How to Get Car Insurance With a Suspended License

You’ll likely need car insurance even if your license is suspended to avoid coverage gaps and to get your license reinstated.

Jess Ullrich
Written byJess Ullrich
Jess Ullrich
Jess UllrichInsurance Writer
  • 10+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics

  • Former associate finance editor for Investopedia

Jess is a subject matter expert in insurance, banking, and other personal finance topics. Her byline has appeared in numerous top web media, including Investopedia.

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Sarah Archambault
Sarah Archambault
  • Experienced personal finance writer

  • Background working with banks and insurance companies

Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark Friedlander
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
  • Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated October 29, 2024

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*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 29, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 29, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

You could end up with a suspended license after a driving under the influence (DUI) charge, unpaid fines, or if you’ve accumulated too many traffic violations. But even if you’ve lost your license, it’s usually still important to keep your car insurance active.

Getting car insurance is often challenging with a suspended license — especially if your former insurance dropped your coverage or increased your premiums significantly.[1] Drivers with suspended licenses often have to consider alternative insurance options to avoid harsh legal consequences and a lapse in coverage.

If you have a suspended license, here’s what you should know about comparing car insurance quotes and finding coverage.

Quick Facts
  • Your lender may require you to maintain car insurance coverage if you have an auto loan, and the same is true if you lease a vehicle.

  • To obtain auto coverage (and eventually reinstate your license), you may need an SR-22 certificate, which serves as proof that you meet your state’s minimum insurance requirements.

  • Driving with a suspended license is illegal, even if you have proof of insurance.

Three ways to get car insurance with no license

Fortunately, you can get car insurance even with a suspended driver’s license. But it could be more difficult, especially if your car insurance company canceled your policy. If your insurer hasn’t canceled your policy, contact your insurance agent and discuss your situation to determine your best option.

Here are a few ways to get auto insurance with no license:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/789c6c481b/car-and-driving-96x96-green_007-driver.svg

    Designate a primary driver

    Some insurers let you name a primary driver, such as your spouse or child, on your auto insurance policy. This person will be the one who drives your car most often. Contact your insurer to determine if this is an option in your case.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/25057fcc72/family-96x96-orange_003-man.svg

    List yourself as an excluded driver

    You might also be able to list yourself as an excluded driver to maintain your coverage. This designation will mean your car insurance policy doesn’t cover you, though it could cover your family members.

  • car in carage

    Only get parked car coverage

    With this type of coverage — also known as storage coverage — your car remains insured for certain incidents while parked or stored. Just keep in mind that the vehicle won’t have coverage on the road.

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Do you need car insurance without a driver’s license?

It’s important to have consistent auto insurance coverage for a few reasons, even if you won’t be driving for a while. If you have an outstanding auto loan or lease, you’ll likely need to maintain your coverage as a condition of your contract with the lender or leasing company. A lapse in coverage could result in your lender issuing force-placed insurance or repossessing the vehicle.

If you aren’t the only driver in your home, you’ll also need car insurance to protect any family members who get behind the wheel. Driving without insurance is illegal, and doing so could result in hefty fines and even jail time. Plus, insurance companies frown on coverage gaps, which might make it difficult to get car insurance again as you work toward having your license reinstated.

Cost of car insurance for drivers without a license

A license suspension can cause your insurance rates to spike because your insurer will likely view you as a high-risk driver. U.S. drivers with a clean record pay an average cost of $104 per month for liability insurance, while drivers with a suspended license pay $140 per month.

License suspensions are often the result of risky behaviors on the road, such as DUIs, multiple moving violations, or unpaid tickets. These behaviors could increase your likelihood of getting into a serious accident or defaulting on your car insurance premiums, so your insurer is likely to hike your rates after a suspension.[2]

Comparing coverage from different insurance companies and opting for a higher deductible could help reduce your premiums after a license suspension.[3] These insurers offer the cheapest coverage, on average, for drivers with a suspended license.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote for High-Risk Drivers
COUNTRY Financial$21
Auto-Owners$41
NJM$43
USAA$53
State Farm$62
Erie$62
GEICO$64
Mile Auto$72
Allstate$72
Metromile$86
American Family$87
Root$87
Progressive$93
National General$93
Safeco$94
Nationwide$99
Dairyland$102
Travelers$105
CSAA$108
Mercury$113
Direct Auto$118
Clearcover$126
Farmers$129
Chubb$131
State Auto$133
Commonwealth Casualty$133
The General$135
Shelter$138
Bristol West$140
The Hartford$142
21st Century$142
Elephant$145
GAINSCO$162
AssuranceAmerica$167
Foremost$179
Liberty Mutual$180
Amica$213
Infinity$217
Hugo$306
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Car insurance with an SR-22 certificate

You might need an SR-22 form to get car insurance and eventually reinstate your license. SR-22s serve as proof of financial responsibility for drivers with past DUIs, serious moving violations, or multiple motor vehicle accidents in a short time. Your state will generally inform you if you need an SR-22 by court order.

Your insurer will often file an SR-22 on your behalf, and you’ll likely need to pay a filing fee each year it’s required. Depending on your state, you may need to carry an SR-22 for three years. During this time, your car insurance rates will likely be higher.

Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for drivers with an SR-22 in place.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Insurance Company
Average Quote for Drivers With an SR-22
COUNTRY Financial$21
NJM$37
Auto-Owners$43
USAA$56
Erie$61
GEICO$67
State Farm$67
Mile Auto$69
Allstate$76
Root$78
Metromile$80
American Family$92
Safeco$97
Progressive$97
National General$98
Mercury$99
CSAA$102
Nationwide$103
Dairyland$106
Travelers$109
State Auto$111
Clearcover$115
The Hartford$120
Direct Auto$120
Shelter$130
Elephant$136
Chubb$136
The General$137
Farmers$137
21st Century$141
Commonwealth Casualty$142
Bristol West$149
GAINSCO$152
Foremost$168
Liberty Mutual$169
AssuranceAmerica$176
Amica$186
Infinity$221
Hugo$286
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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How to reinstate a suspended license

The process of reinstating your suspended license can vary slightly by state and the type of offense that resulted in the suspension. But in general, the process could look something like this:

  1. Obtain an SR-22 or car insurance, if needed.

  2. Pay any outstanding fines.

  3. Attend traffic school, if needed.

  4. Provide proof of insurance to the DMV.

  5. Pay any reinstatement fees.

  6. Contact your insurance company to get your SR-22 removed, if needed.

Good to Know

The time frame for reinstating your license can vary based on your unique case and specific needs. For example, it’ll likely take longer if you need to attend traffic school or save up enough to pay reinstatement fees. Following proper procedures and meeting applicable legal requirements is essential to streamline the process.

Car insurance with a suspended license FAQs

If you’re still wondering about getting car insurance with a suspended license, this additional information may help.

  • Who should you list as the primary driver if you buy car insurance without a license?

    If you buy car insurance without a license, the primary driver should be the person who drives your vehicle most often. This could be your spouse or child or another trusted family member or friend.

  • Why should you insure a vehicle that you don’t plan to drive?

    You should still insure a vehicle you don’t plan to drive to maintain consistent coverage. This is especially important if you have an auto loan or lease, as lenders or leasing companies often require consistent coverage as part of your contract. It may also be more difficult to get an auto policy in the future with a significant coverage gap, or you might pay higher rates.

  • Why do insurance companies prefer drivers with licenses?

    In general, it’s easier for a licensed driver with a clean driving record to obtain car insurance coverage at the best rate. Insurers could view unlicensed drivers and people with suspended licenses and past issues in their driving history as a higher risk to insure.

  • Where can I find the cheapest car insurance?

    Car insurance rates vary by company and location, so not one insurance company offers the cheapest rates across all areas. Other factors, like your age and driving record, also affect your rates. It’s a good idea to obtain and compare car insurance quotes from a few companies to find the coverage you need at an affordable cost.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
  2. Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance."
Jess Ullrich
Jess UllrichInsurance Writer

Jess is a personal finance writer who's been creating financial and business content for over a decade. Her work is published on Investopedia, MoneyWise, NextAdvisor, The HuffPost, and more. Prior to freelancing full-time, Jess was an editor at Investopedia, The Balance, and FinanceBuzz. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Sarah Archambault
Sarah Archambault
  • Experienced personal finance writer

  • Background working with banks and insurance companies

Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.

Featured in

media logomedia logo
Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
  • Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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