Non-Standard Auto Insurance After a Violation
Non-standard auto insurance is coverage written by carriers that specialize in elevated-risk drivers, including those with DUIs, serious violations, or license suspensions.
Find Coverage for My SituationWhat Is Non-Standard Auto Insurance Insurance?
Non-standard auto insurance covers the same losses as standard auto insurance — liability for injuries and property damage you cause, collision damage to your vehicle, comprehensive coverage for theft and weather damage, and medical payments. The difference is not what is covered, but which carriers write the policy. Non-standard insurers specialize in drivers with DUIs, multiple violations, license suspensions, lapses in coverage, or other factors that disqualify them from standard-market carriers. These companies use different risk models and price structures, resulting in significantly higher premiums for the same coverage limits.
Who Needs Non-Standard Auto Insurance Insurance?
You need non-standard auto insurance if you have a DUI, reckless driving conviction, license suspension, multiple at-fault accidents in a short period, or a lapse in coverage exceeding 30–90 days. Standard carriers will either decline to write your policy or quote premiums so high that non-standard specialists offer better rates. You also need non-standard coverage if your state requires SR-22 or FR-44 filing and your current carrier does not file these certificates.
Request quotes from both your current carrier and non-standard specialists after a violation. Compare total cost including SR-22/FR-44 filing fees. Choose the lowest-cost policy that meets your state's filing requirements, maintain it without lapse, and re-shop every 12 months as your violation ages.
How Much Does Non-Standard Auto Insurance Insurance Cost?
These rates apply for the duration of the violation's impact on your record — typically three to five years for DUIs, one to three years for serious moving violations.
- Type of violation: DUIs carry the highest surcharges, followed by reckless driving, multiple at-fault accidents, and serious speeding violations
- Time since violation: rates decrease as violations age, with most insurers offering lower premiums after 3-5 years
- State requirements: SR-22 or FR-44 filing mandates, state minimum coverage levels, and state-specific surcharge formulas affect pricing
- Coverage limits selected: choosing state minimum liability vs. higher limits; adding collision and comprehensive significantly increases cost in the non-standard market
- Number of violations: each additional violation compounds the rate increase, with 2+ DUIs often resulting in assigned-risk placement
- Age and driving history length: younger drivers with violations face higher rates; drivers over 25 with otherwise clean records before the violation see smaller increases
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