If you have a spotty driving record and think you can't find affordable auto insurance, you're not alone. You may not realize that there are companies that specialize in auto insurance for high-risk drivers. If you have many traffic tickets and driving offenses on your record, you'll likely be classified as a high-risk driver and find yourself paying higher premiums for your auto insurance, especially if you continue to get your insurance through your usual carrier. The fact is that you may be able to find cheaper car insurance for high-risk drivers if you know where to look.
The key to finding cheap high-risk auto insurance is research. You'll find many websites that provide auto insurance quotes from multiple insurance carriers. You can search for different types of auto insurance, including auto insurance for drivers with bad driving records. It helps to know what you're looking for, though.
Different Types of High Risk Drivers
There are a number of different reasons you may be considered a high-risk driver. If you're young and male, for example, you're automatically assigned to a higher risk category and will pay a higher premium than young women under 25 or older drivers. Blame the other drivers your age. Unfortunately, statistics tell the insurance companies that men under 25 are far more likely to be involved in auto accidents, so they'll charge you more for your insurance coverage.
For others, though, the high-risk auto insurance category is strictly based on their own driving records. If you have even one DUI/DWI on your driving record, for example, you'll be in a high risk category for auto insurance and will end up paying more for your insurance premiums for several years. You may also need high risk auto insurance if you've received moving violations - traffic tickets for exceeding the speed limit, reckless driving, driving without a license or running a red light or stop sign, or if you've been involved in one or more auto accidents that were judged to be your fault.
While nearly any auto insurance company will sell auto insurance for high-risk drivers, some are more affordable than others. There are a number of auto insurance companies that have dedicated programs aimed specifically at high-risk drivers. The non-standard insurance market specializes in auto insurance for high-risk drivers. In many cases, they offer significant discounts on the premium if you do things to improve your driving, such as taking defensive driving courses, or that reduce their risk, such as agreeing to a high deductible on your policy.
If you need high risk auto insurance, you can expect to pay premiums that are considerably higher than drivers with a good driving record - but that doesn't have to last forever. Many auto insurance companies give you a chance to "rehab" your driving record by avoiding traffic tickets and auto accidents for several years.
In some states, you may have to get special high-risk driver insurance if you've been convicted of reckless driving, driving without a license or other high risk driving behaviors. This is often called SR-22 insurance. Those states require that risky drivers carry insurance with higher minimum coverage than the general population. If a court has told you that you need to get SR-22 insurance or auto insurance for high risk drivers, you won't be able to register a car or get a driver's license until you show proof that you've acquired the required insurance.
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About the Author
Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2011 (Mon Jan 09 2012) Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource internet marketing web site at: http://www.majon.com
