Auto Insurance at High Risk

High risk drivers usually have to pay more for their auto insurance. However, if you do a little research before you compare auto insurance quotes and buy car insurance online, you can find ways to save money on your high risk auto insurance bill. First, we’ll show you how most insurance companies set rates for high risk drivers, and then, we’ll provide information to help you select the high risk auto insurance policy that best suits your needs. We are here to help you make the right choices.

High Risk Auto Insurance - Options

Before learning how risk is determined for high risk drivers, you should know how insurance companies define high risk drivers, that is, those requiring high risk auto insurance:

1) Individuals having three or more convictions, guilty pleas, and/or nolo contendere pleas for moving violations; 
2) Individuals having a single conviction, guilty plea, or nolo contendere plea for operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, hit and run driving, vehicular negligent injury, or the reckless operation of a vehicle (or a similar violation), within a twelve month period.

How Risk is Determined for High Risk Drivers

Insurance companies use several factors to classify drivers requiring high risk auto insurance:

• Individuals with a DWI or DUI on their record will immediately be placed in a high risk category.
• Carrying car insurance continuously over a period of several years counts in your favor; having gaps in auto insurance coverage counts against you.
• Teenagers buying car insurance are a greater risk than adults, so young drivers will almost always pay more for auto insurance.
• First time drivers will always pay more for their coverage, regardless of their age; making cheap auto insurance a near impossibility.
• Men are considered greater risks than women, and people driving in urban areas are a greater risk than people driving in rural areas.
• Even if they’re not your fault, being involved in a number of accidents suggests to auto insurance companies that you might be a reckless driver. Further, any accidents will increase your auto insurance rates; making affordable car insurance more difficult to obtain.
• Speeding tickets are especially problematic and may indicate to an auto insurance company that your chances of being involved in a traffic accident are much greater.
• Although it might seem unfair, your credit history influences your car insurance rates. Drivers with poor credit ratings tend to file more claims, and companies will use a person's poor credit rating to classify the driver as having a higher risk.

In our site you will find a complete list of articles with information and tips about how you can find affordable auto insurance, even if you find yourself labeled a "high risk" driver. So, before you compare auto insurance quotes and buy car insurance online, do your homework—“high risk” auto insurance doesn’t have to mean “high rate” car insurance!

If you are a high risk driver and your record is improving, or you have only one high risk factor (two tickets and perfect credit for example), you should contact your agent to see if you might qualify for lower rates. Remember, having to get high risk car insurance is not necessarily a permanent situation. Don't give up!