Car insurance for a bad driving record in 2026

Q: Is car insurance more expensive for bad drivers?

Yes , a bad driving record means higher insurance rates due to the risk of a claim. Rates for drivers with a bad record range from $210 a month in Ohio to $669 a month in Michigan.

How does a bad driving record affect car insurance?

Insurance companies charge drivers with problems on their records higher rates to compensate for the extra risk they take on. You will pay more for a set period, usually three years, and then rates will go down as long as nothing new appears on your record.

“How long an event stays on your driving record for insurance purposes varies by state, but is commonly three years,” Brasier says.

He adds that the negative information can linger for longer in certain states. In addition, offenses may remain on your record for longer than three years if the offense was particularly severe, such as a DUI. In such cases, the offense may remain on your driving record for up to five or even 10 years.

How much is car insurance for a bad driving record?

How much you pay for car insurance with a bad driving record depends on the type and number of violations, your location, the insurance company, and other factors about you as a driver and your vehicle. A careless driving ticket, for example, costs between $2,134 and $4,169 per year, depending on the carrier. With two speeding tickets, rates range from $2,339 a year to $5,181.

Cheap car insurance with bad driving record

The cheapest national carrier for insurance with a bad driving record is USAA, with the cheapest rates for drivers with a distracted driving ($2,100 annually) or careless driving ticket ($3,134 annually) and for drivers with two speeding tickets ($2,339 annually). However, USAA is only available to military members, veterans, and eligible family members. For all other drivers, Travelers has the lowest rates, ranging from $2,598 a year to $3,139.

Rates for other violations will vary, and other factors affect rates, so shop around to find the best price for you.

Take a look at the table below to compare average rates from top insurance companies for drivers with a distracted driving violation or with a careless driving conviction on their record, or with two speeding tickets.

Company	Rate with a distracted driving ticket	Rate with a careless driving ticket	Rate with two speeding tickets
Allstate	$4,012	$4,036	$4,551
Farmers	$4,571	$5,169	$5,181
GEICO	$2,987	$3,148	$3,903
Nationwide	$3,726	$3,765	$4,641
Progressive	$3,732	$3,773	$4,058
State Farm	$3,471	$3,471	$4,059
Travelers	$2,598	$2,881	$3,139
USAA	$2,100	$2,134	$2,339

What is considered a bad driving record?

A bad driving record generally includes multiple or serious violations or multiple or serious accidents within a short period of time. How each carrier defines a bad driving record varies.

If you have a history of collisions, traffic violations, or DUI/DWI convictions, it is likely that insurers will view you as having a bad driving record.

How to get car insurance with a bad driving record

To get car insurance with a bad driving record, first request quotes from multiple carriers. Compare three to five quotes to find the lowest price.

If you are turned down for a traditional auto insurance policy because of your driving record, you might need to get coverage through an insurance company that specializes in insuring high-risk drivers.

As a last resort, you may have to go through a state-assigned risk pool. Insurance companies that participate in these risk pools must offer coverage to drivers. These insurers may not offer the same comprehensive coverageComprehensive coverage helps pay for damage to your car caused by events other than a collision, such as theft, fire, vandalism, or natural disasters. It is subject to a deductible. as you would get with a high-risk insurer.

Car insurance discounts for bad driving records

Drivers with violations or accidents on their record can still qualify for discounts such as bundling, safety and security features, paperless billing, loyalty and good student. Taking a defensive driving course might help get you a discount on rates.

Available discounts that aren't impacted by driving record include:

Bundling discounts
Discounts for safety features and anti-theft devices
Paperless billing or paying in full
Good student
Loyalty discounts

“Bundle your auto and home or renter policy with the same insurance carrier,” Brasier says. “Nationwide and other carriers typically offer price discounts when multiple policies are placed with the same company.”

Another way to save is to pay your policy in full or to set up recurring payments and see if that gets you a price break. For example, in some states, Nationwide offers a 10% discount for paying in full and a 5% discount for setting up recurring payments.

Cheapest states for car insurance with a bad driving record

The cheapest state for car insurance with a bad driving record is Ohio, at an average of $2,522 a year or $210 a month, followed by Vermont ($211 a month) and New Hampshire ($217 a month).

The table below lists the 10 cheapest states for drivers with a bad record.

The 10 cheapest states for car insurance with a bad driving record
State	Average annual rate	Average monthly rate
Ohio	$2,522	$210
Vermont	$2,526	$211
New Hampshire	$2,602	$217
Maine	$2,759	$230
Idaho	$2,918	$243
Maryland	$2,932	$244
Virginia	$2,933	$244
Indiana	$2,992	$249
Oregon	$3,012	$251
Wyoming	$3,014	$251

Most expensive states for car insurance with a bad driving record

The most expensive state for car insurance with a bad driving record is Michigan, at an average of $8,031 a year or $669 a month, followed by California ($561 a month) and Louisiana ($490 a month).

The table below lists rates for the 10 most expensive states for car insurance with a bad record.

The 10 most expensive states for car insurance with a bad record
State	Average annual rate	Average monthly rate
Michigan	$8,031	$669
California	$6,731	$561
Louisiana	$5,880	$490
Nevada	$5,822	$485
Florida	$5,583	$465
Texas	$5,383	$449
New Jersey	$5,324	$444
Connecticut	$5,243	$437
North Carolina	$5,137	$428
Washington, D.C.	$5,055	$421

What to do if you have a bad driving record

If you have a bad driving record, take a defensive driving course, buy a safe car, and consider a usage-based program that monitors your driving and provides feedback. All of these things can earn you lower insurance rates.

Take a defensive driving course. Enrolling in this type of course can help you brush up on safe driving techniques and habits.
Buy a car with safety features. Many of today’s cars have safety features – such as automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning -- that can help you avoid accidents.
Use a monitoring device. Once you feel confident in your ability to drive more safely, ask your insurer if it offers discounts to drivers who agree to have their driving monitored. Many insurers give discounts to drivers when monitoring confirms that they drive safely.

Work to keep your record clean going forward, and your rates will drop over time.

FAQ: Car insurance with a bad record

Is car insurance more expensive for bad drivers?

Yes, a bad driving record means higher insurance rates due to the risk of a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing.. Rates for drivers with a bad record range from $210 a month in Ohio to $669 a month in Michigan.

What is the cheapest insurance for drivers with accidents on their record?

USAA is the cheapest carrier on average for drivers with an accident on their record, at an average of $2,490 a year, but is only available to military members, veterans and eligible family members. For all other drivers, Travelers is the cheapest at $2,823 a year.

Is there an auto insurance company that doesn't check driving records?

No. All insurance companies check your driving record. It's a primary factor in determining how much you pay for car insurance. Your record will be checked when you first apply for a policy and at renewal.