Many high-risk drivers struggle to find the car insurance coverage they need at an affordable price. To find the best insurance for high-risk drivers, we looked at the biggest providers and evaluated each one based on pricing and discounts, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores, and online resources. If you’re looking for high-risk insurance, we recommend checking out Erie, American Family, Geico, Allstate, and The Hartford.
What’s a High-Risk Driver?
A high-risk driver is someone who can’t purchase standard car insurance from a regular insurance company. Usually, high-risk drivers have multiple speeding tickets or accidents on their record, have been convicted of a DUI, have a lapse in insurance coverage, or have lost their license for some reason.
However, high-risk drivers aren’t necessarily bad drivers. Newly licensed teen drivers, seniors, and people with poor credit scores often fall into the high-risk category. Because these types of drivers are more likely to file a claim, insurance companies may deny coverage to protect themselves financially.
The Best High Risk Car Insurance Companies
- Erie: Best After Speeding Tickets
- American Family: Best After an Accident
- Geico: Best for Bad Credit
- Allstate: Best for New Drivers
- The Hartford: Best for Senior Drivers
Compare the Best High Risk Car Insurance Companies
| Reviews.com Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options. | AM Best Financial Strength AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim. | J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction* J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin Erie | 4/5 | A+ | 848/1,000 | |
| Pin American Family | 4.6/5 | A | 822/1,000 | |
| Pin Geico | 4.6/5 | A++ | 843/1,000 | |
| Pin Allstate | 4.2/5 | A+ | 825/1,000 | |
| Pin The Hartford | 3.8/5 | A+ | 824/1,000 |
Information accurate as of February 2021.
* J.D. Power’s 2020 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study. Scores are based on a 1,000-point scale and Reviews.com calculated the average score for carriers across all regions.
Erie
Best after a speeding ticket
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Good customer service
- Variety of coverage options
- 12-month rate lock guarantee
- Affordable policies
Cons
- No mobile app for car insurance
Types of Coverage Offered
- Accident forgiveness
- Rental car coverage
- Roadside assistance
- New car protection
- Better car protection
- Ridesharing insurance
Discounts Available
- Safe driving
- Multi-car and -policy
- Reduced usage
- Young drivers
- Pay in full
*J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study average rating. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Further Reading on Erie
American Family
Best after an accident
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Good customer service
- Variety of coverage options
- 12-month rate lock guarantee
- Affordable policies
Cons
- No mobile app for car insurance
Types of Coverage Offered
- Gap insurance
- Rental reimbursement coverage
- Roadside assistance
- Accidental death and dismemberment coverage
- OEM coverage
- Travel coverage
Discounts Available
- Multi-policy
- Early bird
- Switch providers
- Defensive driver course
- Young driver discounts
*J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study average rating. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Further Reading on American Family
- American Family auto insurance review
- American Family homeowners insurance review
- American Family renters insurance review
Geico
Best for bad credit
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Variety of discounts
- Cheap policies
- Good online tools and resources
- Financial strength
Cons
- Poor customer service
- Limited coverage
Types of Coverage Offered
- Emergency roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Mechanical breakdown coverage
Discounts Available
- Vehicle safety equipment
- Good driver
- Good student
- Multi-policy
- Federal employee
- Military
- Emergency deployment
*J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study average rating. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Further Reading on Geico
Allstate
Best for new drivers
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Teen-specific discounts
- Excellent financial strength
- Widespread availability
- Good online and mobile tools
Cons
- Average customer service ratings
Types of Coverage Offered
- Accident forgiveness
- New car replacement coverage
- Sound system insurance
- Roadside assistance
- Rideshare insurance
Discounts Available
- Smart student
- teenSMART® driver education program
- Student away at school
- New car
- Paperless billing statements
- Responsible payer
*J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study average rating. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Further Reading on Allstate
The Hartford
Best for seniors
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Good customer service
- Unique coverage options
- Affordable policies
- 24/7 claims
Cons
- Only available for AARP members
Types of Coverage Offered
- RecoverCare assistance coverage
- First accident forgiveness
- New car replacement coverage
- Lifetime car repair coverage
- Glass coverage
- Gap insurance
Discounts Available
- Anti-theft device
- Good student
- Defensive driver course
- Multi-policy
- Paid in full
- Hybrid vehicle
*J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study average rating. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Cost of high risk insurance after an accident
| Provider | No accident* | With 1 accident* | Difference |
| State Farm | $2,285 | $2,516 | 10% |
| Geico | $1,895 | $2,498 | 32% |
| Progressive | $2,361 | $2,977 | 26% |
| Travelers | $2,115 | $2,330 | 10% |
| Farmers | $2,366 | $3,146 | 33% |
| Nationwide | $1,929 | $2,540 | 32% |
| American Family | $1,758 | $2,160 | 23% |
| Amica | $1,929 | $2,618 | 36% |
| Erie | $1,726 | $2,116 | 23% |
| Metropolitan | $2,656 | $3,183 | 20% |
Information accurate as of February 2021.
*Data provided by Coverage.com and based on full coverage quotes.
Cost of high risk insurance after a speeding ticket
| Provider | No speeding ticket* | With 1 speeding ticket* | Difference |
| State Farm | $2,338 | $2,395 | 2% |
| Geico | $2,078 | $2,108 | 1% |
| Progressive | $2,515 | $2,587 | 3% |
| Travelers | $2,140 | $2,268 | 6% |
| Farmers | $2,571 | $2,687 | 4% |
| Nationwide | $2,087 | $2,177 | 4% |
| American Family | $1,810 | $1,926 | 6% |
| Amica | $2,154 | $2,155 | 0% |
| Erie | $1,810 | $1,878 | 4% |
| Metropolitan | $2,762 | $2,868 | 4% |
Information accurate as of February 2021.
*Data provided by Coverage.com and based on full coverage quotes
Cost of high risk insurance with bad credit
| Company | Good credit* | Poor credit* | Difference |
| State Farm | $1,848 | $2,990 | 62% |
| Geico | $1,844 | $2,354 | 28% |
| Progressive | $2,241 | $2,933 | 31% |
| Travelers | $1,931 | $2,508 | 30% |
| Farmers | $1,922 | $2,866 | 49% |
| Nationwide | $1,855 | $2,408 | 30% |
| American Family | $1,478 | $2,328 | 57% |
| Amica | $1,794 | $2,937 | 64% |
| Erie | $1,293 | $2,454 | 90% |
| Metropolitan | $2,689 | $3,026 | 13% |
Information accurate as of February 2021.
*Data provided by Coverage.com and based on full coverage quotes
How We Selected the Best Auto Insurance Companies
Reviews.com scores products, services and companies to help readers choose the best one for them. To find the best car insurance companies for high-risk drivers, our editorial team compared affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores and online resources for each company.
For average pricing, we used Coverage.com‘s data, based on the profiles of a 30-year-old male and female. For full coverage, the following were used:
- $100k bodily injury liability per person
- $300k bodily injury liability coverage per crash
- $100k property damage liability coverage per crash
- $500 collision coverage deductible
- $500 comprehensive coverage deductible
Minimum coverages were applied to match state requirements. Both drivers used a new, financed 2018 Toyota Camry, commuting five days a week and driving 12,000 miles per year. Since auto insurance rates vary widely among different profiles, we encourage you to compare options that fit your specific needs.
High-Risk Auto Insurance FAQ
About the Authors
Elizabeth Rivelli is an insurance writer for Reviews.com. Over the last year, she has covered insurance providers, best policies, industry trends and more. Elizabeth has been featured in The Simple Dollar, Bankrate and Coverage.com, among others. She holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. The Best Term Life Insurance Companies is Elizabeth’s favorite review on Reviews.com.
