Does a suspended license affect auto insurance rates?
Car insurance with a suspended license will likely have higher rates. Some companies may not want to cover you with a suspended license, but it is possible to find coverage. Read on to learn more about your options.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Sep 25, 2023
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Sep 25, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Having your driver’s license suspended can affect insurance rates and coverage
- Some exceptions might still allow you to drive
- In many cases, having a suspended license won’t result in losing insurance coverage, but the decision is up to your insurance company
Having your driver’s license can severely disrupt your life, and it’s natural to wonder, “How does license suspension affect insurance?” While you can get auto insurance with a suspended license, it may be harder than before the suspension. It’s also important to understand the exceptions that can make it possible for you to still do some driving even if your license is suspended. Read on to learn more.
Will a suspended license affect auto insurance?
In some cases, it may be hard to get insurance if your license has been suspended, particularly if the suspension is the result of multiple at-fault accidents, driving under the influence, or other behaviors that make insurers feel you’re a risky driver. Also, there’s a chance your current insurer may cancel your policy because they feel you’re an unsafe driver and too much of a liability to cover.
However, if you already have auto insurance when your license is suspended, it doesn’t mean you’ll lose it automatically. It’s up to your insurer’s discretion, and it’s very common for insurers to keep you as a customer even if you have a suspended license. It’s important to note, though, that in most cases you can’t drive with a suspended license, regardless of whether you still have insurance.
This table shows you the penalties for each state for driving without auto insurance. Use the search box to find your state.
Penalties by State for Driving Uninsured
| State | First Offense Driving Uninsured |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Fine: Up to $500; registration suspension with $200 reinstatement fee |
| Alaska | License suspension for 90 days |
| Arizona | Fine: $500 (or more); license/registration/license plate suspension for three months |
| Arkansas | Fine: $50 to $250; suspended registration/no plates until proof of coverage plus $20 reinstatement fee; court may order impoundment |
| California | Fine: $100-$200 plus penalty assessments. Court may order impoundment |
| Colorado | Fine: $500 minimum fine; 4 points against your license; license suspension until you can show proof to the DMV that you are insured. Courts may add up to 40 hours community service |
| Connecticut | Fine: $100-$1000; suspended registration/license for one month (show proof of insurance) with $175 reinstatement fee |
| Delaware | Fine: $1500 minimum fine; license/privilege suspension for six months |
| Florida | Suspension of license and registration until reinstatement fee is paid and non-cancelable coverage is secured; $150 fee for first reinstatement |
| Georgia | Suspended registration with $25 lapse fee and $60 reinstatement fee. Pay any other registration fees and vehicle ad valorem taxes due |
| Hawaii | Fine: $500 fine or community service granted by judge. Either license suspension for three months or a required nonrefundable insurance policy in force for six months |
| Idaho | Fine: $75; license suspension until financial proof. No reinstatement fee. |
| Illinois | Fine: minimum of $500; License plate suspension until $100 reinstatement fee and insurance proof |
| Indiana | License/registration suspension for 90 days to one year |
| Iowa | Fine: $500 if in accident; Otherwise, fine: $250; community service in lieu of fine. Possible citation/warning if pulled over plus removal of plates and registration possible when pulled over without insurance and reissued upon payment of fine or completed community service, proof of insurance, and $15 fee; possible impoundment when pulled over |
| Kansas | Fine: $300 to $1000 and/or confinement in jail up to six months; license/registration suspension; reinstatement fee: $100 |
| Kentucky | Fine: $500 to $1000 fine and/or sentenced up to 90 days in jail; license plates and registration revoked for one year or until proof of insurance is shown |
| Louisiana | Fine: $500 to $1000; If in car accident, fine plus registration revoked and driving privileges suspended for 180 days |
| Maine | Fine: $100 to $500; suspension of license and registration until proof of insurance |
| Maryland | Lose license plates and vehicle registration privileges; pay uninsured motorist penalty fees for each lapse of insurance — $150 for the first 30 days, $7 for each day thereafter; Pay a restoration fee of up to $25 for a vehicle's registration |
| Massachusetts | Fine: $500 to $5000 fine and/or imprisonment for one year or less |
| Michigan | Fine: $200 to $500 fine and/or imprisonment for one year or less; license suspension for 30 days or until proof of insurance; $25 service fee to Secretary of State |
| Minnesota | Fine: $200 to $1000 (or community service) and/or imprisonment for up to 90 days; License and registration revoked for no more than 12 months |
| Mississippi | Fine: $1000; driving privileges suspended for one year or until proof of insurance |
| Missouri | Four points against driving record; driver may be supervised; suspended until proof of insurance with $20 reinstatement fee |
| Montana | Fine: $250 to $500 fine and/or imprisonment for no more than 10 days |
| Nebraska | License and registration suspension; reinstatement fee of $50 for each; proof of insurance to remain on file for three years |
| Nevada | Fine: $250 to $1,000 depending on length of lapse; registration suspension — until payment of reinstatement fee and, depending on circumstances, an SR-22 (proof of financial responsiblity) if lapsed more than 90 days; reinstatement fee: $250 |
| New Hampshire | Not a mandatory insurance state. Proof of insurance may be required as the result of a conviction, crash involvement, or administrative action. If you are required to file proof of insurance and vehicles are registered in your name, you will be required to file an Owner’s SR-22 Certificate of Insurance. |
| New Jersey | Fine: $300 to $1000; license suspension for one year; pay surcharges for three years in the amount of $250 per year |
| New Mexico | Fine: up to $300 and/or imprisoned for 90 days; license suspension |
| New York | Fine: up to $1500 if involved in accident plus $750 civil penalty; license and registration suspension – revoked for one year; suspension of license if without insurance for 90 days; suspension lasts as long as registration suspension; Suspension of registration: equal to time without insurance or pays $8/day up to thirty days for which financial security was not in effect, $10/day from the thirty-first to the sixtieth day $12/day from the sixtieth to the ninetieth day and proof of security is provided. Or for the same time as the vehicle was operated without insurance. |
| North Carolina | Fine: $50; registration suspension until proof of financial responsibility but 30-day suspension if in car accident or knowingly driving without insurance; $50 restoration fee plus license plate fee |
| North Dakota | Fine: up to $1500 and/or 30 days in prison; 14 points against license plus suspension; Proof of insurance must be provided for one year; license with a notation requiring that person keep proof of liability insurance on file with the department. The fee for this license is $50, and the fee to remove this notation is $50. |
| Ohio | License/plates/registration suspension until requirements are met and $100 reinstatement fee is paid; maintain special high-risk coverage on file with the BMV for three to five years; If involved in accident without insurance: all above penalties and a security suspension for two plus years and an indefinite judgment suspension (until all damages are satisfied) |
| Oklahoma | Fine: $250; jail time up to 30 days; license suspension with $275 reinstatement fee. Police can seize license plates and assign temporary plates and liability insurance — in effect for 10 days and can also impound the vehicle. The cost of the temporary coverage is added to the administrative fee and any fines paid for plates to be returned. If car impounded, owner must also pay towing and storage fees. |
| Oregon | Fine: $130-$1000 ($260 is the presumptive fine); If involved in accident — at least a one year license suspension; proof of financial responsibility required for three years |
| Pennsylvania | Registration suspended for three months (unless lapse was for less than 31 days and vehicle not operated during that time); $88 restoration fee plus proof of insurance required to get it back; $500 civil penalty fee is optional in lieu of registration suspension plus $88 restoration fee — can only use this option once within a 12-month period |
| Rhode Island | Fine: $100 to $500; license and registration suspension up to three months; reinstatement fee: $30 to $50 |
| South Carolina | Fine: $100-$200 or 30-day imprisonment; failure to surrender registration and plates when insurance lapses; license/registration suspended until proof of insurance plus $200 reinstatement fee |
| South Dakota | Fine: $100 and/or 30 days imprisonment; license suspension for 30 days to one year; filing proof of insurance (SR-22) with the state for three years from date of conviction. Failure to file proof will result in suspension of vehicle registration, license plates, and driver license. |
| Tennessee | Pay $25 coverage failure fee within 30 days of notice; if not paid, then an additional $100 coverage failure fee with suspension or revocation of registration plus reinstatement fee of no more than $25 |
| Texas | Fine: $175 to $350 fine; plus, pay up to a $250 surcharge every year for three years (may be reduced with certain requirements) |
| Utah | Fine: $400; license suspension until proof of insurance (maintained for three years) and $100 reinstatement fee |
| Vermont | Fine: up to $500; license suspended until proof of insurance |
| Virginia | Fine: may pay $500 Uninsured Motorists Vehicle fee to drive without insurance at your own risk. If this fee is not paid in lieu of insurance, all driving and vehicle registration privileges will be suspended until a $500 statutory fee is paid, proof of insurance is filed for three years, and a reinstatement fee (if applicable) is paid |
| Washington | Fine: Up to $250 or more |
| West Virginia | Fine: $200 to $5000; license suspended for 30 days with reinstatement fees, unless there's proof of insurance and $200 penalty fee |
| Wisconsin | Fine: up to $500 |
| Wyoming | Fine: up to $750 fine and up to six months in jail |
The penalties are stiff and mean that driving without insurance is simply not an option.
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Will a suspended license make my insurance rates go up?
In many cases, if your license gets suspended, your insurance rates may go up. Typically, a license suspension is due to risky driving behavior. Raising your rates is the insurer’s way of reducing the risk of covering you and other drivers that may be more likely to get into accidents in the future. Finding cheap high-risk auto insurance isn’t easy, so if your license was suspended for reckless behavior, it will be difficult to find good rates.
If you choose to drive with a suspended license, this may also affect your auto insurance. Like other risky behaviors, this can give them the right to either raise your rates or cancel your coverage. The decision may vary from one insurer to another, so it’s best to ask your provider directly.
Let’s look at how your driving record affects your auto insurance rates. Just one ticket raises your rates substantially. A suspended license will raise them even more.
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record
| Insurance Company | Clean Record | One Accident | One Speeding Ticket | One DUI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $160 | $225 | $188 | $270 |
| American Family | $117 | $176 | $136 | $194 |
| Farmers | $139 | $198 | $173 | $193 |
| Geico | $80 | $132 | $106 | $216 |
| Liberty Mutual | $174 | $234 | $212 | $313 |
| Nationwide | $115 | $161 | $137 | $237 |
| Progressive | $105 | $186 | $140 | $140 |
| State Farm | $86 | $102 | $96 | $112 |
| Travelers | $99 | $139 | $134 | $206 |
| USAA | $59 | $78 | $67 | $108 |
Why do licenses get suspended?
While the details may vary from state to state, there are basic reasons why the authorities might suspend your driver’s license.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)
- Unpaid traffic tickets or an excess of points
- Reckless driving charges
- A lapse in auto insurance
Suspension may be definite (with an end date) or indefinite (requiring a payment, action, or another qualifying factor). This is different from your license being revoked in that it’s temporary.
What exceptions are there to a suspended license?
While the courts realize that while the law sometimes requires a person’s driver’s license to be suspended, the day-to-day reality of not having a driver’s license can have a catastrophic impact on their livelihood and family. It can seriously limit your ability to perform essential activities such as work, school, shopping, and necessary errands.
Because of this, the courts sometimes grant exceptions for drivers with suspended licenses. This would allow you a measure of relief from the suspension so you can drive for essential activities.
- A hardship license- Also called a restricted license, if your license has been suspended, a hardship license allows you to drive a limited distance. That way, you can take care of family or personal obligations within that distance.
- Work or school exception- Rather than limiting the distance, as with a hardship license, this exception allows you to drive to and from work or school. If you’re caught driving for any other reason, the exception would likely be withdrawn.
- Medical exception- If you or a member of your family has a health condition that requires periodic medical appointments, surgery, or therapy, the court may provide an exception to allow driving for those purposes. Again, if you’re caught driving for other purposes. the court would likely cancel the exception.
Because these exceptions require you to be insured, some insurance companies will provide you with coverage appropriate to your specific suspension and exceptions. For example, if your current policy does not provide coverage, or if you need to purchase new insurance, you may be able to get high-risk insurance for the period of your suspension.
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Getting Car Insurance After Your License is Suspended
If your license is suspended, you do not have a valid driver’s license and therefore cannot buy insurance. But your existing policy likely won’t be canceled, and if the court allows exceptions, you may still qualify for some degree of coverage. Even if your insurance company allows you to keep the policy without a hardship license or similar exception, you won’t be listed as a covered driver.
It’s best to avoid suspension entirely. However, if your license is suspended, talk to the court about possible exceptions. You can also talk to your insurance provider to ensure that your coverage is suitable and doesn’t lapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a suspended license impact auto insurance?
A suspended license can have various effects on your auto insurance. Firstly, most insurance companies require a valid driver’s license to provide coverage. If your license is suspended, your insurance company may cancel your policy or refuse to renew it. Additionally, having a suspended license indicates a higher risk to insurers, potentially leading to increased premiums or difficulty in finding affordable coverage.
Will my auto insurance be automatically canceled if my license is suspended?
It depends on the insurance company and their policies. Some insurers may choose to cancel your policy as soon as they become aware of your suspended license, while others may allow you to keep the coverage for the remaining period of your policy. It’s crucial to contact your insurance provider and inform them about your suspended license to understand how it will affect your specific situation.
Can I still get auto insurance with a suspended license?
While it may be more challenging, it is possible to find auto insurance with a suspended license. However, your options may be limited, and you might encounter higher premiums or specialized insurance companies that cater to high-risk drivers. It’s advisable to reach out to insurance agents or brokers who can help you find suitable coverage tailored to your needs.
Will my insurance rates increase if my license is suspended?
Typically, having a suspended license is seen as an indicator of increased risk by insurance companies. As a result, you may experience higher insurance rates when your policy is up for renewal or if you need to obtain new coverage. Insurance companies consider factors such as your driving record, violations, and the reason for the license suspension when determining the premiums.
How long will a suspended license affect my auto insurance rates?
The duration of how long a suspended license affects your auto insurance rates can vary depending on your insurance company’s policies. Generally, the impact of a suspended license on your rates diminishes over time as you demonstrate responsible driving behavior and your driving record improves. It’s advisable to check with your insurer regarding their specific guidelines on how long the rates may be affected.
What should I do if my license is suspended and my insurance is canceled?
If your license is suspended and your insurance policy is canceled, it’s important to take appropriate steps to rectify the situation. Start by addressing the reason for your license suspension and work towards resolving it. Once you have a valid driver’s license reinstated, contact insurance providers to inquire about coverage options for drivers with a previously suspended license. Working with an experienced insurance agent can help you navigate through the process effectively.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.