9 Best Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers of 2026

This list is for drivers with at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, a DUI or DWI, a suspended license or a gap in coverage who need a policy at a fair price. Insurers call this nonstandard or high-risk cover, and many require an SR-22 or FR-44 filing to prove you carry your state's minimum insurance. We compared documented features, SR-22 handling, filing fees and published price figures on each insurer's or agency's own pages in November 2026. Rankozo weights value at 40%, features at 35% and ease of use at 25%. No insurer publishes a price for high-risk drivers, so the prices shown are filing fees or published averages and examples, and every driver should get several quotes.

1. 01Top value

   

   Progressive

   8.9/10

   Large national insurer that quotes drivers with tickets, accidents or a DUI online and files SR-22 forms electronically for new customers in most states.

   Price

   Customper month, average liability-only policy

   No high-risk rate published; Progressive's average liability-only policy is $87.56 a month in low-cost states and $165.02 in high-cost states

   “Car insurance on average is $87.56 per month in low-cost states, $112.80 per month in medium-cost states, and $165.02 per month in high-cost states.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   8.6

   Features (35%)

   9.0

   Ease of use (25%)

   9.2

   Best forDrivers with a mixed record who want a fast online quote and an SR-22 filed the moment they buy.

   Progressive is the most complete first stop for a driver with a rough record. It does not label anyone high risk, but it does write policies for drivers with at-fault accidents, tickets and DUI convictions, and its SR-22 handling is the smoothest we found: for new customers in most states it files the form electronically with the DMV as soon as the policy is bought, and it rolls the filing fee into the cost of each policy term. Progressive says it can file an SR-22 anywhere in the United States. It also publishes average premiums, $87.56 a month for liability-only cover in low-cost states up to $165.02 in high-cost states, which gives a useful baseline before your record is priced in. Snapshot can bring a rate down for careful drivers, and small accident forgiveness helps in some states. The trade-off is that you only learn your real price after a quote, and a DUI will push it well above those averages.

   • ✓Says it can file an SR-22 anytime and anywhere in the United States
   • ✓Publishes average liability-only prices by state cost tier
   • ✓Quote, buy and get proof of insurance fully online

   • ✕Does not publish rates for drivers with a DUI or accidents
   • ✕Some states still require the SR-22 to be filed by mail
   • ✕Snapshot can raise or lower your rate, so poor driving habits cost more

   SR-22 filing:

   Electronic at purchase in most states

   Published average:

   $87.56 to $165.02 a month, liability only

   Drivers:

   More than 40 million, per Progressive

   Online quote time:

   As little as four minutes

   Bottom line: Progressive is the best overall pick for high-risk drivers thanks to instant SR-22 filing and fast online quotes. Quote it first, then compare a specialist such as The General or Dairyland.

   Visit progressive.com ↗

2. 02

   

   Dairyland

   8.5/10

   Sentry-owned nonstandard auto insurer that covers drivers after a DUI and generally files SR-22 forms at no charge.

   Price

   CustomSR-22 filing fee, premium by quote

   No premium published; Dairyland generally charges no fee to file an SR-22

   “Dairyland generally doesn’t charge a fee to file an SR-22.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   8.7

   Features (35%)

   8.5

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.0

   Best forDrivers who need an SR-22 or FR-44 and want to avoid a filing fee.

   Dairyland is the cheapest place we found to satisfy a filing requirement, because it says it generally does not charge a fee to file an SR-22, while Direct Auto, Infinity and Allstate all put the usual fee at $15 to $50. After your policy is issued and paid, Dairyland can often e-file the SR-22 by the following day in states that allow electronic filing, and it handles FR-44 forms for Florida and Virginia drivers with DUI convictions. Its DUI page is direct about the situation: drivers with a conviction are usually treated as nonstandard, and not every insurer will cover them. If you no longer own a car, Dairyland sells non-owner policies with an SR-22 attached, which usually cost less. Dairyland is part of the same Sentry group that underwrites The General, so quote both rather than assuming they price the same. The weak spot is transparency on premiums, which depend on state, record, age, vehicle and payment plan and are only shown in a quote.

   • ✓Avoids the SR-22 fee that other insurers charge
   • ✓Says plainly that it works with drivers after a DUI
   • ✓Non-owner SR-22 option if you sold your car

   • ✕No published premiums
   • ✕Electronic filing depends on state and policy eligibility
   • ✕Filing waits until the policy is issued and paid

   SR-22 filing fee:

   Generally none

   Filing speed:

   Often by the following day

   Filings:

   SR-22 and FR-44

   Phone:

   1-800-334-0090

   Bottom line: Dairyland is the best value pick for drivers who must carry an SR-22 or FR-44. The free filing and next-day e-file make it worth a quote next to Progressive.

   Visit dairylandinsurance.com ↗

3. 03

   

   The General

   8.5/10

   Nonstandard auto insurer that specializes in drivers with accidents, violations, DUI convictions, coverage lapses or no prior insurance.

   Price

   Check price

   See vendor pricing (USD check pending)

   US price check pending. Vendor pricing page

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   8.4

   Features (35%)

   8.4

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.8

   Best forDrivers who have been turned down elsewhere, have a coverage lapse or have never been insured.

   The General is a specialist: its high-risk page says the business is built on covering drivers with less than perfect records, policy lapses or no prior coverage, the groups many standard insurers screen out. That makes it a strong second quote when a mainstream carrier declines you or prices you out. DUI insurance is one of its stated specialties, and when you tell it you need an SR-22 during the quote, it includes the form with your policy documents after you buy, in most states. Quotes take 2 minutes or less online, you can spread the premium into monthly payments, and you can print your own proof of insurance card. Policies are underwritten by a member of the Sentry Insurance Group, which holds an A+ (superior) AM Best rating as of July 2026. The limits: no published rates, a possible SR-22 fee or surcharge depending on state, and in most states it can only file the SR-22 in the state where your policy was issued.

   • ✓Built around drivers other insurers decline
   • ✓Low down payments, per The General
   • ✓Underwritten by Sentry, rated A+ (superior) by AM Best as of July 2026

   • ✕No published prices
   • ✕Can usually file an SR-22 only in the state where the policy is issued
   • ✕Says SR-22 filing fees or premium surcharges may apply

   Who it covers:

   Bad records, lapses, no prior insurance

   Quote time:

   2 minutes or less

   Underwriter:

   Member of the Sentry Insurance Group

   Phone:

   1-844-328-0306

   Bottom line: The General is the best pick if you have a lapse, no prior insurance or a DUI and need someone to say yes. Expect a higher premium than a clean-record driver would pay.

   Visit thegeneral.com ↗

4. 04

   

   Direct Auto

   8.2/10

   Allstate-owned auto insurer with local stores that sells policies with same-day SR-22 filings to drivers with DUIs, suspensions or serious violations.

   Price

   CustomSR-22 filing fee per renewal, premium by quote

   No premium published; Direct Auto puts the SR-22 filing fee at around $25 per renewal

   “SR-22 filing fee: Expect to pay around $25 to file an SR-22, though the cost may vary by state and insurance company.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   8.3

   Features (35%)

   8.0

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.2

   Best forDrivers who want to buy and pay in person, including with cash, and need an SR-22 the same day.

   Direct Auto suits high-risk drivers who would rather sit down with someone than fill out a form online. It sells through its own agency stores as well as by phone and online, and it lets you pay with cash at a nearby location, which matters if you do not have a card or bank account. Its SR-22 page promises same-day filings and is clear on costs: expect around $25 to file, paid again at every renewal until the requirement ends, plus a higher premium because of the violation on your record. Its DUI page explains SR-22 and FR-44 requirements and says most insurers look back three to five years, so rates can ease over time. Direct Auto has operated since 1991 and is now a subsidiary of Allstate, with policies underwritten by National General group companies. We marked down value slightly because the filing fee recurs, and features because it publishes no premiums, discounts for high-risk drivers or online price examples.

   • ✓Store network for drivers who prefer face-to-face help
   • ✓Pay in cash at a nearby location
   • ✓Member of the Allstate family

   • ✕No published premiums
   • ✕SR-22 fee is charged again at every renewal
   • ✕Store availability depends on where you live

   SR-22 filing:

   Same day, around $25 per renewal

   In business since:

   1991

   Parent:

   Allstate

   Phone:

   1-877-GO-DIRECT

   Bottom line: Direct Auto is the best pick for drivers who want to buy in a store and pay cash. Same-day SR-22 filing makes it quick after a suspension.

   Visit directauto.com ↗

5. 05

   

   Acceptance Insurance

   8.0/10

   Insurance agency with local offices that has focused on drivers with imperfect records for more than 50 years, including SR-22 and DUI cover.

   Price

   Customper month, Texas minimum liability example with SR-22

   Example: an SR-22 may raise Texas minimum liability to $88 a month, per Acceptance

   “an SR-22 requirement may increase your rates to $88 monthly for minimum liability, about 70% more than the average.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   8.2

   Features (35%)

   7.8

   Ease of use (25%)

   7.8

   Best forDrivers with a DUI or SR-22 requirement who want a local agent and published cost examples.

   Acceptance is one of the few names here that puts numbers on what a bad record costs. Its SR-22 page says the requirement can push Texas minimum liability to $88 a month, about 70% above average, and up to $145 a month in Tennessee, and its DUI page puts average minimum liability with one DUI at $95 a month and full coverage at $260. Those are averages rather than quotes, but they help you judge whether an offer is reasonable. Acceptance has spent more than 50 years helping drivers with imperfect records, and its agents work from local offices, by phone or online, comparing coverage across carriers rather than selling one company's policy. That makes it a good choice if you would like someone to shop for you. The drawbacks: it warns of a filing fee of about $45, higher than Dairyland's or Progressive's approach, and because it is an agency, service after the sale depends on the insurer it places you with.

   • ✓Publishes state cost examples for SR-22 drivers
   • ✓Agents compare options for you
   • ✓Local offices you can visit in person

   • ✕Examples are averages, not quotes
   • ✕Says a filing fee of about $45 may apply
   • ✕Acts as an agency, so the insurer behind your policy varies

   Texas SR-22 example:

   $88 a month, minimum liability

   Average DUI minimum liability:

   $95 a month, per Acceptance

   Experience:

   More than 50 years

   Quotes by phone:

   877-405-7102

   Bottom line: Acceptance is a good pick for drivers who want a local agent to shop on their behalf. Its published cost examples help you spot a bad offer.

   Visit acceptance.com ↗

6. 06

   

   Infinity Insurance Agency

   7.9/10

   Bilingual insurance agency that shops more than 20 carriers for high-risk drivers and files SR-22 forms electronically after payment.

   Price

   CustomSR-22 filing fee, premium by quote

   No premium published; Infinity says an SR-22 filing usually costs about $25

   “Filing an SR-22 usually costs about $25, but can range up to $50 in certain locations.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   8.1

   Features (35%)

   7.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   7.8

   Best forSpanish-speaking drivers and drivers with a foreign license or Matricula Consular who need an SR-22.

   Infinity Insurance Agency shops more than 20 insurers on your behalf, and it lists coverage for high-risk drivers and SR-22 filing help as core services. Its SR-22 process is simple: get a quote, pay, and the agency sends the form to the DMV or DPS while emailing your proof of insurance right away. It says a filing usually costs about $25 and can reach $50 in some places. Infinity stands out for drivers that larger insurers handle poorly: it has Spanish-bilingual agents and accepts foreign driver's licenses and the Matricula Consular, and it can help with FR-44 and non-owner policies too. The catch is reach. It serves 11 states, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas, and like other agencies it publishes no premiums, so price depends entirely on which carrier it finds for you.

   • ✓Proof of insurance by email right after payment
   • ✓Coverage for high-risk drivers listed as a core service
   • ✓Non-owner policies available

   • ✕Only available in 11 states
   • ✕No published premiums
   • ✕Agency model means the underwriting carrier varies

   Carriers:

   20+

   States:

   AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, NV, OR, PA, TX

   SR-22 filing fee:

   About $25, up to $50

   Phone:

   1-855-478-3705

   Bottom line: Infinity is the best pick for Spanish-speaking drivers and drivers with a foreign license in its 11 states. Instant SR-22 filing after payment helps you get back on the road quickly.

   Visit infinityauto.com ↗

7. 07

   

   Allstate

   7.8/10

   National insurer that files SR-22 forms on your behalf and sells through agents, online and by phone.

   Price

   CustomSR-22 filing fee, premium by quote

   No premium published; Allstate puts the one-time SR-22 filing fee at $15 to $50

   “Typically, you’ll need to pay a one-time fee to file an SR-22 in the range of $15 to $50.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   7.4

   Features (35%)

   8.2

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.0

   Best forDrivers with a ticket or accident who want a local agent, bundling and telematics savings from a large insurer.

   Allstate is a standard insurer rather than a high-risk specialist, but it will file an SR-22 for you and its SR-22 guide is one of the clearest we read. It sets the typical one-time filing fee at $15 to $50, says your insurer submits the form electronically, and walks through which states do not use SR-22s and how FR-44 works in Florida and Virginia. Allstate sells non-owner SR-22 policies and handles SR-22s on motorcycle policies too. For a driver with a single ticket or accident, Allstate's discounts, agents and Drivewise program may make it competitive, and it says customers who switched saved $900. For a DUI or several violations, expect a specialist such as The General or Dairyland to price more kindly, which is why we score its value lower. Allstate also owns Direct Auto, which is the better Allstate-family option for drivers with serious violations who want to pay in a store.

   • ✓Local agents for in-person help
   • ✓Clear guide to SR-22 and FR-44 rules by state
   • ✓Customers who switched saved $900, per Allstate

   • ✕Standard insurer, so pricing after a DUI can be steep
   • ✕No published premiums
   • ✕Switching savings figure reflects discounts, not high-risk drivers

   SR-22 filing fee:

   $15 to $50, one time

   SR-22 phone line:

   866-561-7300

   Switching savings:

   $900, per Allstate

   Driving program:

   Drivewise

   Bottom line: Allstate is a solid pick for drivers with one blemish who want an agent and bundling. Drivers with a DUI should compare it with a specialist.

   Visit allstate.com ↗

8. 08

   

   Freeway Insurance

   7.7/10

   Independent insurance agency that compares more than 200 companies, including carriers that insure drivers with DUI convictions.

   Price

   Check price

   See vendor pricing (USD check pending)

   US price check pending. Vendor pricing page

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   7.8

   Features (35%)

   7.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   7.6

   Best forDrivers with a DUI who want an agent to compare many carriers online, by phone or in an office.

   Freeway is an independent agency owned by Confie, and its pitch to high-risk drivers is choice: it says it compares more than 200 companies, including carriers that cover drivers with DUI convictions. Its DUI page is practical, covering SR-22 and FR-44 rules, ignition interlock devices, non-owner policies and how to avoid a lapse while switching. You can quote online, call 800-777-5620 or visit a local office, and the site is available in Spanish. Freeway is useful when one or two insurers have already declined you and you want an agent to find who will say yes. It ranks lower than the direct insurers because it publishes no prices or filing fees, and because filing and claims depend on the carrier it places you with. Ask the agent which company underwrites the policy and whether that company files your SR-22 electronically before you pay.

   • ✓Widest carrier choice in this list
   • ✓Spanish-language site and support
   • ✓Explains FR-44 and ignition interlock requirements

   • ✕No published prices
   • ✕Filing depends on which carrier you choose
   • ✕Agency, so claims go through the underlying insurer

   Companies compared:

   More than 200

   Quotes by phone:

   800-777-5620

   Ways to buy:

   Online, phone or local office

   Parent company:

   Confie

   Bottom line: Freeway is a good pick for drivers with a DUI who want an agent to compare many carriers. Confirm the underwriting insurer and its SR-22 process before you buy.

   Visit freeway.com ↗

9. 09

   

   State Farm

   7.5/10

   Agent-based national insurer with coverage for some drivers labeled high risk and a guide on how to bring rates back down.

   Price

   Check price

   See vendor pricing (USD check pending)

   US price check pending. Vendor pricing page

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   7.4

   Features (35%)

   7.4

   Ease of use (25%)

   7.8

   Best forDrivers with a few-year-old ticket or accident who want a local agent and a path back to standard rates.

   State Farm is worth a quote if your record has one or two older marks rather than a recent DUI. Its high-risk guide lays out what can trigger the label, including at-fault collisions, repeated citations, impaired driving and suspensions, and says most accidents and tickets stop affecting rates after three to five years. It also lists practical steps: defensive driving courses an agent can approve, choosing a car with better safety features and going three years without a ticket. State Farm says high-risk drivers may see higher premiums, different discount options and larger initial payments, and that SR-22 filings may be required. It does not market itself as a nonstandard insurer, and its own guide suggests that drivers declined by an insurer reach out to companies that specialize in high-risk cover, which is why it sits last here. Its strengths are a large agent network, Drive Safe & Save and bundling, which reward drivers who are working their way back to a clean record.

   • ✓Explains what triggers a high-risk label and how long it lasts
   • ✓Agent support in most communities
   • ✓Average switching savings of $740, per State Farm

   • ✕Not a nonstandard specialist; its own guide points declined drivers to specialist insurers
   • ✕No published high-risk prices
   • ✕Says high-risk drivers may face larger initial payments

   Switching savings:

   $740 average, per State Farm

   Policies and accounts:

   96M+

   High-risk duration:

   Usually 3 to 5 years for tickets and accidents

   Quote:

   Online or through an agent

   Bottom line: State Farm suits drivers whose violations are aging off their record and who want an agent. Drivers with a fresh DUI will usually do better with a specialist.

   Visit statefarm.com ↗

Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.comSee our disclosure. Prices change; confirm on the vendor page before buying.