Insuring a vehicle can be costly for high-risk drivers in California. Statewide, the average cost of car insurance for high-risk drivers is $169 per month, compared to $150 per month for drivers with a clean record.
Car insurance companies often classify drivers with DUIs and other traffic violations as high-risk. Because these drivers are statistically more likely to file claims, they typically pay higher auto insurance premiums and may have difficulty finding affordable coverage.
If you’re a high-risk driver, having car insurance is crucial — not only to protect yourself financially but also to meet California’s financial responsibility laws. Below, we’ll explore your options and strategies for getting cheap car insurance in California.
California’s high-risk drivers pay an average of $106 per month for liability-only car insurance.
Mercury, Sun Coast, and USAA offer some of the lowest rates for high-risk California drivers.
Comparison shopping and attending traffic school can help reduce your premiums as a high-risk driver.
A high-risk driver is someone insurance companies see as more likely to file insurance claims due to a history of tickets or accidents. Common reasons a company might flag you as a high-risk driver include DUIs, multiple traffic tickets, at-fault accidents, coverage lapses, and working as a rideshare driver.
California’s point system assigns a specific value to violations. For example, drivers get two points for a DUI or hit-and-run accident and one point for speeding or other minor infractions.1
Getting too many points in a short time frame can lead to higher insurance rates, a suspended driver’s license, or the need for specialized high-risk insurance.2
Car insurance rates for high-risk drivers vary depending on the company, the nature of the violation, and other factors. Shopping around can help you find the coverage you need at a more affordable price. Below are three of the best car insurance companies for high-risk drivers in California.
An at-fault accident on your record will increase your car insurance rates in California. After an accident, insurance companies see you as riskier to insure. The table below shows the average monthly cost for liability-only and full-coverage insurance for drivers with at-fault accidents.
A DUI conviction can cause your car insurance rates to skyrocket. This type of violation indicates a higher likelihood of risky driving behavior. The following table highlights the average monthly premiums for liability-only and full-coverage car insurance for drivers with a DUI.
Getting a speeding ticket in California can increase your car insurance rates, as it signals a higher risk to insurance companies. The table below shows the average monthly cost for liability-only and full coverage for California drivers with speeding tickets.
You can find ways to reduce your car insurance costs in California, even if you have a bad driving record. Here are a few strategies to consider:
Comparison shop for quotes. Every Insurance company looks at risk differently. Comparing quotes from multiple companies can help you find more affordable coverage.3
Ask about discounts. Some insurance companies offer car insurance discounts for things like completing a defensive driving course or bundling auto insurance with other policies, such as homeowners or renters insurance.
Increase your deductible. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premiums. Increasing your deductible from $200 to $1,000 lowers the cost of comprehensive and collision coverage by 40% or more, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).
Work with an independent insurance agent. Independent agents sell policies from multiple insurance companies rather than just one.4 They may have access to insurance companies that cater to high-risk drivers.
Here are a few steps you can take to improve your driving record and lower your car insurance costs over time.
Below are answers to a few common questions about high-risk car insurance in California to help you navigate your coverage options.
In California, a high-risk driver is someone with a history of violations, such as a DUI conviction, speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or driving without insurance. Some insurance companies also consider working as a rideshare driver to be a risk factor.
Companies like USAA, Mercury, and Sun Coast offer the best and most competitive rates for high-risk drivers. But the best company for you ultimately depends on your unique circumstances.
In insurance, “high-risk” refers to drivers who are more likely to file claims. This might be due to driving record, age, credit history, and other risk factors, like lapses in coverage.
High-risk auto insurance in California averages $169 per month. But your rates will vary depending on the insurance company and your personal circumstances.
In California, reckless driving can stay on your driving record for 36 months or longer, depending on the severity of the violation. This can result in higher insurance rates during that time.
120+ more)
8+ years writing about insurance, taxes, and personal finance
Certified public accountant
Featured in
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=small}
)
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
)
)
)