Joanna Johnson
Car Insurance Expert
Updated: 02/2022
Joanna is an expert on understanding how the different laws and regulations in the car insurance industry shape the way that policies work.
Shopping for car insurance can be a nightmare if you don’t have a strong driving record. While there are plenty of insurance providers that are willing to insure drivers with poor driving records, they often offer inflated policy rates. This means that some drivers can end up paying thousands of extra dollars to access car insurance on their vehicles.
If you’re someone who has a less-than-perfect history, you might be wondering if you’ll ever have an opportunity to access affordable insurance. Fortunately, if you approach the insurance process correctly, there are still reliable insurance providers that offer cheap car insurance to drivers with bad driving records.
We’ll be taking a closer look at how bad driving records can impact your insurance policy rates, and what you can do to ensure you access an affordable policy.
What Can Damage My Driving Record?
As previously mentioned, your driving record is one of the critical elements that is considered by insurance providers when they determine your eligibility or policy cost. So, what are the types of issues that can damage your driving record in the eyes of an insurance provider? Let’s take a closer look:
1. Accidents and Traffic Incidents
It may go without saying, but one of the biggest red flags for an insurance provider is someone who has a history of accidents. Traffic incidents can cost serious money for your insurance provider, so many insurance companies will look to avoid working with customers that have a significant number of accidents.
While it’s not always possible to avoid an accident, it’s best to ensure that you’re driving as effectively as possible. If you have a large number of accidents, it will mean that you’ll pay more for an insurance policy than a driver who doesn’t.
2. Tickets
It’s not just an accident that can get you in trouble with an insurance provider. You also need to consider speeding tickets and other driving infractions. While speeding infractions don’t mean that your insurance company has to pay your fine, it’s still an indication that you’re an ‘at-risk’ driver.
For example, if you’re more likely to speed or break other road rules, an insurance provider will determine that you’re someone who cannot be trusted to drive responsibly. For this reason, it’s essential to avoid driving dangerously on the road. If you end up getting a ticket for a driving incident, it might end up costing you much more than a small fine – your insurance costs can skyrocket!
3. DUIs
Another critical issue that can impact your ability to source insurance is a DUI charge. If you’ve been caught driving under the influence, it can be next to impossible to get insurance from certain companies.
This is an issue that will also show up on your criminal record in some cases, so it’s important to remember that it can stay with you permanently. Make sure to avoid operating any type of vehicle if you’ve consumed drugs or alcohol. Not only is it potentially deadly for yourself and other drivers, but it can also stay on your record forever.
How to Improve Your Chances of Accessing Affordable Car Insurance
If you have any of the driving issues mentioned in the previous section, it’s essential to work towards reducing your insurance costs. While clearing up your previous driving record isn’t typically an option, you can target other ways to reduce your car insurance costs. Below, let’s take a look at some important steps you can take to reduce your insurance costs:
1. Take a Defensive Driving Class
If you have a bad driving record, it can be a good idea to take a defensive driving class before you apply for an auto insurance policy. This can be one of the best ways that you can prove to an insurance provider that you’re serious about improving your driving capabilities.
There are some insurance companies that will offer discounts to policyholders that complete a defensive driving course. Not only can this help you save money on your insurance policy, but it may also help you learn valuable skills that can decrease your chances of getting in accidents or accumulating tickets.
Search for affordable defensive driving courses in your region and then ask your car insurance provider if the course is eligible for a discount. It’s a good idea to double-check with your insurance provider before you pay for a course.
2. Improve Your Credit Score
Many people don’t realize that their credit score can impact their car insurance quote. While your credit score and your driving record might not appear to have anything in common, insurance providers believe that a credit score can indicate how responsible you are.
If you have a better score, you’re more likely to receive an affordable quote for your car insurance. By paying down debts and maintaining a strong payment history, you can ensure that your credit score is an asset when it comes time to apply for a car insurance policy.
If you have time to pay down debt before you need a new car insurance policy, this is something that might be worth doing.
3. Increase Your Education
Believe it or not, but your education can tell your insurance company a lot about your ability to maintain a good driving record. In some cases, insurance companies will offer better rates to people with more education (but make sure to verify this is true with your insurance provider).
Also, if you’re in school, you might be able to access a student discount that can drastically decrease the cost of your auto insurance. This is always a good idea if you want to help yourself reduce your insurance costs when you’re studying. If you’re a student, don’t forget to tell your insurance company.
4. Focus on Maintaining a Good Driving Record
While you might not be able to change your past driving record, you can do as much as possible to avoid future issues. If you want to continue to lower your insurance costs, it’s always a good idea to be as careful as possible on the road. Avoiding accidents, tickets, and other driving infractions can help you restore trust with your car insurance provider.
5. Ask for a Higher Deductible
If you want to decrease your premiums, you can always ask your insurance company to increase your deductibles. Your deductible is the amount that you’ll pay if you have to make a claim on your insurance policy. By increasing your deductible, you’re reducing the amount of financial liability for your insurance company.
While this means that you’ll have to pay more if you get in an accident, it also means you can reduce the cost of your insurance. If you trust yourself to avoid an accident, it can sometimes be worth accepting a higher deductible in exchange for lower insurance costs.
6. Move to a Safer Area
Your auto insurance can sometimes increase if you’re in an area that is deemed ‘high-risk.’ This is because auto insurance providers want to avoid exposure to car theft and other potential costs. Moving to a better area in your city might help you lower your insurance premiums.
7. Don’t Claim Under Your Deductible
One of the best things to do if you want to keep your insurance premiums low is to avoid claiming when you don’t need to. For example, if the cost of a repair is below your insurance deductible, it can sometimes be a better option to make the repairs without claiming it on insurance. There’s no point recording an accident on your insurance record if it’s not going to benefit you at all.
The same can also be true if the costs of a repair are only slightly over your deductible. While it might save you a bit of money to claim minor damages on your insurance, the long-term costs can be significant. This is especially true if you have a no-claims bonus that you might have to forfeit – make sure to weigh up the costs before you make a decision to claim.
The Importance of Comparing the Market
If your priority is accessing affordable insurance, it’s critical to compare the market before you make any financial commitments to a particular insurance company. This is especially true if you’re planning on paying for an entire year of insurance upfront – you won’t be able to backtrack if you find a better offer.
We’re firm believers that comparing multiple insurance providers is the best way to access the most affordable rates. It’s never been easier to explore the offers of multiple insurance companies at the same time. Gone are the days that drivers had to request physical quotes from multiple insurance companies in person – you can now access most of this information online.
Simply head online to the most popular insurance companies and request quotes. Make sure that it’s an insurance company that’s willing to offer insurance to someone with a poor driving record – there’s no point requesting a quote from a firm that won’t be willing to offer you insurance. Just because you request a quote, doesn’t mean you have to make any financial commitments to the insurance company.
Many consumers think that applying for insurance is similar to applying for a loan or a credit card. In most cases, when you apply for a loan or a credit card, and you’re accepted by the lender, they’ll automatically issue the loan or credit card in your name. With auto insurance, you can request a quote without having to make any commitments.
Look Out for Incentives
If you’re unable to find an auto insurance policy that offers you an affordable rate, you still might be able to find an insurance provider that has incentives. If you find the right incentives, you can quickly shave money off your insurance policy by abiding by your insurer’s rules.
For example, if you don’t make any claims for a pre-determined amount of time, your auto insurance provider might be willing to offer a ‘no-claims’ bonus that reduces the cost of your insurance. In this case, you can unlock money back or a bonus for the next year by not claiming.
Don’t Let Loyalty Cloud Your Judgement
If you’ve been with the same auto insurance provider for many years, you might feel obligated to stay with them. While auto insurance companies enjoy building up loyalty with their customer base, it’s important to leave your current partnership if they’re not willing to lower your rates.
If your current insurance premiums are extremely high because of your driving record, it can be an excellent idea to start branching out and looking at other insurers – regardless of how long you’ve been with your current insurance company.
If you really want to stay with your current insurance company, but they’re not willing to budge because of your driving record, get quotes from other providers and ask your insurance company if they can price match. If they’re unable to price match, it’s time to find a better insurance company that values your business.
Verdict: Find the Best Insurance by Comparing the Market
We understand that it can feel like an uphill battle if you’re trying to find car insurance with a bad driving record. With many auto insurance companies shying away from offering insurance policies to drivers with less-than-perfect driving records, it can feel like a nightmare if you’re trying to find an affordable rate. Fortunately, there are plenty of steps you can take to increase your chances of finding affordable car insurance.
Make sure to check out the rest of the content on our website if you want additional information about car insurance and related topics.
FAQ
General Bad Driving Car Insurance Questions
This section answers general questions about people with bad driving records and car insurance.
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Why is my car insurance so high with a clean record?
There are lots of reasons your insurance is so high. You should call your insurance company and request a bill breakdown, so you know what is costing you what.
How to get cheap car insurance with bad driving record?
The best way to get cheap car insurance with a bad driving record is to use internet comparison tools to shop around and find the best rate for you.
How to get good car insurance with a spotless record?
Comparison shopping is the best way to get good car insurance with a spotless record. Make sure you do an apples-to-apples comparison of different policies.
If my insurance covers the car, why does my driving record matter?
Your driving record matters because it indicates how likely the insurance company will be to pay out on a claim against you. Related: How much does full coverage vs liability cost?
How to see claims record on auto insurance?
You can contact your insurance company to see claims on your record. Several companies also offer this through your online account.
How does my driving record affect a car insurance quote?
Your driving record greatly affects a car insurance quote. A clean driving record will get a cheaper price than one with tickets and accidents. Related: Why is car insurance so expensive?
What can I do to get insurance with a bad driving history?
There are several high-risk insurance companies that specialize in helping people with a bad driving history. You can also get high-risk insurance from most car insurance companies. Keep in mind car lease insurance requirements may require you to carry more or less insurance which would effect the cost as well..
What is the best car insurance for bad drivers?
The best car insurance for bad drivers is comprehensive coverage. That way you’re covered no matter who’s at fault in any accident. Be sure to compare insurance rates by zip code to see what others around you are paying.
Bad Driving Car Insurance and Price
We’ll cover common questions about the price of insurance with a bad driving record in this section.
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Who has the cheapest car insurance for bad drivers?
Every company has different prices in different areas for different drivers. It’s important to comparison shop to find the best car insurance price for you.
How to find cheap insurance when one of your insureds has bad driving record?
One of the best ways to get cheap insurance when one of your insureds has a bad diving record is to look for companies that have discount offers. Multi-car, multi-policy, bundling, good grades, and driving instruction can all lead to great discounts. If this is a temporary need ask for 24 hour auto insurance coverage.
How bad does a reckless driving charge affect insurance?
It depends on several factors. Your insurance will go up more if this was your first offense and will go up less if you have other offenses on your record.
How much is full coverage insurance for a mustang with bad driving record?
Full coverage for a mustang with a bad driving record will be expensive. The exact price depends on the specific record, the specific car, where you live, and more. Related: What is the average price of full coverage car insurance?
How to lower car insurance with good driving record?
You don’t need to do anything to lower your car insurance with a good driving record other than continually comparison shop to make sure the company you’re with is offering the best rate. Learn more about how to lower car insurance.
How much does your car insurance cost clean drivers record 27-year-old female?
The exact cost of car insurance depends on several factors, like the car, where you live, and your specific driving record. So, there’s no way to know the exact answer to this question.
How expensive is car insurance if my adult child has driving felonies on his record?
That depends on other things, such as the exact number and nature of the offenses, your driving record, the type of car, and so on.
Who has best rates for car insurance with 4 points on record?
It depends on the companies in your area. An internet price comparison tool can help you make sure you’re getting the best deal where you live.
How to get cheap auto insurance with no driving record?
Tailoring the exact insurance package you get is the best way to lower the cost of your insurance when you don’t have a driving record. Sometimes you can find a get car insurance now pay later option.
How much will my car insurance go down after my DUI is taken off my record?
How bad can driving after suspension affect your auto insurance?
Driving on a suspended license can cause your insurance to skyrocket or can even cause your insurance company to drop you.
How to find affordable auto insurance with 3 crash on record?
Internet comparison shopping is the best way to find affordable insurance with 3 crashes on your record. Make sure you use a tool that takes your crashes into account when getting the price. To find the best insurance for high risk drivers use our comparison tool.
What is the most it cost to add someone on your car insurance with a bad driving record?
There’s no upper limit for everyone when it comes to the cost of adding someone with a bad driving record to your insurance. It depends on the specific factors.
Driving History and Car Insurance
This section will help you understand how car insurance and your driving history interact.
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How much is the average yearly car insurance cost for a bad driver?
Depending on the state you live in and the car you drive the average cost for a bad driver can be higher or lower. Most people will pay around $4,241 per year for insurance with a bad driving record. Related: What if I can’t afford car insurance?
How far back on your driving record can auto insurance login?
It depends on your state. Each state has its own laws about how far back on your record an insurance company can look.
When I am off my parent’s car insurance, do I get a clean record for my insurance?
Your driving record comes from your actual driving, not your insurance. That means any tickets or accidents you have will carry over, but not your parent’s tickets or accidents. Related: Is there a grace period for car insurance when buying a used car?
How bad is 4 pts on DMV driving record for insurance?
It depends on the state where you live and other factors. Adding any points to your driving record will make your insurance go up at least some.
Do car insurance companies look at your record when they renew?
Yes, car insurance companies will check your record when you renew car insurance. Related: Getting insurance when buying a used car.
How many years of good driving record to get car insurance down?
The longer you go without a claim the lower your car insurance will be. Any tickets or accidents affect your quote less each year until they age off your report as per your state’s laws.
What car insurance companies look at only 3 year driving record?
It’s hard to say what companies only look at 3-year driving records because each state has different laws about how far a company can look back to set your price.
Which car insurance goes by driving record and not credit?
All car insurance companies take your credit score into account when setting your price.
What car insurance companies don’t check your driving record?
All car insurance companies check your driving record to provide you with car insurance quotes.
How often do AAA car insurance companies check your driving record?
It depends on the company and the state where you live how often your driving record gets checked. You’ll need to ask your specific insurance company.
What car insurance company covers liability for history of terrible driving record?
Most car insurance companies have a high-risk insurance product that works for people with a bad driving history. Related: Get a liability only car insurance quote.
What aspects of my driving record affect my car insurance?
Any tickets for moving violations or accidents will affect the quote you get for your car insurance.
How does driving record affect auto insurance?
Your driving record is one of the biggest factors in your car insurance price. The better your record, the lower the price.
What does a totaled car do to your insurance record?
A totaled car is recorded on your driving history and is used as a factor when setting your insurance price.
Driving History and Records
This section answers popular questions about driving history and records.
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How often do car insurance companies check your driving record?
Every company and state has their own policies and laws about checking driving records.
What reports do car insurance agencies check for diving record?
Car insurance companies check your driving history. This history is maintained by the state where you live.
How will I know when my car insurance check my DMV record?
You’ll need to ask the insurance company to notify you when they check your records to be aware of this occurrence.
Auto insurance demerit points stay on your record for how many years?
The length of time points stay on your record depends on the state where you live and the specific violation you were convicted of.
How do you find out if you have clean record on car insurance?
You can check your driving history with your state’s DMV to see what kind of driving record you have.
When signing up for car insurance after a wet reckless does it show on my record?
Almost certainly. Moving violations are reported to the state DMV and can be reported directly to insurance companies.
Other Bad Driving History Car Insurance Questions
This section contains other questions about bad driving records and car insurance. Check here if you don’t see you question in another section.
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What is that auto insurance that bad drivers need?
Bad drivers usually need to get high-risk auto insurance.
Finding car insurance when you have at fault accident on record?
You can find car insurance from most places when you have a single at-fault crash on your record. If you have more you may need a high-risk insurance company.
Why does my car insurance keep going up every 6 months with a clean driving record?
There are lots of reasons you insurance goes up. One of the most common is that the number of overall claims your company paid out went up over the year.
How to get auto insurance with accident and point on record?
You can get insurance from high-risk insurers with accidents and points on your record. You can also look for high-risk products from other car insurance companies.
Why car insurance quotes keep asking for accidents when they have a record?
Insurance companies ask for accidents before quotes because they need to pay to access your driving record. They want to give you an accurate quote before they give you the final price and check your record.
How much does car insurance cost if you have a ton of stuff on your record?
Car insurance prices vary based on the driver, the car, and where you live. The more things you have on your driving record the more your car insurance will cost.
How much is an average rate for car insurance for a 30-year-old man with a clean driving record?
On average a 30-year-old man with a clean driving record will pay about $1,800 per year for insurance.
What is the impact of credit on auto insurance if you have a good driving record and no claims?
The higher your credit score the better the odds that you’ll pay your bills on time. That means less risk for the insurance company and a lower rate for you.
When change car insurance to different car.do they check your driving record?
Yes, insurance companies will check your record when you change your car insurance to a different car.
How many years before car insurance claim falls off record?
The amount of time it takes before car insurance claims fall off your record depends on the claim and the state where you live.
When will my auto insurance accident disappear from my record?
Your accident will disappear from your record in a number of years determined by the state laws where you live.
