for your violations to expire

Be aware of when your ticket will expire. When the time is up, contact your insurance company to make sure you are not charged for the violation after the period has passed. Your insurance rate will “rerun” every six months, but if your violation goes away before then, you should contact your company directly. They most likely won’t adjust the rate without being asked.

leave the car for a while

At the end of the day, it’s hard to undo the mistakes you’ve already made. If he is a high-risk driver, he will pay a little more for car insurance. If you can’t currently afford car insurance and can get by with public transportation, a bike, or ride-sharing services, try going car-free. Please note that you will not be able to legally drive your vehicle without insurance coverage. However, this could be a good solution if you are out of options and short on money.

Compare rates

This is the most effective way to save money on auto insurance. Not all insurance companies will rate or charge you for your violations equally. As you can see from the insurer data above, there is a lot of variation between companies. The only way to know you’re getting the best possible rate is to compare auto insurance quotes near the end of each policy period.

Where can I buy high risk auto insurance?

Due to the risk that some drivers present, there are cases where no car insurance company, not even non-standard insurers , which specifically cater to the category of high-risk drivers, will issue you a policy regardless of how much you are willing to pay. . to pay. In these unique circumstances, assigned risk insurance comes into play. Assigned risk insurance is the last resort for drivers with very poor driving records who are looking for auto insurance.

To qualify for assigned risk insurance, you must show that you tried and failed to obtain insurance multiple times and have been denied based on your driving record. Once that happens, an insurance agent will send a report to the state notifying you that you need assigned risk insurance. Unfortunately, assigned risk insurance is often expensive.

Being “too risky” for an insurance company is not a definable quality. The best thing you can do is find affordable high-risk auto insurance and shop around.

Here are some companies that serve high-risk drivers:

  • Bristol West
  • Dairy
  • infinite
  • Kemper
  • The general
  • Contrast
  • Gainsco
  • AssuranceAmerica
  • Hawk

What is high-risk auto insurance?

High-risk car insurance is really no different than regular car insurance. However, what is different is the driver. Insurance companies are not eager to cover drivers with a history of at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, or other violations, as they are more likely to file claims. Similarly, data suggests that drivers who are younger, have poor credit, or live in certain zip codes are also more likely to file a claim or have one filed against them. Because of this added risk, high-risk drivers almost always pay higher insurance rates and have a smaller choice of insurance companies to choose from.

How much does high-risk car insurance cost?

High-risk drivers will pay more for car insurance. However, the amount of increase in your premiums will vary based on a number of variables. For example, a DUI/DWI conviction can increase your premiums by about 71%, which adds up to an extra $549 for a six-month policy. On the other hand, a speeding ticket could increase the cost of a six-month policy by an average of $168.

What makes a driver high risk?

Both driving and non-driving factors can cause an insurance company to classify a driver as high risk. Driving factors include things like a history of at-fault accidents, a large number of claims, a hit-and-run, or a DUI. Non-driving factors include the driver’s age, gender, address, vehicle, or credit score (except in Hawaii, California, and Massachusetts). Any of these factors could cause an insurance company to consider you a high risk.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers?

It depends on your individual situation. However, among the major airlines, USAA tends to provide the cheapest coverage for drivers in a number of high-risk categories, such as poor credit, at-fault accidents, and speeding tickets, among others. However, since USAA is only available to those in the military (or their immediate family), other companies that offer lower rates include GEICO, Nationwide, and State Farm, although prices depend on the offense. Chances are one of the major airlines is not offering the cheapest fare. For this, it might be worth looking for a non-standard insurance company specializing in high-risk insurance.

What if I can’t find auto insurance?

If you are denied coverage from a standard carrier, your best course of action is to seek out what is known as a non-standard carrier. These insurance companies specialize in insuring drivers who don’t have the cleanest driving record. While you may waive some of the benefits offered by standard providers like GEICO or State Farm, you are more likely to find coverage. However, if your driving record is such that even non-standard carriers are wary of carrying you (those with a hit-and-run or multiple DUI convictions), most states have what’s known as a high-risk pool. Your state may require insurance companies to provide automobile coverage for these drivers. However, keep in mind that this coverage is not likely to be cheap.