Cheap Car Insurance Tips for a Bad Driving Record
Cheap auto insurance for those with a bad driving record might sound like a myth. If you’re looking for car insurance quotes, you may wonder if having a poor driving record will cost you.
That’s a really good question. If you have a few non-moving violations or even a speeding ticket, you may have a clean driving record. But what counts as a “bad driving record”?
Here are a few examples:
These are just a few major offenses that could prevent you from finding the best cheap car insurance for your vehicle.
But don’t fret, if you have one of the examples listed above on your record or more than a few speeding tickets, you can still find cheap car insurance quotes with our helpful tips below.
Be forthcoming about your record
While initially searching for a quote, you may think you’re going to get away with not mentioning your bad driving record. That could be because when you get a quick quote online, the systems don’t run checks on your DMV driving record.
It’s only after you take the next steps after getting a cheap car insurance quote, that an insurer looks into your driving record. Even if you’ve been in accidents that occurred more than 3 years ago, you need to disclose that information.
Insurers can pull your CLUE report, which despite sounding like the summary of a classic board game isn’t fun if your name shows up in the “whodunit” folder.
If you realize that you have a bad driving record and you’re ready to be upfront about it, you’re probably wondering, “How do I find cheap car insurance with a bad driving record?”
Here are some ways to go about it:
Research Alternative Insurers
There are a lot of options when it comes to getting cheap car insurance quotes and several other companies exist than those with funny commercials. Take the time to look for other lesser-known companies that can offer better coverage.
Look for discounts
There are lots of discounts available when you are trying to find cheap auto insurance for a bad driving record. If you are a good student or have taken defensive driving courses, you might be eligible for discounts.
Not all of the best cheap car insurance discounts have to do with a driving record. Some depend on what kind of safety features your car has and whether or not it has a car alarm. So, don’t discount yourself before you even take a look.
Don’t get more violations
Your driving record from the last 7 to 10 years may be used to determine how much you pay for auto insurance, but the last 12 to 36 months are the most influential to potential insurers.
That means you seriously need to avoid receiving any more violations on your record. If you don’t, you run the risk of being dropped by a potential insurer completely.
Don’t let your insurance lapse
Cheap auto insurance for bad driving records is possible to find, but if you let your insurance lapse, even for just one month, you may see those chances evaporate.
This is because insurers assume that you’re driving without coverage at all, making you appear to be a much higher risk driver.
Not to mention, driving without auto insurance is a big risk that could come with serious consequences.
Best car insurance companies for drivers with bad records
The best car insurance company for drivers with bad records truly depends on what type of incidents are on your record. Different insurers treat incidents differently in how much they will cost drivers to insure their car.
Some of the best car insurance companies for high-risk drivers are:
Geico and Progressive, when compared to others, offer cheap auto insurance for bad driving record drivers.
However, those particular findings and comparisons are for an individual living in Jacksonville, Florida with accidents and tickets occurring within the last year.
That probably doesn’t define you. So, you’ll need to do some work to find the best policy for you.
Finding the best policy for you
It may feel like finding cheap auto insurance for a bad driving record is impossible. But fear not! It’s still possible, but it will take a little more than spending 15 minutes to see if you can save.
If you don’t have luck initially, don’t feel like you’ll be doomed to pay high insurance rates for the rest of your driving life. You should search again every six months to see if you have earned cheaper car insurance rates.
If you haven’t looked for new auto insurance rates recently CarShield has tips on why you should.
After all, that bad driving record is in your rearview and the further away it gets the lower your rates will be.
