Cheap Car Insurance for a Bad Driving Record

If you have a bad driving record, car insurance companies consider you to be a higher risk than other drivers. This can make car insurance expensive and difficult to find. As a result, a question we frequently get from drivers is, how can I get cheap car insurance with a bad driving record? 

The good news is there are auto insurance options for drivers with bad records. To help you navigate this process, here’s an overview of how a bad driving record impacts your insurance and how to find affordable car insurance if you’re a high-risk driver. 

To learn more or get a free car insurance quote, contact GoAuto Insurance.  

Bad Driving and Car Insurance Rates

Your driving record is one factor that car insurance companies look at when setting auto insurance rates. If you have a record with violations and citations, your insurance premiums will go up. 

Your insurance premiums usually increase with each infraction, but the type and number of infractions can put you in the category of a high-risk driver. When you fall into this category, insurance companies view you as a liability. Companies compensate for this liability by raising your insurance rates significantly. 

Infractions that commonly impact auto insurance are: 

• At-fault accidents
• Speeding tickets
• Reckless driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI)
• Street racing 

The amount that bad driving impacts your insurance varies significantly based on the type of infraction and how many infractions you have. For example, DUIs can nearly double your cost of insurance, while a speeding ticket might only increase your insurance by a few hundred dollars annually. 

The bottom line for drivers is that if you have a driving history with accidents, tickets, or DUIs, your insurance rates will go up. The amount your rates rise will depend on the amount of infractions, the type of infractions, and your insurance company. 

How to Find Affordable Car Insurance With a Bad Driving Record 

If you have a bad driving record, it’s still possible to find cheap car insurance. In this situation, drivers should be proactive about finding the right auto insurance for their needs and improving their driving record. 

Here are some things you should do to find affordable car insurance if you are considered a high-risk driver: 

• Take a defensive driving course. In some states, a driving course allows you to avoid points on your license after a ticket. In addition, many insurance companies offer discounts if you complete a defensive driving class. Plus, a defensive driving course can help all drivers avoid future infractions and become safer on the road. 
• Be cautious about filing claims. If you’ve filed multiple claims, be cautious about making additional claims. Consider the amount of your repairs and the deductible before making a claim. Even if you would save a little bit of money by filing a claim, it likely will save you in the long run to make repairs yourself and avoid additional claims. 
• Compare auto insurance quotes. Each company has its own system for evaluating driving records and setting rates. If your rates go up significantly after an infraction, shop around. Getting quotes from three or more companies is a good way to save on car insurance even with a bad driving record. 
• Consider usage-based car insurance. One way to reduce your annual cost of car insurance is to look at usage-based policies. These aren’t a great fit for all drivers, but if you drive limited miles or infrequently, this can be a good option. 
• Adjust your coverage. One way to save on auto insurance is to review and adjust your coverage. You need to carry your state’s minimum requirements and any coverage required by your lender. However, many drivers have additional coverage beyond these minimums. Reducing your policy to only what is required can result in big savings on your annual insurance costs. 
• Work to improve your driving record. In addition to finding ways to reduce your expenses in the short term, you should also work on improving your driving record, which will lead to long-term savings. Complying with traffic laws and avoiding distracted driving are good ways to do this. 

Get an Affordable Auto Insurance Quote

At GoAuto Insurance, we are proud to offer affordable auto insurance that gives drivers the coverage they need. We minimize costs by working directly with customers and cutting out the expense of agents. We also help drivers save money by creating policies that only have the coverage they need. 

If you’re concerned about how your driving record impacts the cost of insurance, contact our team today. We’ll work with you to create an affordable auto insurance policy to meet your needs. 

Get started by calling us at (833) 700-0000 or requesting a free quote online.