Can you get auto insurance with a suspended license?
Finding auto insurance with a suspended license is difficult but not impossible. Keeping your current policy may be the best option to avoid a costly insurance lapse.
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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: Jun 22, 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: Jun 22, 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
- Obtaining an auto insurance policy may become extremely difficult with a suspended driver’s license
- While you may be tempted to cancel your auto insurance during the period of license suspension, this might result in much higher auto insurance rates when you attempt to get a new policy
- Consider a hardship or restricted license and buy SR-22 insurance to get back on the road again
You can still purchase auto insurance after your license has been suspended, but typically only after it has been restored. You would need to apply for a conditional or restricted license, also known as a “hardship” license, to get your suspended license back.
Keep reading to learn how to get a restricted license and where to buy car insurance with a suspended license at affordable rates.
Can you get car insurance with a suspended license?
The simple answer is yes. However, there’s no guarantee that many insurance companies will open a new policy for a high-risk driver with a restricted license.
Drivers’ licenses are often suspended for DUI, DWI, driving without insurance, unpaid tickets, an excessive number of at-fault accidents, and driving without tags, to name a few. Because insurance companies typically offer lower rates to the risk-averse, they will likely view this behavior as irresponsible and deserving of higher policy premiums.
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How to Get Auto Insurance With a Suspended License
Getting car insurance with a suspended or restricted license is still possible. There are some things you might be able to do to improve your chances:
- Although not all insurance companies will let you do this, you could list a family member with a spotless driving record as the primary driver on your policy.
- Obtain approval for a restricted or hardship license, which enables you to drive in special situations, such as to work or school.
- Insure the vehicle under the name that appears on the title, if different than yours.
- Get SR-22 insurance.
Most Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices demand an SR-22 as proof of vehicle liability insurance for high-risk drivers. An SR-22 isn’t actually insurance coverage but a filing attached to a personal auto liability insurance policy proving you carry minimum auto insurance.
The need for an SR-22 is typically linked to a history of moving violations, including DUIs, DWIs, or other severe traffic infractions that result in the revocation or suspension of a license. You may also need SR-22 insurance if you are caught driving with the required insurance coverage, as per your state’s laws.
Can you get car insurance with a revoked license?
You can still buy auto insurance if the state revokes your driver’s license. Your monthly rates will be higher, and most high-risk drivers need to submit an SR-22 insurance certificate in some states. Your state DMV will let you know if you need one.
Can car insurance companies see if your license is suspended?
Yes. Car insurance companies have access to DMV electronic reports. They can check instantaneously to see if your driver’s license is current, as well as what, if any, citations have been issued lately.
When looking for auto insurance, you must enter your driver’s license number, Social Security number, and other information about you and your vehicle. Insurance companies will use these details to review your driving record.
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The Best Insurance for a Suspended License
Not all companies that provide standard auto insurance cover drivers whose licenses are suspended or revoked. It’s completely up to each company to insure a driver on a case-by-case basis.
Several of the businesses that do include Progressive, Travelers, and MetLife, Nationwide, and Allstate. Companies offering non-standard auto insurance include Acceptance and The General.
Consider shopping with the non-profit American Insurance Planned Service Office (AIPSO) as a last resort. It is in charge of helping insure the automobile insurance residual market that consists of historically high-risk or first-time drivers and may offer auto insurance to you under certain conditions.
The Average Cost of Auto Insurance With a Suspended License
Many insurance companies will still underwrite high-risk drivers, even after a lapse in coverage, but it may cost a lot more.
Allstate offers the highest rates. If you’re looking for the cheapest auto insurance for a suspended license, compare rates from the best companies for high-risk drivers.
Other easy ways to get insurance after a suspended license include taking a defensive driving course, bundling policies, and comparing quotes from different companies. If you’re an active or retired member of the military, consider USAA auto insurance, as it offers competitively low rates to military families.
What To Do After a Suspended License
First, don’t automatically cancel your existing auto insurance just to save money in the short term. When you consider returning to insure a car after a lapse, you’re guaranteed to pay higher monthly rates.
You should not drive your car without insurance, as this is illegal. It’s better to reduce your coverage to the state minimum and park it in a garage while you’re not driving.
Next, work quickly and diligently toward reinstating your driver’s license, if possible.
Should I carry car insurance after my license is suspended?
When possible, you should keep your car insurance to avoid lapses. A lapse in auto insurance carries its own separate inherent penalties.
Even if your license is revoked or suspended, you must legally maintain insurance on your vehicle as long as the tags are still in effect. You risk the following penalties if you don’t keep your tagged vehicle insured:
- Fines, which might include impounding costs if the vehicle is towed
- A longer period of driver’s license suspension
- Suspension of vehicle registration
- No insurance in the event of a car accident
- Increased insurance costs after receiving a new auto insurance quote
Because your driving record influences the cost of your insurance, a suspended license will likely still result in higher rates than usual, even a few years after you fully restore your driving privileges.
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Can I reduce auto insurance coverage after my license has been suspended?
You can lower or decrease your car insurance coverage if your license is suspended and you’re not currently driving. You could remove collision coverage, for example, if you’re certain the car will not be moving any time soon.
Maintaining comprehensive coverage might be useful. However, that depends on long-term parking/storage for your vehicle. Check with your insurance company to find the absolute minimum insurance you must carry during a period of vehicle non-use.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance for a Suspended License
The number one rule when shopping for car insurance is to shop around. Different companies interpret risk differently, which explains the wide variations in insurance rates that any two companies offer the same driver based on the same criteria.
To find the best insurance for a suspended license, you should shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best rates.
You can’t legally drive without insurance, so it’s a good idea to hold onto your current policy if you can. A lapse in insurance coverage can end up costing a lot more, and you can’t drive legally without insurance.
Talk to your current insurer about your options before making a decision about dropping your policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone drive my car if my license is suspended?
Yes, someone else can drive your car if your tags are not expired and you are an insured driver.
However, insurance is the potential issue here. You might be clear if you still have insurance covering the drivers you permit.
Don’t do it if your insurance claims you no longer qualify because of your license status. Always read the fine print.
Can I register a vehicle with a suspended license?
The registration of a vehicle does not require a license. No relationship exists between driving ability and insurance, so you can continue having automobile insurance.
Do you need an SR-22 if your license was suspended?
If your driver’s license has been suspended, your state DMV may require you to obtain an SR-22 document, also known as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility.
An SR-22 proves that you have purchased the auto insurance coverage the state mandates to get your driving privileges back and is usually required if your license was suspended for DUI/DWI or driving with proper insurance.
How can I find the best car insurance for a suspended license?
To find the best car insurance for a suspended license, it’s crucial to shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies. Different insurance providers assess risk differently, leading to variations in rates. Discuss your options with your current insurer before making a decision about canceling your policy.
Should I maintain car insurance after my license is suspended?
It is advisable to maintain car insurance even if your license is suspended to avoid lapses in coverage. Driving without insurance is illegal, and maintaining insurance will help you avoid penalties and potential higher rates when you reinstate your license.
Can car insurance companies see if your license is suspended?
Yes, car insurance companies have access to DMV electronic reports and can instantly check the status of your driver’s license and any recent citations or violations.
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.