How to Get Car Insurance With a Suspended License

There are many reasons why you may have your license suspended or revoked, including driving without insurance, receiving a drug or alcohol-related impaired driving offense, incurring repeat moving violations or failing to pay child support.

Though you can’t drive legally without a valid driver’s license, you’ll still need car insurance in many cases, even if your license is suspended or revoked. However, finding insurance in these situations tends to be more difficult as many standard insurers may not offer you coverage. Your options may be limited, and you may not get cheap car insurance rates with a suspended driver's license.

If your issue isn't a suspension of your license but rather the fact that you don't have a license, MoneyGeek also has recommendations for where to get car insurance without a license.

You can get car insurance with a suspended license. If you own a car, most states require it to be tagged and insured, even if your license is suspended or revoked. Having a suspended license makes getting insured challenging because you cannot be rated as a driver on your policy if you can’t legally drive. You may be excluded as a driver until your license is reinstated or a restriction is authorized.

In this case, there are a few ways you can get car insurance with a suspended or revoked license:

Yes, you can. Even if your license is revoked, you have to meet your state’s minimum insurance requirements if your car is tagged. If you don’t, you could face fines, penalties, jail time and higher costs for car insurance in the future.

You’ll need to list a rated driver with a valid license on your policy, with an exclusion for the revoked licensed driver. Depending on your state, you may only have the option to purchase high-risk insurance or SR-22 or FR-44 insurance, which is more expensive.

Remember, specifics can differ by state and violation. Always consult local rules and insurers.

SR-22 insurance rates are influenced by a range of factors, with one of the most significant being the state in which you reside. Each state has its own regulations, minimum coverage requirements and market dynamics, leading to varying premium costs. If you live in Florida or Virginia, you may need FR-44 insurance if you've been convicted of a severe violation like a DUI. FR-44 mandates higher liability limits than SR-22.

To secure the most cost-effective SR-22 — or FR-44 — insurance, it's key to thoroughly research and compare quotes within your specific state. Below is a list of the cheapest SR-22 premiums by state. Navigate the table by age and coverage type for details.

Yes, car insurance companies can see if your license is suspended or revoked. The motor vehicles division in your state will notify your insurance company electronically, in the same way they would if you were convicted of a moving violation.

If your insurance company is notified of a suspended license, the company may issue a cancellation notice or nonrenewal of the insurance policy, depending on how close you are even if you are not close to the renewal period.

A mid-term policy cancellation can occur after a serious offense like a DUI or reckless driving conviction, while a policy nonrenewal is based on the termination date of your policy. Your insurance company is required to send you a written notice between 30 and 120 days in advance of cancellation or nonrenewal, depending upon the state's regulations.

The insurance company may also provide an offer of exclusion, which will allow the insurance policy to stay active but require the policyholder to sign a form excluding you from coverage. An excluded driver is a person in the policyholder's household who has been excluded from coverage under their car insurance policy. In this case, you won’t be covered if you get into an accident, even if you own the vehicle.

If your vehicle's registration isn't expired, you’re legally required to insure it, even if your license is suspended or revoked. If you don’t maintain car insurance coverage on your registered vehicle, you could face:

• Fines, including impound fees if the car is towed
• A longer suspension of your driver’s license
• A vehicle registration suspension
• No coverage if you get into a car accident
• Higher insurance rates when you get a new car insurance quote

If your coverage lapses, insurance companies may consider you high-risk when you shop for cheap car insurance quotes, which can affect your rates. For instance, the cost for full coverage Travelers insurance without suspension and no lapse in coverage is $1,356 per year, but to reinstate it with a lapse of less than 30 days costs $1,527. If the lapse is greater than 31 days, the insurance cost is even higher at $2,065. Use the table below to find the cheapest provider and average rate for you. Select your driving record for a more accurate estimate.

The cost of car insurance after a lapse in coverage can vary significantly depending on the state due to several factors:

• State Insurance Regulations: Every state and Washington, D.C., has its own set of regulations pertaining to car insurance. Some states may have stricter penalties for lapses, which can directly influence the insurance rates after a lapse.

• Minimum Liability Requirements: Each state sets its own minimum liability coverage amounts. States with higher minimums might have higher rates, especially after a lapse.

• Frequency of Claims in the State: Areas with higher claims rates (due to accident frequency and severity, weather, theft, etc.) might have higher insurance premiums after a lapse.

• State's SR-22 Requirements: If your lapse is due to a major violation like a DUI, states have different SR-22 insurance requirements, which generally lead to higher rates. Florida and Virginia also have FR-44 insurance specifically for major violations, which comes with higher rates than SR-22 insurance.

• Uninsured Motorists Rates: In states where there's a higher percentage of uninsured drivers, insurance costs can be higher for everyone, including those with a lapse.

• State Economic Factors: Regional economic conditions can influence insurance rates. If repair costs, medical costs or legal fees are high in a state, it might result in higher insurance rates after a lapse.

• Duration of the Lapse: While this isn't state-specific, the length of your lapse might affect your rate differently depending on state regulations and insurer practices.

Be aware of your state's specific regulations and factors influencing insurance rates, and always strive to avoid lapses in coverage to prevent potential rate hikes.

If your car is financed or leased, you may have to carry full coverage insurance to meet lender requirements while your license is suspended. If you own your vehicle outright, you might be able to purchase less coverage to reduce your car insurance costs. Consider the risk if your car will be driven and whether removing comprehensive and collision is the right choice.

If you plan to store your car unregistered, we recommend purchasing comprehensive-only coverage. However, if your vehicle is registered, you’re required to meet your state’s minimum liability insurance requirements to avoid fines and penalties, regardless of your driver’s license status.

It's worth noting that insurance premiums can vary significantly based on state-specific regulations, risk assessment and coverage mandates, so your location can directly impact the rate of your premium. Use the table below to find the cheapest provider and average rate for you.

Not all standard car insurance companies offer coverage to those with suspended or revoked licenses, seeing them as high-risk. Such license actions often point to serious traffic offenses or a pattern of minor ones. This perception heightens the likelihood of these drivers causing accidents or filing claims in insurers' eyes. Nonstandard auto insurers cater to this high-risk demographic, but they usually charge higher rates. For drivers in this predicament, it's important not to gravitate immediately to the first available insurer. By comparing different providers' quotes, you can still find a competitive rate, ensuring value for your money.

The following standard insurers offer coverage to those with suspended or revoked licenses:

1. Allstate
2. Farmers
3. GEICO
4. Nationwide
5. Progressive
6. State Farm
7. USAA
8. Travelers

There are also nonstandard car insurance companies that provide high-risk insurance at lower rates than standard companies. Nonstandard car insurance companies include:

• Acceptance
• Explorer
• Gainsco
• The General

If both standard and nonstandard insurance companies deny you coverage, you can also get a car insurance quote through state insurance groups. These state-funded plans are for high-risk drivers who can’t secure coverage through other means.

Securing coverage with a suspended license often results in pricey quotes. To obtain more affordable rates, prevent coverage lapses, explore eligibility for insurance discounts and consider state-required minimum liability coverage.

While insurance safeguards your finances, even if the car remains stationary, it's also a pivotal step toward license reinstatement, beyond merely settling fines.

Navigating car insurance with a suspended license can be complex. Explore these frequently asked questions to understand the nuances and secure the best coverage for your situation.