Getting Car Insurance with a Suspended License
Best cheap suspended license car insurance
Can you get car insurance with a suspended license?
You can get car insurance with a suspended license, but it may be difficult to find. Some companies don’t insure drivers with a suspended license. Those that do tend to charge high rates.
Cheapest car insurance for a suspended license
Key insight
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for suspended license after a major violation like a DUI (driving under the influence). It charges an average of $100 a month for minimum coverage
Cheap insurance for a major license suspension
| Company | Monthly liability | Monthly full coverage | LendingTree score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Progressive | $100 | $269 |  |
 | State Farm | $159 | $406 |  |
 | Geico | $165 | $397 |  |
 | Travelers | $172 | $362 | |
 | Farmers | $188 | $409 |  |
 | Nationwide | $229 | $547 | |
 | Allstate | $291 | $635 | |
 | USAA* | $132 | $376 | |
Besides your driving record, your location and vehicle also affect your car insurance rate. In most states, your credit does, too.
Each company treats these factors differently, so it’s wise to compare car insurance quotes from a few companies to find the cheapest rate.
Cheapest car insurance for a minor violation suspension
Progressive and State Farm have the cheapest auto insurance for minor suspension violations, such as driving without the minimum coverage or with a suspended license.
After suspension for an insurance violation, Progressive has the cheapest liability-only insurance at $96 a month, and State Farm has the cheapest full coverage at $241 a month.
Of the two, Progressive is the better choice if you need gap insurance
Cheap insurance for suspension after driving without insurance
| Monthly liability | Monthly full coverage | |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $96 | $265 |
| State Farm | $102 | $241 |
| Geico | $106 | $265 |
| Nationwide | $130 | $311 |
| Travelers | $131 | $273 |
| Farmers | $159 | $338 |
| Allstate | $186 | $369 |
| USAA* | $70 | $194 |
How to get car insurance with a suspended license
Finding car insurance may take longer than usual with a suspended license. You might get classified as a non-standard driver, or high risk. Some companies don’t insure non-standard drivers, so you may have to contact more companies than normal for quotes.
You can make the shopping process easier by doing the following:
Mention SR-22 or FR-44 requirements upfront
SR-22s and FR-44s are certificates that show you have enough insurance to drive legally. Most states make you get one to reinstate your license after a DUI or other major violation. Insurance companies usually send your certificate to the state when you buy your policy.
Some insurance companies don’t insure drivers with an SR-22 or FR-44 requirement. This makes it good to be upfront about any filing requirements you may have. If a company won’t insure you, you can quickly move on to the next one.
Consider non-standard car insurance
Non-standard car insurance companies specialize in insurance for high-risk drivers. They tend to charge higher rates than standard insurance companies. A non-standard company may be your best bet while your license is suspended.
Some of the better-known non-standard insurance companies include:
- Bristol West
- Dairyland
- The General
- Kemper
Avoiding tickets and accidents can help you get cheaper standard insurance again in the future.
Get a restricted driver’s license
A restricted license restores your legal right to drive. This can help you get insurance from more companies than you can with a suspended license.
Many states offer restricted driver’s licenses. These usually let you drive for essential activities such as work, school and medical appointments. You usually need an SR-22 for a restricted license, but the requirements vary by state.
Consider non-owner car insurance
If you don’t own a car, non-owner car insurance can help you get your driver’s license back. A non-owners policy gives you extra coverage in cars that you borrow or rent. This helps meet your legal requirements for reinstating your driver’s license.
Will my insurance rates go up with a suspended license?
A license suspension will usually make your car insurance rate go up. The exact amount of the increase depends on the offense that led to the suspension.
For example, a major violation can nearly double the average cost of full coverage, compared to clean record quotes. On the other hand, a minor violation only increases average rates by 30%.
Insurance rate hikes with a suspended license
| Monthly full coverage | Difference vs. clean record | |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $216 | Not applicable |
| Minor violation | $282 | +30% |
| Major violation | $425 | +97% |
Should I cancel my car insurance after a license suspension?
It’s usually good to avoid canceling your car insurance after a license suspension. Keeping your insurance active helps you:
- Avoid coverage gaps: Insurance companies consider you riskier if you’ve been uninsured in the recent past. A gap in coverage can leave you with higher rates when you buy insurance again in the future.
- Meet your loan requirements: Lenders usually make you keep your car insured to protect their interest in your vehicle. Leased vehicles have similar insurance requirements.
Unfortunately, your insurance companies may cancel your policy after a license suspension. If this happens to you, look for a new insurer.
On the other hand, it may make sense to cancel or reduce your insurance if you put your vehicle in storage during your license suspension. The requirements for storing a vehicle vary by state. Some states make you turn in the vehicle’s license plates.
Many insurance companies also offer comprehensive
Frequently asked questions
No. It is illegal to drive without insurance in every state except New Hampshire. The penalties for driving without insurance usually include fines and a suspension of your vehicle’s registration.
Yes. Insurance companies usually check your driving record when they issue your policy and before each renewal. These records usually show recent violations and your license status.
Methodology
How we got car insurance rates for drivers with a suspended license
LendingTree uses insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services using publicly sourced insurance company filings. Rates are based on an analysis of car insurance quotes for typical drivers in California, Georgia and Washington state.
Major violation quotes are for drivers with a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI). Minor violation rates are for driving with proper insurance coverage. Prices are shown for comparative purposes only. Your own rates may be different.
Unless noted otherwise, quotes are for a full coverage policy for a 30-year-old man with good credit who drives a 2018 Honda CR-V EX.
Coverage limits
Minimum-liability policies provide liability coverage with each state’s required minimum limits.
Full coverage policies include collision, comprehensive and liability coverage:
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000
- Uninsured / underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Collision: $500 deductible
- Comprehensive: $500 deductible
How we evaluated car insurance companies
Our team of insurance experts rated insurance companies based on several categories. These categories include average rates, discounts, coverage options, third-party customer service ratings and app/website experience. We weighted these categories based on what customers value in an insurance company.
For third-party customer service ratings, we included Complaint Index scores from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and financial strength ratings from AM Best. NAIC Complaint Index scores are used to determine how satisfied customers are with their claims, while financial strength ratings from AM Best reflect the ability to pay out claims.
Read our full editorial guidelines here.