How to Get Insurance for a High-Risk Driver in California

Been labeled a "high-risk driver"? Whether due to DUI, multiple violations, accidents, or a suspended license, getting affordable auto insurance in California can feel impossible. But here's the good news: high-risk drivers CAN get coverage—and there are strategies to reduce your costs.

This guide explains what makes you high-risk, where to find coverage, and how to get back to standard insurance rates.

What Makes You a High-Risk Driver?

Common High-Risk Factors

DUI/DWI: The most serious violation. Even one DUI makes you high-risk for 5-10 years.

Multiple violations: 3+ moving violations in 3 years (speeding, running red lights, reckless driving).

At-fault accidents: 2+ at-fault accidents in 3 years, or one serious accident with major injuries/damage.

License suspension or revocation: Driving with suspended license, failure to appear in court, unpaid tickets.

Driving without insurance: Caught driving uninsured or allowing your coverage to lapse.

SR-22 requirement: If California DMV requires SR-22 filing, you're automatically high-risk.

Young drivers with violations: Teens and young adults with tickets or accidents.

New drivers with no history: Newly licensed adults with no driving history.

Where High-Risk Drivers Can Get Insurance

Specialized High-Risk Carriers

Not all insurance companies insure high-risk drivers. Major carriers like Geico, Progressive, and State Farm may decline high-risk applicants or charge very high rates.

High-risk/non-standard carriers specialize in difficult-to-insure drivers:

• The General

• Direct Auto Insurance

• Acceptance Insurance

• Freeway Insurance

• Bristol West

• Dairyland

• Others

These carriers:

• Accept drivers most companies won't

• File SR-22s when required

• Charge higher rates but provide coverage

Independent Agents Have Access

This is where independent agents like Pinoy General Insurance Services provide huge value:

✅ We have relationships with high-risk carriers
✅ We shop multiple companies for your situation
✅ We find you the best available rate
✅ We handle SR-22 filing if needed
✅ We help you transition back to standard insurance later

One application, multiple high-risk quotes.

How Much Does High-Risk Insurance Cost?

Expected Cost Increases

DUI: 100-200% increase

• Previous rate: $1,500/year

• After DUI: $3,000-4,500/year

Multiple violations: 30-100% increase

At-fault accidents: 30-80% per accident

Driving without insurance: 50-100% increase

Your actual rate depends on:

• Severity of violations

• Your overall driving record

• Vehicle type

• Coverage amounts

• Age and experience

• Which carrier accepts you

California Minimum vs. Full Coverage

Many high-risk drivers choose minimum coverage to reduce premiums:

• $15,000/$30,000/$5,000 liability

However, we recommend higher limits:

• $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 minimum

• You're already in financial jeopardy; don't compound it with inadequate coverage

Consider dropping collision/comprehensive on older vehicles to save money while maintaining necessary liability coverage.

Strategies to Reduce High-Risk Insurance Costs

1. Take Defensive Driving Course

California-approved traffic school or defensive driving:

• May remove one violation from record

• Shows commitment to improvement

• Some carriers offer 5-10% discount

Cost: $20-50 for online course
Savings: Can reduce premium and possibly remove ticket

2. Install Telematics Device

Usage-based insurance programs:

• Monitor your driving (speed, braking, acceleration)

• Safe driving earns discounts (10-30%)

• Proves you're improving

Programs:

• Snapshot (Progressive)

• SmartRide (Nationwide)

• DriveEasy (Geico)

3. Increase Your Deductibles

Higher deductibles = lower premiums

If you can afford $1,000 or $2,500 out-of-pocket, choosing higher deductibles significantly reduces your premium.

4. Maintain Continuous Coverage

Never let your insurance lapse—even for one day.

Lapses make you even higher risk and make finding coverage harder and more expensive.

Pay your premium on time, every time.

5. Drive Safely and Avoid New Violations

Each additional violation compounds your rates.

During your high-risk period:

• Drive defensively

• Follow all traffic laws

• Avoid distractions

• Never drive impaired

• Be patient—aggressive driving leads to violations

Your goal: Stay violation-free so your risk profile improves.

6. Consider Dropping Physical Damage Coverage

If your vehicle is older and worth less than $5,000:

• Drop collision and comprehensive

• Keep liability, uninsured motorist, medical payments

• Saves significant premium

Only if: You can afford to replace the vehicle if totaled.

7. Shop Multiple Carriers Regularly

High-risk insurance rates vary dramatically between companies.

Every 6-12 months:

• Get new quotes

• Compare rates as your record improves

• Switch if better rates available

Independent agents do this for you automatically.

How to Get Back to Standard Insurance

The Path to Better Rates

Time heals most violations: Most violations affect rates for 3-5 years; serious violations like DUI affect rates for 5-10 years.

As time passes and violations age:

• Rates gradually decrease

• More carriers become available

• You transition back to standard insurance

Steps to accelerate improvement:

Year 1-2:

• Maintain high-risk coverage

• Pay premiums on time

• Avoid new violations

• Take defensive driving

• Consider telematics

Year 2-3:

• Shop for better rates as violations age

• Some carriers offer forgiveness programs

• Continue clean record

Year 3-5:

• Transition to standard carriers possible

• Rates significantly improve

• SR-22 requirement typically ends after 3 years

Year 5+:

• Most violations off record

• Standard insurance available

• Normal rates resume

SR-22 Completion

If you have SR-22 requirement:

• Must maintain 3 years of continuous coverage

• Cannot have any lapses

• Insurance company notifies DMV when complete

• Shop for standard insurance immediately after

Mark your calendar for when your 3-year SR-22 period ends!

What to Look for in High-Risk Insurance

Essential Coverage

Liability: California minimum required; we recommend much higher

Uninsured Motorist: Essential—many uninsured drivers on CA roads

Medical Payments: Helps cover injury costs

Optional Physical Damage: Only if vehicle value justifies it

Policy Features

Flexible payment options: Monthly payments help manage cash flow

SR-22 filing: If required, ensure carrier offers it

Accident forgiveness: Some high-risk carriers offer after claim-free period

Discounts: Even high-risk policies offer some discounts

Common High-Risk Insurance Mistakes

❌ Lying on Your Application

Never lie about:

• Your driving record

• Violations or accidents

• Whether you need SR-22

• Vehicle usage

Lying voids your coverage. When you need insurance most (after accident), they'll investigate and deny your claim.

❌ Letting Coverage Lapse

Even a 1-day lapse:

• Makes you higher risk

• Resets SR-22 requirement period

• Makes finding coverage harder

• Results in higher rates

Set up automatic payments to avoid accidental lapses.

❌ Accepting First Quote Without Shopping

High-risk rates vary by hundreds or thousands of dollars between carriers.

Always get 3+ quotes before deciding.

❌ Choosing Inadequate Coverage to Save Money

California minimums are dangerously low.

One serious accident and you could be personally liable for hundreds of thousands beyond your limits.

Balance affordability with adequate protection.

Get High-Risk Insurance Help

Finding affordable high-risk insurance requires expertise and carrier relationships. We specialize in helping high-risk drivers get coverage.

How Pinoy General Insurance Services helps:

✅ High-risk carrier access – We work with companies that accept high-risk drivers
✅ Multiple quotes – We shop several carriers for best rates
✅ SR-22 filing – We handle all SR-22 requirements
✅ Claims support – We're here when you need us
✅ Future planning – We help you transition back to standard insurance

📞 Call us today: (562) 402 - 1737
📧 Email: info@pinoygeneralinsurance.com

Don't drive uninsured. We'll find you coverage even if others have declined you.