Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Alabama

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Alabama for a bad driving record?

Travelers offers the cheapest average car insurance rate for high-risk drivers in Alabama at $2,115 a year. Nationwide and State Farm also provide below-average rates for drivers with traffic violations, accidents or other risk factors.

Traffic infractions, accidents and DUIs wind up on your driving record, meaning you'll pay higher car insurance rates in addition to any fines assessed. While most violations only affect your insurance rates for a few years, a DUI may affect rates for a decade and never be removed from your record.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Travelers	$1,428	$2,115
Nationwide	$1,345	$2,319
State Farm	$1,790	$2,747
Allstate	$2,178	$2,780
GEICO	$1,625	$3,086
Progressive	$2,402	$3,248
Auto-Owners	$2,134	$3,880
Farmers	$2,542	$4,712
USAA	$1,458	$2,182

Read our methodology

How much is high-risk car insurance in Alabama?

The average cost of high-risk car insurance in Alabama is $3,045 per year. Depending on your driving history and insurer, you may be able to find rates as low as $2,115 annually.

Several factors can classify you as a high-risk driver, but some raise your premiums more than others. For example, receiving multiple speeding tickets, or one in a school zone, will increase your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Keep reading as we break down the factors that make you a high-risk driver and what you can expect to pay for car insurance.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Alabama, AL is $2,884

Show Graph View

Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
Travelers	$1,428	$2,078
State Farm	$1,790	$2,151
USAA	$1,458	$2,210
Nationwide	$1,345	$2,235
Auto-Owners	$2,134	$2,696
GEICO	$1,625	$2,845
Allstate	$2,178	$3,379
Progressive	$2,402	$3,944
Farmers	$2,542	$4,269

Read our methodology

Average annual rate

People ask

Who is considered a high-risk driver in Alabama?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in Alabama after a DUI?

State Farm offers the cheapest average rates after a DUI in Alabama at $1,934 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that damages your driving record. It can raise auto insurance premiums for nearly 10 years, on top of fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs drive rates even higher, but consistent safe driving over time can gradually lead to lower premiums.

The table below compares average car insurance premiums in Alabama for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
State Farm	$1,790	$1,934
Travelers	$1,428	$2,166
Nationwide	$1,345	$2,825
Progressive	$2,402	$2,880
Allstate	$2,178	$2,899
GEICO	$1,625	$3,498
Auto-Owners	$2,134	$3,981
Farmers	$2,542	$5,293
USAA	$1,458	$3,093

Read our methodology

What is the cheapest car insurance in Alabama with multiple tickets?

State Farm offers the lowest average rates for drivers with multiple traffic tickets at $1,934 annually or $161 monthly.

One ticket will affect car insurance rates, but multiple tickets will increase rates by a lot more. Repeated failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws means insurers are more likely to pay claims because of your risky driving.

This table shows Alabama drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
State Farm	$1,790	$1,934
Travelers	$1,428	$2,002
Nationwide	$1,345	$2,074
Allstate	$2,178	$2,414
Auto-Owners	$2,134	$2,726
GEICO	$1,625	$3,005
Progressive	$2,402	$3,065
Farmers	$2,542	$4,030
USAA	$1,458	$1,685

Read our methodology

Expert's Insight Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in Alabama?

State Farm provides the cheapest average reckless driving insurance rates in Alabama at $1,934 per year.

If you engage in hazardous driving behaviors that endanger others, you may be charged with reckless driving. A reckless driving conviction will increase your car insurance rates.

The table below shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record vs. drivers with a reckless driving conviction.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
State Farm	$1,790	$1,934
Travelers	$1,428	$2,166
Nationwide	$1,345	$2,825
Allstate	$2,178	$2,899
Progressive	$2,402	$3,406
GEICO	$1,625	$3,498
Auto-Owners	$2,134	$3,981
Farmers	$2,542	$5,548
USAA	$1,458	$2,224

Read our methodology

Expert's Insight A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Alabama?

Nationwide has the cheapest average rates for drivers with poor credit in Alabama at $2,039 annually or $170 monthly.

Your credit score may affect your insurance rates, even though it is unrelated to your driving skills. Insurers often charge higher premiums to drivers with lower credit scores because they are statistically more likely to file claims.

Check the table below to see how credit scores impact car insurance costs in Alabama.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
Nationwide	$1,345	$2,039
Travelers	$1,428	$2,355
GEICO	$1,625	$2,505
Allstate	$2,178	$3,639
Progressive	$2,402	$4,003
Farmers	$2,542	$5,341
Auto-Owners	$2,134	$5,991
State Farm	$1,790	$6,811
USAA	$1,458	$2,721

Read our methodology

What company has the cheapest car insurance in Alabama after an accident?

Travelers has the cheapest average rates after an accident at $2,026 per year. State Farm also offers lower-than-average rates at $2,151 annually.

Drivers with accidents on their record typically pay higher insurance rates than those with a clean record. While car insurance rates may increase after one accident, multiple accidents can increase rates even more.

This table shows rates for drivers with a clean record, one at-fault accident and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
Travelers	$1,428	$2,026	$2,575
State Farm	$1,790	$2,151	$2,151
Nationwide	$1,345	$2,235	$2,979
Auto-Owners	$2,134	$2,696	$3,183
GEICO	$1,625	$2,845	$4,528
Allstate	$2,178	$3,379	$4,416
Progressive	$2,402	$3,944	$5,493
Farmers	$2,542	$4,269	$5,783
USAA	$1,458	$2,210	$4,143

Read our methodology

Expert's Insight Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city is the cheapest for high-risk car insurance in Alabama?

Decatur has the cheapest average high-risk car insurance rates in Alabama at $2,809 annually. In comparison, Birmingham has the highest average premiums at $3,364 per year.

Where you live in Alabama matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood of claims.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Decatur	$1,700	$2,809
Florence	$1,699	$2,820
Groveoak	$1,752	$2,872
Anniston	$1,797	$2,968
Alpine	$1,818	$2,985
Cropwell	$1,801	$2,986
La Fayette	$1,828	$3,008
Montgomery	$1,926	$3,111
Mobile	$2,009	$3,276
Bessemer	$1,996	$3,285
Birmingham	$2,040	$3,364

Read our methodology

How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in Alabama?

High-risk drivers in Alabama can find lower rates by shopping around, avoiding further violations and taking a defensive driving course. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

People ask

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in Alabama?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in Alabamadepends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

What are Alabama's insurance requirements for high-risk drivers?

If you're a high-risk driver in Alabama, you might need to file an SR-22. This is a form that your car insurance company sends in to show you have the required minimum insurance coverage. The court will let you know how long you need to keep the SR-22.

An SR-22 isn't a type of insurance; it's just a form. You don't need special coverage, but your rates might be higher because you're considered high-risk. Also, not all insurance companies offer coverage for high-risk drivers or handle SR-22 filings.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Our data is then adjusted to reflect the rate increase from this base rate for the following infractions and issue:

DUI
Reckless driving
Multiple speeding tickets
Bad credit
One at-fault accident over $2,000

FAQ: High-risk car insurance in Alabama

Can high-risk drivers get full coverage car insurance in Alabama?

Yes, you can get full coverage insurance as a high-risk driver. However, you can expect it to cost a lot more than liability-only coverage.

Does an SR-22 automatically make your insurance more expensive in Alabama?

Not directly. It's the reason you need an SR-22 that will cause the rate increase. An SR-22 is the form the insurance company has to file with the state, and by itself, it doesn't increase your rates.