Last reviewed: October 2026 · By the SmartCoverage Editorial Team · How we research
Insurers treat you as high risk when something on your record suggests you are more likely to claim: a DUI, an at-fault accident, several tickets, a lapse in coverage, or being a young driver with a violation. The best company for you depends on which of these applies, because insurers penalize each one very differently. Here is where to start for each situation, and how long you will be paying for it.
Where to start, by situation
The gaps are large. A State Farm customer with an accident paid about $92 a month less than the average in ValuePenguin’s data, and Progressive was about $123 a month below average after a DUI. The same companies are not the cheapest for every problem: Progressive is one of the more expensive options after an accident, and State Farm one of the most expensive after a DUI, as our GEICO vs Progressive vs State Farm comparison shows.
How much each violation costs
For the same 30-year-old driver in Pennsylvania with good credit, paying $181 a month for full coverage with a clean record, ValuePenguin found these increases:
- Speeding ticket: $225 a month (+24%)
- At-fault accident: $231 (+28%)
- Reckless driving: $286 (+58%)
- DUI: $292 (+61%)
These figures are for one state. National averages are higher for accidents: across the country, one at-fault accident raises prices by around 55% to 64%, as we explain in how much car insurance goes up after an accident.
How long you will be high risk
The good news is that it is temporary. A speeding ticket usually affects your price for about three years, an at-fault accident for three to five, and a DUI for at least three, while it often stays on your driving record for seven. Use the countdown to see your own dates:
Clean-record countdown
Add the tickets, accidents or DUI on your record and when they happened. The timeline shows roughly when each one should stop pushing up your price, and when you could be shopping as a standard driver again.
Typical periods: a speeding ticket about three years; an at-fault accident three to five years; a DUI at least three years, and it stays on the driving record for seven years in many states. Your insurer and state set the exact rules, so ask each company how far back it looks. Results are estimates only.
If the big insurers turn you down
Being refused by one company does not mean you are uninsurable. Work down this ladder:
Every state has a plan of last resort for drivers who cannot find coverage in the normal market. In California, for example, the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan places drivers who cannot get liability insurance through ordinary channels with an insurer, at rates approved by the state. You apply through a licensed agent, and the plan expects you to try the regular market first.
If a court or your state DMV requires proof of insurance after a DUI or a serious violation, you will also need an SR-22 filing. Our SR-22 guide explains what it is and how to get one.
How to bring the price down while you wait
- Shop again at every renewal, and especially right after an incident turns three years old. Our quote comparison guide shows how to compare like for like.
- Take a defensive driving course. In some states it can remove points from your record or earn a discount.
- Try a usage-based program if you drive safely now. Your current driving can count for more than your past record.
- Review your coverage. Higher deductibles, or dropping collision on an older car, can offset part of the surcharge.
- Never let your coverage lapse. A gap in insurance is itself a high-risk factor and can raise your price for years.
Frequently asked questions
Can an insurance company refuse to cover me?
Yes. Private insurers can decline drivers they consider too risky, or offer only basic coverage. That is why every state has a plan of last resort, which guarantees access to at least liability insurance for drivers who cannot find it elsewhere.
If I switch insurers, does my record follow me?
Yes. Insurers check your state driving record and shared claims databases before they finalize a price, typically looking back at least three years. Switching does not erase a ticket or an accident, but it can move you to a company that penalizes it less.
Are young drivers considered high risk?
Young drivers pay more because of their age, even with a clean record, and a ticket or accident on top raises the price sharply. Our guide to cheap car insurance for young drivers covers the options for drivers under 25.
Sources
- ValuePenguin: Best cheap car insurance with a bad driving record (updated September 25, 2026)
- ValuePenguin: Car insurance rate increases with a speeding ticket (updated June 30, 2026)
- Experian: How long does a DUI affect car insurance?
- AIPSO: California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not insurance or legal advice. How long violations affect your price, and which insurers will cover you, depend on your state and the company. Confirm details with insurers or a licensed agent.