If you’ve been labeled a high-risk driver, finding cheap full coverage car insurance for high-risk drivers can feel like pulling teeth. Maybe you’ve had some accidents, a lapse in coverage, or a credit score that’s seen better days—whatever the reason, insurers tend to crank up the rates.

Full coverage—meaning both collision and comprehensive—doesn’t come cheap to begin with. And for drivers with a rough track record? It gets worse. But here’s the good news: with a little effort, you can still score a decent deal.

You just have to be smart about it. Compare quotes. Take your time. Dig around. Some insurers are more forgiving than others, and the price differences can be huge. In this article, we’ll break down ways high-risk drivers can save and highlight companies that offer some of the lowest rates.

How Much Does Full Coverage Cost for Risky Drivers

If your driving record’s a bit rough—say you’ve got bad credit and one violation—insurance costs can jump fast. Here’s what full coverage could cost a high-risk driver, based on a 30-year-old guy with those exact issues. The policy has 100/300/100 coverage and a $500 deductible.

As you can see, prices bounce all over the place. Some big names like American Family and Geico keep it somewhat cheaper, while companies that handle more risky drivers—like The General—can cost way more.

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Who Offers the Cheapest Car Insurance for Risky Drivers?

If you’ve got tickets, accidents, or a DUI, big-name insurance companies might charge you a lot. But there are smaller, lesser-known options that focus on individuals with messy records, and their rates can be way lower.

Here are some options to check out:

• Direct Auto – Offers monthly plans and covers high-risk drivers.
  
• The General – Often insures people that other companies turn away.
  
• Stillwater Insurance – Keeps it simple with minimum coverage.
  
• GAINSCO – Good rates for people with DUIs or crashes.
  
• Infinity Auto Insurance – Known for affordable prices for riskier drivers.
  
• Highpoint Insurance – Covers those with tickets, wrecks, or DUIs.
  
• Freeway Insurance – Low upfront payments, flexible plans.
  
• Power of My People – Non-standard insurer with plans starting at $29/month.

Best move? Compare quotes from both big and small insurers. You might be surprised—sometimes the little guys give the best deals.

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What Raises Car Insurance Costs for Risky Drivers?

Let’s be real—insurance companies hate taking big risks. If they think you’re more likely to file a claim, they’ll make you pay for it (literally). But what exactly makes them slap you with those sky-high rates? A few key things:

• Your driving record – Got accidents, DUIs, or a collection of speeding tickets? Insurers see you as a walking red flag.
• Your credit score – Yep, they check this too. Bad credit can tack on an extra $2,000 (or more) per year. Ouch.
• How often you file claims – Keep making claims? They might even drop you altogether.

The silver lining? Those price hikes don’t last forever, and some insurers actually specialize in covering drivers with messy records. So if you’re in a rough spot, don’t panic—you’ve still got options.

Your Driving Record Matters Most

 Insurance companies look hard at your past behind the wheel. If you’ve been in accidents that were your fault, got a DUI, drove recklessly, or collected speeding tickets like baseball cards, expect to pay way more.

Even one DUI can jack up your yearly insurance bill by 50%—sometimes even triple it.

If you crashed and hurt someone or messed up a car badly, you might pay $500 more each year. Stack a few of these issues together, and your label as a “risky driver” gets bolder.

Stuff like this sticks around, too. Big violations stay on your record for about 3 years. Smaller tickets usually disappear after 3 to 5 years. The newer the mess-up, the more it stings your wallet.

Want Cheaper Coverage? Stay clean. No tickets. No crashes. No claims. That’s your best shot.

But if you’ve already slipped up, look for insurance companies that are willing to give folks like you another shot. Some do.

How Does a Driver’s Credit Score Affect Rates?

Insurance companies look at your credit score to figure out how risky you might be as a driver. They don’t use the exact score lenders see, but instead pull details from your credit report to make a special score just for insurance. If your credit looks rough, they think you’re more likely to file a claim, and they’ll charge you more.

Here’s what matters most in your credit when they do this:

• How many credit cards and loans you have open
• How much money you still owe
• How long you’ve had credit
• If you’ve missed any payments
• If you’ve got any debts sent to collections
• If you’ve filed for bankruptcy

How Much Impact does your Credit Score have on Insurance Rates?

If your score is under 600, you could end up paying about 67% more than someone with a score over 800. That’s a big jump.

Here’s a real example: A 25-year-old with bad credit might get charged $4,300 a year for full coverage. But if their credit was excellent, they’d pay just $2,300 for the same thing. That’s a $2,000 difference.

Even if you don’t hit perfect credit, moving from poor to average could still save you $500 to $1,000 every year. So if your credit’s not great, working on it could cut your insurance costs a lot.

Impact of Accident Claims

If you cause a car accident and your insurance has to pay out, your premium will probably go up when it’s time to renew. Insurance companies see drivers who cause crashes as risky, so they charge more. But how much more? That depends on a few things:

• How many accidents you’ve had – The more claims, the bigger the jump. If you’ve had 3 or more in a few years, some companies might even cancel your policy.
• How bad was the accident – A big wreck with injuries or lawsuits? That’ll hurt your wallet more than a small bump.
• How close together your accidents are – Two crashes a month apart? That’s worse than two accidents spread out over five years.
• Your past driving record – If you’ve been clean before, the rate hike might be smaller. But if you’ve had trouble before, expect a bigger jump.

Say you crash and your insurer pays out $10,000. That alone could push your premium up by 40% to 50%. So if you were paying $2,000 a year, it could jump to $3,000. And that higher rate? It sticks around for 3 to 5 years until the accident drops off your record.

How to Keep Your Insurance from Jumping After a Crash

The best way to stop your rates from going way up? Keep the claim amount low—or skip it, if you can.

• Pay out-of-pocket if the damage is small and you can afford it.
• Talk down the costs—try to get repairs and other payments as low as possible.
• Don’t rack up extra medical bills unless you really need them.

If you’re hurt, get treated—no question. But some doctors or clinics might charge more than needed. Before agreeing to anything, ask about the cost and whether you really need it. Keeping the bill lower can keep your insurance from exploding.

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How to Cut Insurance Costs When You’re Tagged as High-Risk

Here’s how to lower your car insurance bill if you’re stuck with the high-risk label:

• Shop around—like, a lot. Get quotes from at least 10 companies. Same coverage, same deductibles. Prices can be all over the place.
• Raise your deductible. Go from $500 to $1,000 and you might save 15% or more. But make sure you’ve got cash saved in case you need to pay that higher amount.
• Hunt for discounts. Things like bundling policies, getting good grades, or taking a safe-driving course can knock your price down.
• Work on your credit. Bad credit = higher insurance rates. A better score could save you serious money.
• Got an old car? You might not need full coverage. Drop collision and comprehensive if your ride’s not worth much anymore.
• Re-check prices every 6 months. Insurance rates change. Don’t stay stuck with an overpriced plan.
• Try usage-based insurance. Some companies track your driving. If you’re careful, you pay less.
• Take a defensive driving course. It shows you’re serious about safety—and insurers like that.
• See if you can join a family member’s plan. Young drivers often save a lot this way.
• Never let your coverage lapse. Even a short gap can make your next rate skyrocket. Keep it active.

Bundling Home and Auto For Added Savings

One smart way for drivers with a few marks on their record to save money is by bundling their home and auto insurance with the same company. A lot of insurers that offer both types of coverage will give you a pretty good discount when you combine them.

These bundle savings usually fall somewhere between 10% and 30% off your total bill. That kind of break can make a big difference, especially if you’ve got a full-coverage auto policy, which tends to be more expensive. Even a smaller discount, say 15%, would still save you around $375 a year on a $2,500 policy.

Some big-name insurers like State Farm, Allstate, and Farmers are known for offering especially solid bundle deals. What’s helpful is that even if you’re considered a high-risk driver, you can still qualify for these savings through the auto policy, as long as you can also get the home or renter’s insurance with them.

“So, if you’re looking to cut costs without losing coverage, bundling your home and auto with the same insurer can be a smart move. “

Just make sure to shop around and compare quotes so you know you’re actually getting the best deal out there.

Maximizing Savings by Comparing Quotes  

When insurance prices seem way too high, here’s the best thing you can do: start comparing quotes from as many companies as you can find. For folks with a messy driving record, prices can swing wildly between insurers, so checking around really does make a difference.

Every insurance company looks at risk a bit differently. That means no one company is going to be the cheapest for everyone. Some might hike up your rate over one ticket, while others might not care as much. That’s why it helps to check quotes from all kinds—big national names, smaller regional ones, and even those that specialize in high-risk drivers.

Just make sure you’re asking for the same coverage details—same limits, same deductibles, all that—when getting each quote. That way, you’re comparing things fairly and not getting tricked by a lower price that comes with way less coverage.

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Important Tips for the Quoting Process

When you’re shopping around for cheap full coverage car insurance for high-risk drivers, here are a few things to keep in mind. So, don’t mess up your chances at a good rate:

• First off, be honest and thorough. Give the full picture—your age, driving history, car details, how much you drive, where you live—everything they ask. If something’s missing or wrong, it could mess with your quote or even bump your rate.
• Always use the same coverage limits and deductibles when you’re comparing. That includes extras like uninsured motorist coverage, roadside help, or rental car reimbursement. You want to line things up exactly so you’re not comparing totally different plans.
• Don’t just rely on online quotes, either. Try calling or visiting a few local independent agents. They can check prices from a bunch of companies all at once, which saves you time and might get you a better deal.
• Ask about every discount they offer—safe driver, low mileage, paperless billing, whatever’s available. These little things can really add up.
• If you own a home, think about bundling your home and auto policies. It often knocks a good chunk off your total bill.
• Finally, check back every six months or so. Insurers change their prices all the time, and the best deal today might not be the best one down the road.

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When You Get Stuck with Higher Rates

If you’ve got a risky driving history, be ready—some frustrating things can happen when you’re hunting for cheap full coverage car insurance for high-risk drivers. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Big rate hikes at renewal time – After a ticket, accident, or claim, it’s not unusual for your premium to shoot up—sometimes 25% or more—when your policy renews. It can feel like a slap in the face.
• Non-renewal after serious driving violations – Some insurers won’t stick around if you get hit with something major, like a DUI. They’ll drop you, and then you’re scrambling to find a new policy—usually at a much higher price.
• Rate spikes after they take a closer look – If the company goes back and reviews your application more closely—especially if they catch something you didn’t mention or sugarcoated—they might jack up your rate. Honesty matters here.
• Higher prices if your coverage lapses – If you go without insurance, even for a short time, insurers see you as a bigger risk. Expect to pay a lot more to get back on a policy.

So, how do you protect yourself? Keep an eye out for any letters or emails from your insurer. If they’re raising your rates or dropping you, don’t wait—start comparing quotes from other companies right away. And when you apply, be upfront about everything so you get an accurate quote from the start.

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Final Thoughts on Finding Cheap Full Coverage Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers

“Yeah, you’re probably going to pay more than someone with a clean record—but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck forever.”

You can improve your situation. Over time, as you drive safely and stay covered, your rates can drop. In the meantime, compare a bunch of quotes—10 or more, if you can. Prices can vary wildly from one company to another.

Want to cut costs fast? Raise your deductible, and grab every discount you qualify for.

It takes a little work, but if you’re smart about it, you can find solid coverage at a price you can actually afford.