By the Five Star Insurance Reviews editorial team · Updated October 13, 2026

High Risk Car Insurance: What It Means and How to Compare

High risk car insurance is coverage for drivers insurers see as more likely to file claims. Here is what it means, what an SR-22 is and how to improve your options.

What high risk car insurance means

High risk car insurance is coverage for drivers whom insurers consider more likely to file a claim. It is not a special kind of policy. It is the same liability, collision and comprehensive coverage, priced and underwritten differently because of the driver’s record.

Many standard insurers will still cover some higher-risk drivers, at higher prices. Others decline them, and those drivers turn to non-standard insurers that specialize in this market.

Being labeled high risk is not permanent. Insurers look at your recent history, and most drivers move out of the category as violations age.

What can make you a high-risk driver

• Serious violations such as driving under the influence or reckless driving.
• One or more at-fault accidents.
• Several tickets in a short period.
• A lapse in coverage.
• A suspended license or an SR-22 requirement.
• A limited driving history, which can include very new drivers.

Each insurer defines risk in its own way, so a driver one company treats as high risk may be acceptable to another.

How high risk car insurance works

Standard insurers price policies using your record, claims history and other factors. When the risk looks high, they may add surcharges, offer fewer discounts or decline to cover you.

Non-standard insurers focus on drivers who need a second look. Their prices are often higher, but they accept applicants that others turn down. Many states also operate assigned-risk plans for drivers who cannot find coverage in the regular market.

Our review of The General covers one carrier that specializes in this group.

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is not insurance. It is a certificate your insurer files with the state to prove that you carry the minimum required coverage. A court or the state may require it after certain violations, such as a DUI or driving without insurance.

The requirement usually lasts for a set period, often around three years, though it varies by state. If your coverage lapses during that time, the insurer must notify the state, which can lead to a license suspension.

A few states, including Florida and Virginia, use a different form called an FR-44 for certain violations. Not every insurer files these forms, so ask before you apply.

Why high risk car insurance costs more

Insurance prices follow risk. A record with violations or claims suggests a higher chance of future claims, so insurers charge more to cover that risk. High risk car insurance also tends to come with fewer discounts.

The difference can be large, and it varies widely by insurer. That is why comparing quotes matters more here than almost anywhere else.

How to get high risk car insurance

• Gather your driver’s license number, vehicle details and any SR-22 or court paperwork.
• Ask each insurer whether it accepts your situation and whether it files the form you need.
• Request quotes from standard and non-standard insurers using the same coverage limits.
• Compare total cost, including fees and down payments.
• Make sure coverage starts before your old policy ends so you do not have a lapse.

Ways to lower the cost of high risk car insurance

• Compare at least three insurers, and shop again at every renewal.
• Take a defensive driving course if your state allows it and the insurer gives credit.
• Ask about every discount you might still qualify for. Our list of discounts shows what to ask.
• Choose a deductible you can afford. Our deductible calculator shows the trade-off.
• Consider a car that costs less to insure.
• Be careful with usage-based programs, which may raise rates depending on how you drive.

Keep continuous coverage

A lapse in coverage can raise your price and, if you have an SR-22, trigger state penalties. Set up reminders or automatic payments, and start a new policy before the old one ends.

Continuous coverage is one of the strongest signals you can send. It shows insurers that you take your obligations seriously, and it helps you leave the high-risk category sooner.

How long you may stay in the high-risk category

Most violations and accidents influence pricing for a few years, and many insurers look back three to five years. The time varies by company and state.

As the record ages and you drive without new problems, your options widen. Ask your insurer to re-rate you when a violation drops off, and compare quotes at every renewal.

Rebuilding your record and your options

The most dependable path to lower prices is time without new problems. Keep your coverage continuous, avoid violations and accidents, and complete any court-ordered requirements.

Save proof of completed courses and filings. When violations age off your record, ask your insurer to re-rate you, and compare quotes from other companies. Many drivers move back to standard insurers within a few years.

Common mistakes with high risk car insurance

• Letting coverage lapse.
• Skipping quotes from non-standard insurers.
• Not asking whether the insurer files an SR-22.
• Choosing a policy only for the lowest monthly price without checking the total cost.
• Comparing quotes with different limits.

Questions to ask when shopping for high risk car insurance

• Do you cover drivers with my record, and do you file an SR-22 or FR-44?
• What are the fees and down payment?
• How does the price change at renewal?
• Which discounts are still available to me?
• Is the policy term six months or twelve?

A quick checklist

Confirm whether you need an SR-22, ask each insurer about eligibility and fees, compare quotes with identical coverage and set reminders so coverage never lapses. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Insurance Information Institute explain these terms, and your state motor vehicle agency can tell you about local requirements.

FAQs

General information, not insurance advice. Coverage and rules vary by state and policy.

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