What Is Non-standard Auto Insurance?

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Updated: May 14, 2026

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Key Takeaways
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Drivers land in the nonstandard market after a DUI conviction, three or more at-fault accidents in five years, a coverage lapse exceeding 30 days or a vehicle-related felony.

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Non-standard policies offer the same coverage types as standard ones (liability, collision and comprehensive among them), but come with lower limits, higher deductibles and fewer add-on options.

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Full coverage costs $159 to $346 a month for nonstandard drivers with a DUI, compared to $98 to $161 a month for clean-record drivers at the same coverage level.

What is Non-Standard Car Insurance?

Nonstandard auto insurance is a market classification, not a coverage type. Preferred, standard and nonstandard are pricing tiers insurers use internally to segment risk. A driver doesn't choose this market; insurers place them there based on underwriting criteria. MoneyGeek's high-risk car insurance guide covers what this classification means for your rates and which carriers write this business.

The nonstandard voluntary market is not the same as the FAIR plan or assigned risk pool, which is the market of absolute last resort. FAIR plan rates are higher than voluntary nonstandard market rates, and coverage is more restricted across the board. Drivers should exhaust voluntary nonstandard options before turning to the state pool. Drivers who've had a policy canceled can find out what their options are in MoneyGeek's guide to car insurance after a non-renewal, which covers the steps to take before your coverage lapses entirely.

Who Ends Up in the Nonstandard Market?

The most common triggers for nonstandard placement are multiple at-fault accidents, a DUI conviction, a felony record, an extended lapse in coverage and a license suspension. For drivers placed in this market after a DUI conviction, full coverage rates range from $159 to $346 per month, according to MoneyGeek's analysis. Many of these drivers are also required to carry SR-22 insurance before they can legally drive again.

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    Multiple At-Fault Accidents

    Three or more at-fault accidents in a five-year period is the most common nonstandard trigger. Most standard insurers set a hard renewal limit once the count hits that threshold, and each incident adds to your base rate.

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    DUI Conviction

    A single DUI conviction is the most severe single-incident trigger. It activates SR-22 requirements in most states and moves the driver to the nonstandard market for at least three to five years. Drivers with a serious record can find carrier options in MoneyGeek's car insurance after a felony guide, which lists which insurers write this risk and what they charge.

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    License Suspension or Revocation

    A suspended license means the driver legally can't operate a vehicle. Standard insurers won't write a policy until the suspension lifts and any SR-22 period is satisfied.

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    Extended Coverage Lapse

    A lapse of 30 days or more appears on insurance history reports. Standard insurers treat gaps over 30 days as a risk signal. Gaps over 90 days push drivers into nonstandard pricing or outright declination. Drivers managing a gap can review their options in MoneyGeek's car insurance after a lapse guide, which covers which carriers accept recent lapses and what they charge.

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    Poor Credit in Most States

    Most states allow insurers to use credit scores as a rating factor. Drivers with poor credit often receive nonstandard tier pricing even with a clean driving record. California, Hawaii and Massachusetts prohibit credit-based pricing, and Michigan does as well.

What Does Non-Standard Car Insurance Cover?

Nonstandard policies offer the same coverage categories as standard policies: liability, collision, comprehensive, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). The differences show up in limits and available endorsements. Most nonstandard policies cap liability limits lower than preferred-tier policies, and optional coverages like accident forgiveness or vanishing deductible are rarely available in this market.

How to Get Nonstandard Auto Insurance

The right steps depend on what put you in this market in the first place.

  1. 1

    Determine Whether You Need an SR-22 Filing

    This is your first filter. Not every insurer files SR-22s, so if your state requires one, you can only quote with insurers that offer this service. Trying to buy from a carrier that doesn't file SR-22s will result in a policy that doesn't satisfy your state's reinstatement requirement.

  2. 2

    Get Your Motor Vehicle Report Before Shopping

    Your MVR costs $5 to $25 depending on your state and shows exactly what underwriters will see. Knowing your record before you apply prevents surprises and helps you explain your history accurately on applications.

  3. 3

    Compare Quotes From Multiple Carrier Types

    Get at least one quote from a nonstandard specialist (The General, Dairyland, Gainsco) and at least one from a standard carrier that writes high-risk policies (Progressive, State Farm). Rate differences for identical coverage can run several hundred dollars per year, so get the specific numbers before committing. Drivers whose finances were recently affected by insolvency can find out which carriers accept bankruptcy filings in MoneyGeek's car insurance after bankruptcy guide before committing to a carrier.

  4. 4

    Ask Each Insurer How Long You'll Stay in the Nonstandard Tier

    Find out what triggers a re-rating to standard pricing. Some insurers review your rate automatically at renewal when your driving record improves. Others require you to request a re-evaluation. Knowing which applies helps you plan your next shopping window.

  5. 5

    Set a Calendar Reminder for When Your Violation Drops Off Your MVR

    Most insurers look back three to five years on your driving record. Shopping immediately after that date gives you access to lower standard-tier rates you won't get on your own timeline. Don't wait for your insurer to offer the discount; you need to actively request new quotes.

Nonstandard Auto Insurance: FAQs

What exactly is nonstandard auto insurance?

How do I get back to the standard market?

How much does nonstandard coverage cost?

Which companies offer nonstandard auto insurance?

Is nonstandard insurance available in all states?

Does being placed in the nonstandard market affect my credit?

MoneyGeek analyzed full coverage auto insurance rates for a 40-year-old male driver with a DUI record and good credit, using a 100/300/100 liability limit and a $1,000 deductible. Rate ranges reflect quotes from standard carriers that write high-risk policies and nonstandard market specialists across multiple states. Figures cited represent the low and high ends of the rate distribution at the time of data collection.

Rate data is reviewed and updated on a regular basis to reflect current insurer pricing. Nonstandard market rates are subject to change based on state regulatory filings and individual insurer underwriting decisions.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, Licensed P&C Insurance Expert, MoneyGeek

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

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