A high-risk driver is someone a standard insurance company sees as more likely to file a claim, usually because of tickets, an at-fault accident, a DUI, a coverage lapse, or being newly licensed. Being labeled high-risk raises your price, and coverage is still available to you.
If a standard company just raised your rate or declined to renew you, it is easy to feel stuck. You still need to drive, and you still need coverage that fits your budget. The label high-risk is a pricing category, and some insurers specialize in it.
Below is who counts as high-risk, what the higher cost tends to look like by violation, how long the label lasts, and how coverage works. You can also read our overview of the states we serve to see where GoAuto writes coverage.
Those figures come from NerdWallet rate analyses, with the year noted on each row so you can see how current it is. A DUI is the steepest increase, an at-fault accident is next, and a single speeding ticket is the mildest of the three. They are all full-coverage averages, though, which is the key. One way to bring your own bill down is to carry state-minimum liability, the lowest coverage level the law allows, where it fits your situation. That leanest legal option, such as state-minimum car insurance in Ohio, is available in every state where a nonstandard insurer writes coverage.
Key Takeaways
- A high-risk driver is one a standard insurer sees as more likely to file a claim, usually because of tickets, an at-fault accident, a DUI, a coverage lapse, or being newly licensed.
- On average, full coverage rises about 29 percent after a speeding ticket, about 50 percent after an at-fault accident, and about 90 percent after a DUI, per NerdWallet analyses.
- The high-risk label usually lasts about three to five years, and the surcharge generally fades as the violation ages rather than dropping off all at once.
- Nonstandard insurers specialize in higher-risk drivers and are usually the carriers that will file an SR-22 or FR-44 for you.
- Carrying state-minimum liability, the lowest coverage level the law allows, is one way to hold down the cost of a required policy.
- Keeping a clean record, avoiding a coverage lapse, and comparing quotes at each renewal are what move a driver back toward standard rates.
What Makes a Driver High-Risk?
You are usually labeled high-risk because of your driving record, your experience level, or your insurance history. High-risk drivers commonly include people who have tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI convictions, who have let coverage lapse, who are newly licensed, who are older, who have poor credit, or who own a high-powered vehicle. The Insurance Information Institute explains the logic behind the price: your premium reflects your driving record, your age and experience, and, in most states, a credit-based insurance score that helps predict the likelihood of a claim. The more risk an insurer sees, the higher the price. Not every high-risk label carries the same weight. A single speeding ticket is a mild mark, while multiple violations in a short window, an at-fault accident, or a DUI conviction move you much further up the risk scale. A coverage lapse counts too, because insurers read a gap as a sign that a future claim may be more likely. Being newly licensed or very young lands you in the tier on experience alone, since inexperienced drivers file more claims as a group. Several of these factors can stack, so a young driver with a recent ticket and a short credit history may be priced higher than any one of those factors would suggest on its own. Credit is a common surprise. In the states that allow it, a thin or low credit history can push you into the high-risk tier even with a clean driving record. If that is your situation, our page on car insurance for drivers with bad credit shows how a state-minimum policy is priced when credit is a factor.Standard vs Nonstandard Insurance: What Is the Difference?
Standard insurers chase low-risk drivers; nonstandard insurers are built to cover everyone else. Standard carriers compete hardest for drivers with clean records, and they tend to surcharge or decline anyone who falls outside that box. Nonstandard insurers, sometimes called high-risk insurers, do the opposite: they specialize in drivers with violations, lapses, or limited history, and they are usually the companies that will file an SR-22 or an FR-44 for you. A record that would push a standard company to decline or surcharge is routine for a nonstandard insurer. A decline from one company does not mean you are uninsurable. It means you have aged out of that company’s target box, and the market for higher-risk drivers is competitive in its own right. Because carriers weigh violations and history differently, the same record can draw very different prices from one nonstandard insurer to the next. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners consumer guide stresses giving each company identical information when you compare, so the quotes you line up are truly side by side.Where SR-22 and FR-44 Filings Fit In
If your high-risk status comes from a serious violation, your state may also require you to prove financial responsibility with an SR-22 or FR-44. An SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with the state to confirm you carry at least the minimum liability coverage the law requires. States commonly attach the requirement after a DUI, driving without insurance, or a license reinstatement, which are the same events that push you into the high-risk tier. A handful of states use a stricter form, the FR-44, for certain alcohol-related convictions, and it can require liability limits above the normal state minimum. Nonstandard insurers are usually the carriers set up to handle these filings, which is part of why high-risk drivers so often end up with them. The exact form, the required limits, and how long you must keep the filing are set by each state, so confirm your specific requirement with your state DMV before you buy.How Much More Does High-Risk Car Insurance Cost?
It depends on what puts you in the high-risk category. Here is the average full-coverage increase by event.| What happened | Average increase | Average full-coverage cost | Source |
| Speeding ticket | About 29% | About $3,033 / year | NerdWallet, 2026 |
| At-fault accident | About 50% (about $1,173 more / year) | Varies by profile | NerdWallet, 2026 |
| DUI | About 90% | About $4,469 / year | NerdWallet, 2026 |
How Long Are You Considered High-Risk?
Usually about three to five years, depending on the event, your insurer, and your state. A premium increase after an accident or violation typically lasts somewhere between three and five years, and the exact window varies by company and state. The surcharge generally fades as the event ages, so being high-risk is almost always temporary rather than permanent. Keeping a clean record and avoiding a coverage lapse from here forward is what moves you back toward standard rates. In practice, the surcharge usually steps down as the event ages rather than dropping off all at once, so each renewal after a clean year tends to bring the price closer to standard. Requesting a fresh quote at every renewal is worth the few minutes, because another carrier may reclassify you sooner than your current insurer does. Once the violation passes the lookback window your state and insurer use, it should stop affecting your rate entirely, and staying claim-free and continuously insured is what gets you there.Can You Still Get Insured as a High-Risk Driver?
Yes. Nonstandard insurers exist specifically to cover the drivers standard companies will not. As NerdWallet’s guide to high-risk auto insurance describes, these companies sell coverage to the riskiest drivers and routinely handle SR-22 and FR-44 filings. They write policies for drivers with tickets, accidents, DUIs, and lapses, and carrying state-minimum liability, the lowest coverage level the law allows, is one way to keep the cost of a required policy down. Coverage costs more than a clean-record policy, and it remains available.How to Lower Your High-Risk Rates Over Time
You cannot undo a violation, but you can shrink its cost. Keep your record clean going forward, since surcharges fade as accidents and tickets age. Do not let your coverage lapse, because a gap can raise your rate on its own. Carry the coverage level you actually need rather than defaulting to full coverage. Ask about discounts you may now qualify for, since the Insurance Information Institute lists practical steps like adjusting deductibles and bundling in its nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs. And shop around, because high-risk drivers, like all drivers, tend to find a better rate by comparing options. Our guide to cheap auto insurance in 2026 walks through where the savings actually come from. A few other levers can help while the label is in place. Many insurers offer a discount for completing a state-approved defensive driving or traffic safety course, which can also keep points off your record in some states. Usage-based or telematics programs, which set part of your price from how you actually drive, can reward safe habits going forward. Raising your deductible lowers the premium if you can cover the higher out-of-pocket cost after a claim. None of these erases a violation, and together they can trim what you pay while you wait for the surcharge to fade. If you are weighing your options here, contact GoAuto to talk it through.Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a high-risk driver?
A high-risk driver is one a standard insurer sees as more likely to file a claim. Common reasons include tickets, at-fault accidents, a DUI, a coverage lapse, being newly licensed, being older, or having poor credit in states where credit is used.How much more does high-risk car insurance cost?
It depends on the event.On average, full coverage rises about 29 percent after a speeding ticket (2026), about 50 percent after an at-fault accident (2026), and about 90 percent after a DUI (2026), per NerdWallet analyses. Carrying state-minimum liability can lower your actual bill.What is the difference between standard and nonstandard insurance?
Standard insurers compete for drivers with clean records and tend to surcharge or decline anyone outside that group. Nonstandard insurers specialize in higher-risk drivers, including those with tickets, accidents, DUIs, or lapses, and they are usually the companies that will file an SR-22 or FR-44. The policy you buy is a normal auto policy either way.How long am I considered a high-risk driver?
Usually about three to five years, depending on the event, your insurer, and your state. The surcharge fades as the violation ages, so it is almost always temporary.Do high-risk drivers need an SR-22?
Not always. An SR-22 is required only when your state orders it, usually after a serious violation such as a DUI, driving uninsured, or a license reinstatement. Many high-risk drivers, such as those labeled for a single ticket or thin credit, never need one. Confirm your requirement with your state DMV.Can I get car insurance if I am high-risk?
Yes. Nonstandard insurers specialize in high-risk drivers, including those who need an SR-22. Coverage costs more than a clean-record policy, and it is available. Carrying state-minimum liability, the lowest coverage level the law allows, keeps the cost of a required policy down.How can I lower my high-risk car insurance?
Keep a clean record, avoid a coverage lapse, carry only the coverage you need, and compare quotes. As your violations age, your rate generally comes back down.High-Risk Car Insurance: What to Remember
Being high-risk is a pricing category rather than a permanent status. Coverage remains available, the surcharge generally fades as the event ages, and carrying state-minimum liability where it fits your situation is one way to hold down the cost of a required policy. Keep your record clean, avoid a lapse, confirm any SR-22 requirement with your state DMV, and compare quotes to see the price specific to you.About GoAuto
GoAuto Insurance writes auto coverage across its licensed states, and considers drivers with a range of records, including tickets, accidents, DUIs, and coverage lapses. GoAuto focuses on state-minimum liability coverage, the lowest coverage level the law allows, and can handle SR-22 filing once your policy is active. Down-payment and payment options vary by state and situation. Eligibility, coverage, filing timelines, and pricing depend on your state and your individual circumstances, so to see what applies to you, get a quote. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal or insurance advice. Coverage, pricing, eligibility, and SR-22 or state-minimum requirements vary by state and by driver. GoAuto Insurance is available in TX, LA, GA, FL, NV, OH, AL, and TN. Confirm requirements with your state DMV and get a quote for terms specific to you.Sources
- Insurance Information Institute, What determines the price of my auto insurance policy
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Auto Insurance (consumer guide)
- NerdWallet, How Much Does Insurance Go Up After an Accident (2024/2026 analyses)
- NerdWallet, Best High-Risk Auto Insurance Companies
- Insurance Information Institute, Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs
- NerdWallet, How Much a Speeding Ticket Raises Insurance (2024 analysis)