Cheapest car insurance in Texas for a bad driving record

Nationwide, Geico, Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) offers affordable car insurance for high-risk drivers with bad driving record in Texas.

Having accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, will make you pay more for insurance. Most tickets will affect your rates for three to five years. A DUI can affect your rates for up to 10 years and can stay on your record for life.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for high-risk driver
Nationwide$1,502$2,124
Geico$1,644$2,975
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$1,983$3,074
Progressive$3,032$4,260
Allstate$2,941$4,613
State Farm$1,956$5,699
Farmers$4,127$6,461
USAA$1,812$2,496
Data updated in 2024

How much is high-risk car insurance in Texas?

A bad driving record or low credit score can significantly increase rates. While high-risk car insurance averages $3,233 in Texas, you can find rates as low as $2,124 from Nationwide.

Although you may be labeled high-risk for many reasons, some factors raise rates more than others. For example, multiple speeding tickets may significantly raise car insurance rates, but so can a single ticket for excessive speed in a school zone.

Keep reading as we break down high-risk car insurance factors and rates.

Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its
average annual full coverage rates.

Texas
State
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington, D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
*Please select from the list
At-fault bodily injury accident
Risk Factor
1 At-fault property damage accident over 2K1 At-fault property damage accident under 2K1 comprehensive claim for over 2k1 comprehensive claim for under 2k2 At-fault property damage accident over 2k2 comprehensive claims for over 2k2 speeding tickets 11 mph or overAt-fault bodily injury accidentCareless drivingDUI/DWI first offenseDUI/DWI second offenseDistracted driving ticketDriving without a license or permitDriving without insuranceFailure to stopFailure to yieldFair creditFollowing too closelyHit and run - injuryHit and run - property damageImproper turnImproper/illegal passLapse of coverage for 7 daysLapse of coverage for 7 to 30 daysLapse of coverage for over 30 daysOperating a vehicle in a race (highway racing)Passing stopped school busPoor creditReckless drivingSR22 Filing OnlySR22 with 1 DUISeatbelt infractionSingle vehicle accident (so the drivers car only)Speeding 30+ over limitSpeeding ticket 1-10 MPH over limitSpeeding ticket 11-29 MPH over limitTalking on cellphone ticketTexting ticket
*Please select from the list
Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Texas, TX is $3,457
Show Graph View
CompanyAnnual premium for clean recordAnnual premium after violation
State Farm$1,956$2,270
Geico$1,644$2,565
Nationwide$1,502$2,575
USAA$1,812$2,889
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$1,983$3,238
Allstate$2,941$4,638
Progressive$3,032$4,742
Farmers$4,127$7,983
Data updated in 2024
Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered high-risk for insurance in Texas?

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.

Cheapest car insurance in Texas with a DUI

While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, Geico has the lowest rate at $2,854.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. a DUI in Texas.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for a DUI
Geico$1,644$2,854
State Farm$1,956$3,054
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$1,983$3,274
Nationwide$1,502$3,331
Progressive$3,032$3,565
Allstate$2,941$4,611
Farmers$4,127$6,828
USAA$1,812$2,738
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Texas with multiple tickets

Nationwide is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with multiple traffic tickets, with rates averaging $1,832 or $153.

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 Texas drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium with a speeding ticket
Nationwide$1,502$1,832
Geico$1,644$2,559
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$1,983$2,938
Progressive$3,032$4,103
Farmers$4,127$5,854
USAA$1,812$2,052
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Texas with a reckless driving conviction

Nationwide offers the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $1,832.

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for reckless driving
Nationwide$1,502$1,832
Geico$1,644$2,854
State Farm$1,956$3,054
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$1,983$3,274
Progressive$3,032$4,451
Allstate$2,941$4,611
Farmers$4,127$6,549
USAA$1,812$2,738
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Texas with bad credit

Nationwide offers the cheapest rates for drivers with poor credit at $2,089 or $174. However,drivers with bad credit can still find affordable auto insurance.

Although unrelated to your performance behind the wheel, your credit score also impacts car insurance rates and can put you in the high-risk category. To an insurance company, high-risk means more likely to file 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., and statistically, drivers with a low credit score fit that description.

Check out the table below to see how your credit score affects Texas car insurance.

CompanyAnnual premium for good creditAnnual premium for bad credit
Nationwide$1,502$2,089
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$1,983$3,081
Geico$1,644$4,469
Allstate$2,941$4,615
Progressive$3,032$5,239
Farmers$4,127$7,202
State Farm$1,956$10,987
USAA$1,812$3,342
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Texas

State Farm and Geico have the lowest car insurance rates after an accident at $2,270 and $2,565, respectively.

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for one at-fault accidentAnnual premium for multiple accident
State Farm$1,956$2,270$2,661
Geico$1,644$2,565$3,574
Nationwide$1,502$2,575$3,527
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$1,983$3,238$4,413
Allstate$2,941$4,638$5,943
Progressive$3,032$4,742$6,257
Farmers$4,127$8,129$12,850
USAA$1,812$2,889$5,001
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Texas by city

Bowie has the cheapest car insurance rates in Texas at $2,889. But the most expensive city is Houston with rates of $3,667.

Your location in Texas also matters. For example, if you live in an area with heavy traffic or a high vehicle theft rate, rates will reflect the increased chance of claims.

CityAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for high-risk driver
Bowie$1,831$2,889
Frisco$1,909$3,034
Crystal City$1,950$3,037
Bishop$1,925$3,051
Austin$1,930$3,058
Zavalla$1,949$3,088
Higgins$2,004$3,117
Plano$1,994$3,169
Fort Worth$2,030$3,212
Cypress$2,062$3,262
Kermit$2,093$3,265
Irving$2,153$3,401
Beaumont$2,149$3,425
San Antonio$2,181$3,466
Dallas$2,278$3,601
Houston$2,317$3,667
Data updated in 2024

How to reduce car insurance rates in Texas for a bad driving record

Finding affordable car insurance in Texas is possible, even with a bad driving record. 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 Texas?

Three years is common, but how long you're seen as a high-risk driver in Texas depends on the rules of your insurance company. The state decides how long a violation stays on your driving record, but your insurance company decides how long they'll charge you for it.

Texas car insurance laws for high-risk drivers

If you're a high-risk driver in Texas, 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.

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