Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Texas

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

Nationwide offers the cheapest average rate in Texas for drivers with a poor driving record at $2,124 per year. GEICO and Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) also rank among the more affordable insurers for high-risk drivers.

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.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual 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

Read our methodology

How much is high-risk car insurance in Texas?

The average cost of high-risk car insurance in Texas is $3,233 annually. However, some insurers offer rates far below the state average, with premiums starting around $2,124 per year.

Not every high-risk factor affects premiums equally. A single speeding ticket may cause only a moderate increase, while multiple violations, at-fault accidents or poor credit can raise rates substantially.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Texas, TX is $3,457

Show Graph View

Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual 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

Read our methodology

Average annual rate

People ask

Who is considered a high-risk driver 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.

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

GEICO offers the cheapest average rates after a DUI in Texas at $2,854 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 Texas for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual 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

Read our methodology

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

Nationwide offers the lowest average rates for drivers with multiple traffic tickets at $1,832 annually or $153 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 Texas drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual 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

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 Texas?

Nationwide provides the cheapest average reckless driving insurance rates in Texas at $1,832 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
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

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 Texas?

Nationwide has the cheapest average rates for drivers with poor credit in Texas at $2,089 annually or $174 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 Texas.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual 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

Read our methodology

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

State Farm has the cheapest average post-accident insurance rates in Texas at $2,270 per year. GEICO also offers below-average rates after an at-fault crash.

Drivers with accidents on their driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.

This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving 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
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

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 Texas?

Bowie has the cheapest average high-risk car insurance rates in Texas at $2,889 annually. In comparison, Houston has the highest average premiums at $3,667 per year.

Where you live in Texas 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
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

Read our methodology

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

High-risk drivers in Texas can reduce insurance costs by comparing quotes and avoiding additional violations. Many insurers reward safer driving habits over time with lower premiums.

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.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for completing the class, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing it.
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 are considered a high-risk driver in Texas depends 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 Texas's insurance requirements 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.

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 Texas

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

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 Texas?

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.