Non Standard Insurance Companies – High-risk drivers can be covered by non-standard insurance policies. These policies work much the same as a preferred or standard policy but they are more expensive to offset any risk to the provider. If you have more driving experience, improve your credit score or maintain a clean driving record, you can move to a preferred or standard policy.
If you are a high-risk driver who needs insurance, read on to learn how non-standard policies work. Also, where you can find the best deals for the coverage you require.
Table of Contents
What Is Non-Standard Auto Insurance?
Before you begin looking for non-standard auto insurers that will meet your needs, it is important to determine if you are eligible.
Non-standard auto insurance covers drivers who are too high-risk to be covered under standard policies. Non-standard insurance is the same as standard, but it has a higher risk of claims and is therefore more costly.
Non-standard drivers may have poor driving records, multiple accidents, been convicted for DUIs, or have had multiple accidents. You should expect to pay more for non-standard insurance.
Major insurers might cancel or refuse to renew your coverage if you are deemed an extremely hazardous driver. Non-standard insurance will be required. Your insurance company must file an SR-22/FR-4 for you before you can renew your vehicle registration.
How do Insurance Companies Calculate Risk?
Your driving record is one of the most important factors that insurance companies consider when assessing your risk. High-risk drivers with DUIs and at-fault crashes and driving infractions will be considered higher risk. This is because they have a greater chance of engaging in risky behavior in future. It also means that the company will pay more.
Clean driving records make it more likely that drivers will be at a lower cost for the company. They are therefore eligible to receive lower premiums on a standard or preferred insurance policy.
Non-standard insurance will also consider the distance you drive. Because you’ll be driving for a long time, it is possible to become involved in an accident. The higher your chances of being in an accident, the more time you spend driving.
Your vehicle’s make/model will also impact how high your risk. This is because sports cars are more likely to drive on the open roads. The driver’s risk is also affected by their age and marital status. People who are younger have a greater likelihood of taking more risks and less experience driving. Married couples are more likely to be responsible behind the wheel of a car than those without families.
How Does Non-Standard Insurance Work?
Non-standard insurance is purchased in the same manner as standard auto coverage. However, there might be additional requirements depending on your records. You may need to fill out an SR-22 in some cases. This will let the DMV know if you are insured. A higher deductible is likely.
Non-standard auto coverage is for high-risk drivers and is the most costly tier of insurance. This category is for high-risk drivers. If you fall within this category, your premium will be higher to cover any potential losses that an insurance company might incur. Most insurance companies follow a three-tier system for coverage: standard, preferred and non-standard. Preferred customers will most likely have:
- A clean driving record
- Minimum six months’ prior insurance
- Their auto coverage is unaffected
- Very good credit score
- There are very few or none of the claims that were filed
The standard driver will most likely have:
- An average credit score
- Prior insurance coverage
- Very few traffic violations
- One at-fault accident
Drivers who are not standard drivers will typically have:
- Several accidents
- Multiple claims filed
- No prior insurance
- A poor credit score
Insurance companies can use these categories to determine their risk when insuring customers. If you have been convicted of a DUI, or have had multiple convictions, you may be considered to be a greater risk to the insurance company. This will mean that you will be placed under the non-standard insurance tier, which will have higher rates. Your current provider may drop you if they consider you to be too risky. The next step is to find auto insurance that covers non-standard policies.
Who needs non-standard insurance?
Non-standard insurance may be required for high-risk drivers. These drivers may not be eligible for auto insurance under standard policies due to their driving record. Drivers under 25 years old may require non-standard auto coverage due to their lack driving experience.
Drivers Considered High-Risk
If you are a high-risk driver, your car insurance may be substandard.
Inexperienced drivers, young drivers who are involved in multiple accidents, drivers who file many claims, and drivers with expired insurance are all high-risk drivers. You might need non-standard auto coverage if you fall into any of these categories.
Young Drivers Under 25
Because young drivers lack driving experience, insurance companies consider them high-risk. Although this can lead to expensive policies, it is possible to still find affordable auto insurance under 25 by comparing providers.
Drivers More Than 75
Older drivers might have less driving skills as a result of aging. This can lead to more accidents. These drivers may have difficulty identifying stop signs, hearing honks, or understanding traffic signals. This could make it difficult to find affordable car insurance for seniors.
A History of Multiple Accidents and Claims in a Short Time
Insurers view multiple incidents within a short period of time as a sign that you are high-risk. Multiple claims can also be high-risk because they require many payments from the insurance provider.
Unscrupulous Driving
Reckless driving includes speeding, not obeying traffic signs and other flagrant violations of law. These actions are considered high-risk and could lead to accidents by auto insurance companies.
SR-22 FR-44
Non-standard auto insurance is required if your vehicle has an SR-22/FR-44. Your auto insurance provider must file a form on your behalf prior to you being able to apply for non-standard auto coverage.
Salvage Title Cars
Salvage title cars pose a high risk because they are either a total loss or have suffered excessive damage. These cars are unsafe and should not be driven on the roads.
Luxury Cars
It is more costly to insure a luxury car because of its value and repair costs. Luxury drivers are known for their high speed driving habits, making it a high-risk vehicle. However, it is possible to compare providers and find affordable car insurance for luxury vehicles.
Coverage Lapse
High-risk is a gap in auto insurance payments. In the event of lapsed payments, insurance providers could be at greater risk.
How much does non-standard auto insurance cost?
Non-standard auto insurance costs depend on the state’s average premiums and the reason that you need it. Your rates may rise if you are convicted of speeding, but not as much as for a DUI.
Surprisingly aged had the greatest influence on rates across most states. Teenage drivers pay more than those who are convicted of DUI-related accidents.
State | Clean driving record | Speeding violation | DUI + accident | Young driver |
California | $1,830 | $3,060 | $7,794 | $6,177 |
Florida | $1,576 | $2,424 | $3,384 | $4,278 |
Illinois | $1,320 | $2,784 | $2,004 | $6,279 |
New Jersey | $2,416 | $4,452 | $6,576 | $9,048 |
New York | $1,812 | $2,544 | $5,532 | $6,216 |
Pennsylvania | $1,819 | $2,028 | $3,436 | $10,208 |
Texas | $1,230 | $1,242 | $2,298 | $4,068 |
Top States for Nonstandard Auto Insurance
Not surprisingly, some of the largest states also have the most premiums going toward nonstandard auto insurance. California, Texas and Florida are the biggest states for nonstandard auto insurance, according to A.M. Best.
State | Direct premiums written for nonstandard auto insurance (in thousands of $) |
California | $3,624,230 |
Texas | $2,719,233 |
Florida | $2,013,636 |
North Carolina | $985,404 |
Georgia | $525,398 |
Louisiana | $513,060 |
Illinois | $419,863 |
Pennsylvania | $414,850 |
Virginia | $381,419 |
Arizona | $375,846 |
Alabama | $336,005 |
New York | $332,322 |
Ohio | $302,158 |
Tennessee | $261,885 |
Colorado | $260,057 |
Washington | $235,061 |
South Carolina | $226,371 |
Indiana | $214,551 |
Nevada | $200,732 |
Michigan | $185,564 |
Oklahoma | $154,128 |
Mississippi | $116,611 |
New Jersey | $111,085 |
Maryland | $108,484 |
New Mexico | $108,311 |
Utah | $85,103 |
Missouri | $83,459 |
Arkansas | $81,025 |
Kansas | $80,892 |
Connecticut | $73,422 |
Kentucky | $56,782 |
Wisconsin | $56,748 |
Oregon | $56,702 |
Delaware | $47,148 |
Massachusetts | $46,255 |
New Hampshire | $45,323 |
Maine | $40,293 |
West Virginia | $36,566 |
Idaho | $32,455 |
Minnesota | $28,448 |
Nebraska | $25,800 |
District of Columbia | $17,057 |
Iowa | $16,887 |
Montana | $15,262 |
Alaska | $10,984 |
Rhode Island | $9,919 |
South Dakota | $9,575 |
North Dakota | $7,913 |
Wyoming | $6,397 |
Vermont | $3,232 |
Hawaii | $1,115 |
Source: A.M. Best data and research |
Best Non Standard Insurance Companies
Non-standard policies will have a different price than standard insurance policies. Here are some non-standard policies offered by a variety of insurance companies so that even people with poor driving records, low credit scores and/or inexperience behind the wheel can get the coverage they need.
- Bristol West
- Dairyland
- Direct Auto Insurance
- Foremost
- Founders Insurance
- GAINSCO
- The General
- Hallmark
- Infinity
- Kemper Auto Insurance
- National General
- Safe Auto
- Titan
Are you able to switch from non-standard to standard auto insurance?
A standard policy can be changed from a non-standard policy. Your driving record, credit score, credit history, marital status, and age all play into the rating of your auto insurance policy. These can all change over time.
Be careful behind the wheel. Do not take chances, and do not break the law. You will be able to maintain a clean driving history and not get additional tickets or points to your license. Your past infractions will start to disappear from your record. Some insurance companies will also reward drivers who take defensive driving or traffic safety classes.
Your credit score will rise if you make timely payments and reduce your debt. Statistics show that people with lower credit scores are more likely to file claims and make late payments. Your insurance provider will view you as less risk if you improve your credit score.
Drivers with sports cars are seen as being more likely to take chances on the open road.
As you gain experience behind the wheel, your risk will decrease. Then you will be eligible to move up to a standard or preferred tier.
Final Thought Non-Standard Car Insurance Companies
Non-standard car insurers insure millions of drivers throughout the United States.
You might be a high-risk driver. You might have an unusual car. You have many options, no matter what the reason.
To ensure you get the best non-standard auto insurance, request a quote from one of the listed companies.