Jessica Fox Last Updated On: June 27, 2023

Getting Car Insurance For Bad Drivers

We all make mistakes and  those mistakes can cost us. When it comes to finding car insurance for bad drivers, the cost is two-fold. First, there’s the actual monetary cost of bad driving record car insurance, which is roughly $140 more per month than car insurance for good drivers.

Secondly, there’s the time  bad drivers will have to spend finding a provider to cover them. The good news is we can help. Not only can we help you find the best insurance for bad drivers, but we can tell you everything you need to know about getting this higher risk type of coverage for the best price possible.

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Table of Contents

What Makes You A "Bad Driver"?

There are many actions (or inactions) that can result in your being classified as a bad driver. These include:

  • Having a lot of tickets
  • Driving under the influence
  • Being charged with one or more traffic violation
  • Distracting driving
  • Being at-fault in an accident

Something to keep in mind: While all “bad drivers” are high-risk drivers, not all high-risk drivers are classified as bad drivers. You can be considered a high-risk driver if you are young or elderly, even if you have a good driving record. Younger and older people are in more accidents and file more claims than their other-aged counterparts, and as a result, are considered high risk.

How Much Does Bad Driver Car Insurance Cost?

As mentioned, bad driver car insurance is on average $140 more per month than coverage for good drivers, and considering insurance for good drivers is already around $140/per, you can see how this amount could be cost prohibitive. 

Thankfully, there are ways to reduce your car insurance, even if you have a mixed driving record. 

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8 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Bad Driver Car Insurance

You’re not a perfect driver, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should have to pay higher insurance premiums for the rest of your life. There are several ways you can lower your car insurance—albeit, only one of these strategies yields immediate reductions. However, all of them help reduce your premiums faster than if you’d taken no action.
  • Take a defensive driving course. Some of these courses can be done online and in as little as a few days.
  • Maintain a good driving record. Seems obvious, but it bears repeating: be a good driver and your premiums will drop faster. 
  • Bundle your insurance. This is the one action you can take to lower your premiums right away. Bundle your bad driver insurance with your home insurance and any other insurance you have and instantly lower your rates.
  • Good credit discount. Less than perfect drivers can still have good credit, and if your car insurance company gives discounts for this, you save!
  • Safety feature discount. Cars with enhanced safety features will often score insurance discounts, so let your provider know if your ride has safety or anti-theft devices.
  • Low-mileage discount. If you don’t drive a lot, you may qualify for a low-mileage discount that can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
  • Good student discount. Still in school? Awesome. Maintain a B+ average and you could save up to 10% on your auto insurance.
  • Shop around. Don’t assume your current auto insurance is the best. And don’t assume the first quote you get is going to be the best car insurance for someone with a bad driving record. Get multiple quotes—at least three—and then compare those rates.
We can help. Request a free quote now and be on your way to getting the best car insurance for people with bad driving records. 

The Takeaway: Getting Bad Driver Car Insurance

Being classified as a bad driver doesn’t necessarily make you a bad person and while bad driver car insurance is definitely more expensive than car insurance for safe drivers, you’re not saddled with this record for life. You can make changes, improve your driving record, and overtime, lower your rates. 

In the meantime, you can use the strategies discussed here to get the best car insurance for bad driving records. Start by getting a free quote from us. We’ll pair you with an agent who deals specifically with drivers with mixed driving records, saving you stress, time, and ultimately, money.

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FAQ

Having multiple traffic violations, being at-fault in an accident, and DUIs are the most common reasons for being classified as a bad driver. Hit-and-runs will also result in this classification

On average, around $140/month more.

Depending on the nature of your violation or offense, your driving record can improve in as little as three years for less severe offences like tickets and accidents. A DUI or hit-and-run can stay on your record for up to 10 years, however


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